Tell me it gets easier

[Princess16]

Am Feeling very despondent after my lesson yesterday. Have only been learning to canter a few times and I just can't get it! I'm struggling with being on the right rein then going from trot to canter. I have it all worked out in my head I know exactly what I'm supposed to do but it just ain't happening. Yesterday was particularly hard as I nearly came off as he just went the way he wanted to totally ignoring my aids. It's made me lose my confidence a little bit unfortunately.

How long did it take you to master it?

TBH I'd rather just hack out at a nice walk and leave the cantering to the experts

 

[pixie]

lunge lessons, preferably without stirrups!

 

[Cortez]

Lunge lessons, definitely. Perhaps you need an easier horse to ride in your lessons? There's nothing more frustrating in the early stages than an unhelpful partner.

 

[PolarSkye]

lunge lessons, preferably without stirrups!

This. Works a treat. I used to have a lunge lesson without stirrups once a week and I miss it - helped my seat hugely.

P

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

This. Works a treat. I used to have a lunge lesson without stirrups once a week and I miss it - helped my seat hugely.

P

Best you come over when ground is drier, happy to give you a lunge lesson on FLF

 

[PolarSkye]

Best you come over when ground is drier, happy to give you a lunge lesson on FLF

You might regret saying that . . . .

P

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

You might regret saying that . . . .

P

Nope, but you might regret after 5 mins of sgt major TFF

 

[pennandh]

Couldn't tell you how long it took me to learn to canter because it was at least 15 years ago, but if you're only having trouble on the right rein, the issue might well just be the horse being rather more one-sided than some - many horses find left canter easier (sort of equivalent to humans being right-handed), though you will find others that are the other way.

See if you can ride something different, especially if it's a schoolmaster: it might well be significantly easier. Lunge lessons, as suggested above, are a good plan - there's always a chance that it might not only be the horse who's crooked (human beings tend to be a bit one-sided, too, and the only way to fix it is practice), which certainly won't help matters.