Teaching a horse to canteR?

S

Skhosu

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 May 2006
Messages
8,193
Visit site
How would you go about it?
I'm considering just putting him round a course of small (like 10cm!) jumps as he will canter over jumps, and trots over trotting poles.
HE paces, we've had him nearly 2 weeks now and he is getting fresher
Also trying to figure out how to break the pacing, whether it is best to pull back or push on to try and get a trot.
Any suggestions?
He is improving very slowly, but just looking for other ideas.
 
Hi there you have'nt said much about age, type or history.
So for now i will just give you clues to what i do when i get young or new unknown horses in.
Firstly i lunge them. Usually with either side reins or more usually the pessoa. This gives me the chance to see how the horse works, and also gets the horse working on their own balance. Especially for younger horses i really get them familiar with my voice aid and also understanding connection and the balance required. This means that for a while not to get too bent out of shape if you are not cantering under saddle but working on it on the lunge.
I then ride mine after 15 mins or so after being on the lunge really getting them thinking about the contact and being relaxed and confident in the balancing aid of the half halt. Making sure that there is a clear understanding of the inside leg activation to the outside rein balancing [also making sure you support the outside body with the outside leg behind the girth] this is important because the canter has a lot of momentum and in the school you want the horse to understand that when you use the contact that is there for him to be balanced by . once you are happy with the balance and flexion through turns and circles then work a little in sitting trot, this prepares the back fo the canter and also teaches the horse that you dont just plonk your bum in the saddle and kick into canter. In the early stages i use two corners on the short side of the arena, the first to prepare; sitting half halt , inside leg , body tall and light, position of the legs. In the second corner use your voice, that he is now familiar with from the lunge and apply the canter aid of tap with the inside leg as his inside hind is under the body and outside leg behind the girth. Try not to chase him out of his rhythm and try not to throw your shoulders forward and over his shoulders. If you dont get what you want prepare again exactly the same way and use your voice again. Repeating and repeating is the best way to teach any thing. Once he is familiar with the aids connected with the voice then reduce the use of the voice. By keeping the consistent 'ask' you will be suprised how quickly this gets what you want.
I do use poles and grids once the horse understands what im asking i think its great for improving canter but i always teach it like i have said above.
 
You can get a book called retraining the harness racehorse ( im presuming hes a trotter). The key is not to rush them, they just go faster and faster. Lots of practise on the lunge is good which lots of encouragement, if theyve been raced they are told off for cantering. Also sometimes its easier to teach walk to canter first. Any more advise let me know
 
Thank you, very useful.
Shall have to investigate the book, any idea where to get it?
I think he has been trotted/paced, he very occasionally breaks into a pace. Definitely not since june (when last owners got him)
He is 6, doesn't take up a contact, have been working him in a bungee, but about to take that off as think it's limiting his forward motion.
He will trot over poles and then a little after that, and only just breaks into canter when loose jumped.
Thank you very much, both of you as I will try that next time!
 
i got it off the internet. Because when they are raced their heads are held up high they find it hard to start bending their neck the other way. if you search on american standardbred retraining websites you can find lots of info and schooling tips. Does he canter in the field? I'm sure you will get there in the end, hes prob just confused that you want him to do the opposite to what he was taught!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top