teaching a horse to collect

[rup93]

My 4 year old tends to rush into canter and once in has one speed ...full pelt! hes only a baby so of course this kind of thing is expected but how do i start to collect him and teach him how to pop into the canter without him feeling he has to rush into it?

Another question... he tends to over bend any suggestions on bitting? hes just in snaffle atm and is quite strong(but not silly)but seeing as hes only 4 i dont want to put him in anything to severe.
Thanks

 

[Pearlsasinger]

What kind of mouthpiece does your snaffle have? If it is a single-jointed mouthpiece it might be worth trying a french-link or a mullen mouth, the horse may find one of those more comfortable.
As for cantering, just ask for a few strides and then ask for trot again. When the trot is established ask for canter again, repeat until the horse realises that you will not allow him to go full pelt. Quarter-circles and half-circles will help the horse to learn to balance but do not try to make your circles too small.

 

[Grumpy Jewel]

Teaching true collection is (I would have thought anyway) for a little later in his training. At the moment he needs to learn to balance himself more. I remember my friends indtructor first youngster told her to expect everything to be a bit ugly and unorganised until they master the basics. True collection requires a massive ammount of muscle strength to achieve.

 

[rup93]

Thanks will try those exercises.
(grumpy jewel) I just want to introduce him to it and start slowly. I dont want him to get into the habit of rushing and for him to think its the correct way hes supposed to make the transition into canter.. if that makes

 

[Zargon_91]

lunging and groundwork! he will find it so much easier under saddle when he has learnt to balance himself. obviously not too often because he is a baby and circles arent amazingly good for legs, but spirelling circles on the lunge in trot and canter will really help him to find his own balance, when he has it naked, try in side reins, or in a pessoa. good luck, babies are awesome!