Improving canter - youngsters

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georgiegirl2

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York
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Hey all,

Twig my 4yo tb is REALLY coming along on the flat. we have cracked trot - i mean SERIOUSLY springing and going up into my hand - I trot round with the biggest grin on my face and my instructor has said it is 8/9 quality sort of trot
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, walk is getting better and so far with my instructor we havent really worked on my canter so was just wondering if anyone had any excercises / tecniques to help improve it? She is now striking off on the the correct leg but doesnt go forward into your hand very well in canter even though she is still pretty quick and slightly hurried and long - any advice on how to get her cantering a bit rounder and going onto the contact? Or is it something which will simply improve as her strength and balance do?
 
Totally agree with GlamourDol - play around with your weight and see what works - coming out of the saddle really helps my 4 yo. (when she's not bucking - lol)

Just noticed you are in York! Me too - know any good livery yards?
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weight does seem to help. i try and get off her back but would really like to start being able to sit up and ride it a bit more without her backing off - i guess its just a balance/strength thing that will come with time!

im based in haxby at the moment - not had a good run with livery yards recently im on my third in a year! The previous two ended up selling up! I must be cursed! we are now at a yard based in haxby - there is a school but i dont think its very rideable so im riding in the showjump field at the moment and we have about 4 miles of tracks round the fields to ride on too and we are allowed on any of our stubble, not been there long and yes on first impression its a little rough round the edges but we have fabulous quality hay and straw and with having two £15 rent per week is a very good deal!!!!

York does seem to be very short on quality livery yards, over the years we have been to a few places now and no where is perfect! where do you keep yours?
 
She does lunge well and we do have a pessoa (we use if on lowest setting) which at my previous yard did seem to help. Unfortunately at my current yard we are a bit stuck, I wont use the arena there as i dont think the footing is good enough and the field i use to excercise her isnt enclosed - lunging her in this unenclosed field is a bit daunting should anything go wrong!
 
GeorgieGirl - I keep mine in Nether Poppleton. Our school isn't level and the grazing is baaaad.
Mate and I doing the run round at the mo looking for new place. Are you at Whincover farm? Looked at a yard in Wigginton last night but think its a no go. Wish there was a place with good facilities! GG center is perfect but about 10 miles too far away! V frustrating! Anyway, sorry - think I have hijacked this post
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good luck with the canter - I think time and patience wil help (frustrating as that is!)
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I'd do lots of transitions if she starts running steady the trot then ask again. She'll soon get so wound up that she'll spring along like she does in trot!
 
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