Suggestions for preventing my horse from hollowing before canter?

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appaloosacaz

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Hello,

I'm finding it really hard to stop my horse from hollowing when I do upwards and downwards transitions, in particular transitions up into the canter, has anyone got any suggestions??
 
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Think what you do differently in the trans to within the pace. My guess is sitting, I would start by practicing the transitions in a light/half seat off the horses back, still maintaining that leg to hand connection to keep them round, if the trans is better this way you then need to go back and work on your sitting trot, count 5 sitting to 5 rising beats then 10 of each until you are sitting on a nice soft back. Also it might be that you are unintentionally blocking your lower back during the transition (very common) in which case working on leg rotations in walk pref on the lunge will help you a lot. Also, to add- if your horse is hollowing in the transitions on the lunge it may be a balance issue that needs address with half halts and repetition but without seeing you it is hard to tell :)
 
Sameru said:
Think what you do differently in the trans to within the pace. My guess is sitting, I would start by practicing the transitions in a light/half seat off the horses back, still maintaining that leg to hand connection to keep them round, if the trans is better this way you then need to go back and work on your sitting trot, count 5 sitting to 5 rising beats then 10 of each until you are sitting on a nice soft back. Also it might be that you are unintentionally blocking your lower back during the transition (very common) in which case working on leg rotations in walk pref on the lunge will help you a lot. Also, to add- if your horse is hollowing in the transitions on the lunge it may be a balance issue that needs address with half halts and repetition but without seeing you it is hard to tell :)
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Good stuff here.


I have a similar thing and am sure it's me. Not quite worked out what I do but I suspect my position goes all wrong on the transition upwards and I'm plopping down in the saddle, hollowing my back and perhaps lifting my upper body. Which would all explain hollowing in the horse's back as I do this. I have to concentrate on sitting still and quiet, asking lightly and just waiting for a stride or two, as I seem to rush into canter. And horse being properly forward in the trot in the first place, of course. Might be a similar issue with you?
 
Bernster said:
Good stuff here.


I have a similar thing and am sure it's me. Not quite worked out what I do but I suspect my position goes all wrong on the transition upwards and I'm plopping down in the saddle, hollowing my back and perhaps lifting my upper body. Which would all explain hollowing in the horse's back as I do this. I have to concentrate on sitting still and quiet, asking lightly and just waiting for a stride or two, as I seem to rush into canter. And horse being properly forward in the trot in the first place, of course. Might be a similar issue with you?
Click to expand...

Same with me .... I've been told that If I can hold a good position then it will be much easier to persuade the horse to do the same ( easier said than done?). It might be worth videoing the transition and seeing whether the horse encourages you to 'hollow' so he can?
 
ONe thing that helped my horse - more jump to the trot before asking for the trans up.
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for me it was going straight from walk to canter, but failing that, make sure the trot is lively, but not rushed, keep outside rein slightly tight, so it's steady and calm. xx
 
appaloosacaz said:
Hello,

I'm finding it really hard to stop my horse from hollowing when I do upwards and downwards transitions, in particular transitions up into the canter, has anyone got any suggestions??
Click to expand...
If it is your seat that is causing the problem, maybe a lesson with you being lunged without stirrups might help. Also my instructor does a lot of work on trot transitions up and down, so it is essential to do have the horse working through at all paces.
 
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