Flying changes vs counter canter

[SBJT]

I thought about posting in the other thread but didn’t want to take thing off topic. So situation is that after 2 long years of trying and retraining both horse and myself my flying leads are finally coming along. I focused on that above the counter canter. Now that they’re finally there I can’t seem to get a counter canter... at all. We come across the arena and even if I ask for all the aids to keep some outside bend or keep my outside leg etc, he says nope that’s too hard and proceeds to switch. I’m sure you’re supposed to teach the counter canter first from what I heard, but we’re a little too far past that now. Any thoughts?

 

[TheMule]

Change how you get into the counter canter- with one that has formed a habit to change like yours I would strike off into counter canter at the start of a long side from walk and then aim to hold the counter canter until the end of the long side with plenty of time to make a balanced transition down and lots of praise

 

[milliepops]

Change how you get into the counter canter- with one that has formed a habit to change like yours I would strike off into counter canter at the start of a long side from walk and then aim to hold the counter canter until the end of the long side with plenty of time to make a balanced transition down and lots of praise

yes, I think this is a good plan. Starting off with an instruction to strike off into counter canter, so the horse understands that is the aim, rather than ending up in counter canter via changing the rein from true canter where the horse is sort of invited to change.

FWIW i don't think this is unusual, once they get the idea of changes they often offer them all over the shop, and you have to just patiently teach them that it's on your aid that they should change, not just when they fancy it it's also worth just checking your *position* not just your aid, and make sure you are not subconsciously changing your position as you arrive on the counter canter rein.

 

[SBJT]

Lol that’s not a bad idea I guess I have been approaching from inviting to switch as that’s where I want to go. Ill give the long straight a go, just need the weather to warm up here.

I have an instructor and we made a decision to work on the flying leads first since I want tempi changes but I’d like to have counter canter just in case. I thought for a bit it might be my position so I made sure to really hold it across one change so that he knew that was what I wanted and then... well it fell apart that time cause he basically tried to fight me on it and make the change despite me.

You’re right millipops when they get it they do tend to offer them up at any point, as he loves to do the change and gets really excited about it and anticipate. ?

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Mine can get a bit enthusiastic about flying changes. He had a solid counter canter prior to learning changes, but in the beginning I would do one change at the end of the diagonal and he thought, "oh, she liked that, next time I'll do it myself because I know what to do" he always wants to be ahead of the game.

I really make sure am riding the counter canter. My inside leg stays a bit back, outside leg at the girth and my hips are riding counter canter. If I move/shift my hips or weight too much (although it's very subtle) around a turn it is likely he will try to change as he is very sensitive. I also talk to him to relax him into it sometimes. This really helps. I reassure him that he is doing the right thing.

Starting with striking off directly into counter canter and holding the counter canter for a long side then praising is a great way to go about it. If you find he's still trying to change, you perhaps you can start small. If you strike off in counter canter and get 3 strides in and feel he might change/you're going going lose it, then do a walk transition, reward and relax for a moment. Then slowly build from there adding more time in the counter canter. The horse has to relax into to it, so you've got to communicate and stay relaxed as well.

 

[rara007]

Just echoing above. We were really stuck with even 1m shallow loops ended up with changing and getting stressed about it. Simple changes on the outside track building to counter canter large no simple changes reformed his mentality Good luck.

 

[Goldenstar]

SBJT I think this is a stage you go through sometimes .
I would go into CC from walk and go where you want if the horse changes go straight to walk and then into CC again .
Make sure your prep going into the change is really clear and sometimes make your prep and the change your mind and go on in true or CC depending on where you are.

 

[SBJT]

Thanks all for your ideas and I will absolutely give them a go and report back. I betcha I can get him going from the long wall and start there. Might have to wait till next week now since the weather is so cold ?

Thank you everyone!