Share pony cantering trouble

[Elrothiel02]

I have been sharing a lovely mare for a few months now but I am having trouble with our trot to canter transitions in the school. When I ask for canter she throws her head up and suddenly down as though she is going to buck (but she doesn't) and then it's hit and miss as to whether she'll canter. Generally she just starts rushing into a really speedy strong trot and her head comes up in the air. Half halts don't seem to work to calm her or slow her down. I do a 20m circle which gets her back into a nice chilled out trot but as soon as we go back near the track she starts rushing and getting strong again.
I'm just wondering what sort of thing I can do to help? I've been avoiding cantering now for over a month because I don't want to ruin her or anything and I'm worried it's something I'm doing. It doesn't happen when we're out hacking. This is my first share and I really don't want to get anything wrong!
I have lessons every two weeks but these are at a riding school a few miles away. So I just really want to know what can I do to stop her from rushing and getting strong in the trot and get her to canter instead?

 

[smja]

Three things spring to mind:
- pony doesn't really understand canter aids, or isn't balanced enough to canter in the school. Does she canter ok when owner rides?
- you may not be clear enough with your aids for canter, so pony isn't sure what you want.
- you say 'nice chilled out trot' - is there enough impulsion for the transition?

Perhaps the owner could come and see what happening, and give you advice?
Or ask an instructor to come out to you in place of your normal lesson?

 

[PorkChop]

If she works in a soft low outline in trot then I would go onto a large circle and increase the size of the trot steps until she picks up canter from the bigger trot.

You could also teach her to canter from a voice aid, backed up from your leg until the penny drops.

If you can do the above in a field rather than a school it will help alot

 

[chestnut cob]

I would find an instructor who will come to the yard and give you some lessons on your share pony. Ask the pony's owner who they use and talk to them about the things you're struggling with. Whenever I've had a sharer I would always prefer them to talk to me about anything they're unsure of.

 

[Elrothiel02]

Thank you all for your suggestions, I think I will get an instructor to come out and give me a lesson on her.