How To Canter?

[Horse~Lover~Forever]

I'm pretty much a novice when it comes to riding. I read loads of books about riding and stuff. Apparently the horse I ride at the stables has a lovely canter.

Any tips?

From - A Novice Rider Who Wants To Canter

🐎

 

[Farma]

Have you ever cantered? How much do you ride and what sort of things do you do currently?

 

[Horse~Lover~Forever]

I haven't cantered before but I trot over poles and steer and stuff. I'm pretty much a novice.

 

[Horse~Lover~Forever]

I have lessons every 1-2 weeks

 

[Mari]

You need to have a secure seat & be cantering on the lunge before going solo. Your instructor will tell you when you are ready. Why don't you find a mechanical horse to have a lesson on. It's not the real thing but will give you a feel of what a canter is like. It's hard when you only have a lesson once every 1 or 2 weeks.

 

[Cragrat]

I'd second the mechanical horse!
You think it's going to be naff, or a waste of money, but it's really not!!! (As long as you get a decent instructor). For something like this, you can make masses of progress in a really short time, which can save you hours of lessons on a real horse. For a start, the mechanical horse is consistent, doesn't need steering, stops when you need it to. And the instructor can stand next to you hrlping your position. Obviously a real horse then needs additional skills, but it's do much easier if you already have the position and feel from the mechanical horse.

 

[nato]

I think if you are a complete novice then this is a question best asked to your instructor, not an internet forum.

 

[Princess16]

I think your instructor is the best person to ask. I too am a novice and have started cantering but only because my instructor thought I was ready to. You have to be proficient in seated trot before doing this TBH. Cantering is a more comfortable seat than trot but does take some getting used to.