New loan + cantering

[Evie_m]

Hi!

I've just started with a new loan and she is the sweetest mare and exactly what I'm looking for! We've been spending time getting to know each other and riding in the school. (hoping to hack this weekend and eventually take her out to local shows etc) She's also only 6 so still fairly young and new to things.

So far I've only ridden her in the school and she is great apart from when we go into canter. The first canter of each ride she is always super fast, as soon as I nudge she starts to bolt around the school. Since the first time this happened I've gotten much better at bringing her back to trot faster but it's still a bit of a problem. And after this first canter, each canter is great and much more controllable!

Any advice on how I can stop this and ensure that the first canter of a ride is at the speed I want, a bit slower and more controllable? I've been trying to do lots of transitions with her but is there anything else?

I hope this makes sense, thanks so much!

 

[ycbm]

Hi, I am wondering if understandable nerves are making you ask a little too firmly the first time? If not, then from your description of things getting better during a session and from one session to the next, then repetition is likely to solve this one as you get to know each other.

Do you have a trainer you can ask to help you? If not it would probably be good to get one.

 

[Afon_34]

I imagine you’ll get lot of responses but my first thought is get an instructor to help- someone in the flesh who can see what’s happening and help you

 

[blitznbobs]

Hi!

I've just started with a new loan and she is the sweetest mare and exactly what I'm looking for! We've been spending time getting to know each other and riding in the school. (hoping to hack this weekend and eventually take her out to local shows etc) She's also only 6 so still fairly young and new to things.

So far I've only ridden her in the school and she is great apart from when we go into canter. The first canter of each ride she is always super fast, as soon as I nudge she starts to bolt around the school. Since the first time this happened I've gotten much better at bringing her back to trot faster but it's still a bit of a problem. And after this first canter, each canter is great and much more controllable!

Any advice on how I can stop this and ensure that the first canter of a ride is at the speed I want, a bit slower and more controllable? I've been trying to do lots of transitions with her but is there anything else?

I hope this makes sense, thanks so much!

How balanced is she? I personally wouldnt be overly bothered, going forward and then coming back is ok with me but if I really wanted to stop it Id probably go for asking for canter pointing at the end of the arena on a 10m circle and in a slight shoulder in, it would be very difficult to gallop off on a 10m circle

 

[Evie_m]

Thanks for your responses, super helpful! Yes I'm not super bothered at the moment just wanted to know if there was anything else I should be doing. I'm trying to circle her as soon as she goes off which helps slow her down, and yeah I'm sure with repetition and working on this it'll get better.

I don't have an instructor but will definitely look into getting one!

Thank you

 

[starbucker]

Congrats on finding a new loan horse! Second getting an instructor, hard to say without knowing the horse. Make sure you've warmed up nicely got a nice calm walk trot transitions, serpentines with a transition mixed in etc then got a good forward collected trot, not rushed trot before asking for canter as they ideally need to lift not run into canter. Depends if the horse is fit and used to working through their back correctly / it could also be a you/her balance issue, especially if the arena is small and tight. Could throw in some pole excercises to get them thinking about lifting up for example helped one of my horses

 

[Annagain]

I agree with all the others that an instructor on the ground would be best placed to help you. Maybe if you let us know your rough location, someone would be able to recommend someone local to you?

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

Instructor or ask the owner (sorry not sure if you've got a full or part loan) if this is normal?

Chances are at 6 she's maybe a bit unbalanced and rushing into the transition because she's weak.

 

[Evie_m]

I agree with all the others that an instructor on the ground would be best placed to help you. Maybe if you let us know your rough location, someone would be able to recommend someone local to you?

I'm in the Kent area, thank you!

 

[Evie_m]

Thanks so much guys, she's already getting much better and I'll talk to her owner. Any (pole) exercises to help her become more balanced and build up a bit of muscle? Thank you!

 

[Yeomans]

Hi Evie, I am in the Kent area. Depending on where you are in Kent I know of an excellent teacher who can help you.

 

[Evie_m]

Hi Evie, I am in the Kent area. Depending on where you are in Kent I know of an excellent teacher who can help you.

Great, I'm near Keston, Bromley

 

[Yeomans]

We are in Goudhurst so think it will be too far for him to travel but if I see anyone that I know in that area I will let you know.

 

[Ratface]

Hi Evie, I am in the Kent area. Depending on where you are in Kent I know of an excellent teacher who can help you.

Me too!