ChristmasPixie
Well-Known Member
Hi,
Just after a quick bit of advice re canter.
I have had my boy for a couple of years now. About 6 months ago I moved to a yard with a school so have been able to play at getting him a bit more balanced.
Out hacking we are fine whatever the speed and he is very balanced in canter, has a nice transition and I can shorten or lengthen the canter at will easily. However, in the school, on a circle it is a whole different ball game!! We have mastered a nice forward trot, going in a nice shape, good consistant feeling through the reins, bend fab on both reins. When it comes to canter he wants to run from trot into canter, is very unbalanced and often disunited. He is not a lazy ride, but not extra sharp. I don't carry a whip as they seem to freak him out and he is far more settled without one around. He moves well off the leg anyway.
So, do I persevere and do lots of transitions, establish a canter for long enough for him to find his balance (he seems to do this), or concentrate on getting the canter better on the lunge first? ie getting his balance without a rider first? This is really irritating me as I am a balanced, competent rider and feel I am missing the obvious course of action!!! I think I am just lacking confidence in my own schooling abilities for some reason!
Just to add he is 17, so no spring chicken, and did fall at least once on the racetrack which I believe has caused him to be a bit arthritic in his right shoulder and his hocks have obviously had a hard life steeplechasing. I manage this with joint supplements and as instructed by the vet, so he is totally sound 99.9% of the time.
I am not attempting to achieve advanced dressage, but it would be nice to get over this canter transition hurdle! Oh, and I am in the process of getting my daughter's instructor out to tell me what I am doing wrong too!
Thank you if you have managed to read all of my rambling without falling asleep!!!
Just after a quick bit of advice re canter.
I have had my boy for a couple of years now. About 6 months ago I moved to a yard with a school so have been able to play at getting him a bit more balanced.
Out hacking we are fine whatever the speed and he is very balanced in canter, has a nice transition and I can shorten or lengthen the canter at will easily. However, in the school, on a circle it is a whole different ball game!! We have mastered a nice forward trot, going in a nice shape, good consistant feeling through the reins, bend fab on both reins. When it comes to canter he wants to run from trot into canter, is very unbalanced and often disunited. He is not a lazy ride, but not extra sharp. I don't carry a whip as they seem to freak him out and he is far more settled without one around. He moves well off the leg anyway.
So, do I persevere and do lots of transitions, establish a canter for long enough for him to find his balance (he seems to do this), or concentrate on getting the canter better on the lunge first? ie getting his balance without a rider first? This is really irritating me as I am a balanced, competent rider and feel I am missing the obvious course of action!!! I think I am just lacking confidence in my own schooling abilities for some reason!
Just to add he is 17, so no spring chicken, and did fall at least once on the racetrack which I believe has caused him to be a bit arthritic in his right shoulder and his hocks have obviously had a hard life steeplechasing. I manage this with joint supplements and as instructed by the vet, so he is totally sound 99.9% of the time.
I am not attempting to achieve advanced dressage, but it would be nice to get over this canter transition hurdle! Oh, and I am in the process of getting my daughter's instructor out to tell me what I am doing wrong too!
Thank you if you have managed to read all of my rambling without falling asleep!!!
Good idea about the poles too, thanks. Haven't tried walk to canter, will do...