Too fast canter!

[Cornish on the Cob]

I am a new rider and starting to canter. My horse can do a lovely rocking canter which I enjoy but lately she goes into a really fast canter and it's frightening me as I am nervous anyway. Someone told me its just my imagination but a friend rode her today and said the same as me that she pelts off into a really fast canter. Any advice or should I just give up on the whole thing?! ps, I'm one of those people that doesn't enjoy fast fair rides!

 

[ThePony]

If you are anxious you might find that you grip with your legs or are tense - this can cause your horse to rush on. I would try and canter in the school or up a hill if you are on a hack and (easier said than done I know!) just try to breath and enjoy. Also, if your horse is a little out of balance in canter they will rush on as it is easier. If you try to hang on a little with your reins, then it can make this worse. As with anything else, practise, practise, practise, improves it all!

 

[AngieandBen]

If you are a nervous rider then I wouldn't even consider doing any canter work until you are more relaxed and confident. I would have as many lessons as I could afford with a good instructor. Take one small step at a time!

 

[*hic*]

You posted earlier about wanting to tie your stirrups to the girth as your leg was unstable. If your legs are swinging you may be kicking her on.

I'll repeat my previous answer, get yourself some lunge lessons with no stirrups.

 

[Celestica]

When your horse takes off sit up really tall and lengthen your legs, most people are taught to lean back which will push your legs forward (people also grip up with their legs but heals down!) but the leaning back weight aid will actually ask the horse to go faster!

Start squeezing with your knees and thighs and start rising (as if you were trotting) as this will indicate to slow down, keep your hands low as keeping them high/forward will also encourage them on and also if the knee and thigh squeezing isn't working as much start half halting (pull with your ring finger on both hands but not with all fingers!) if you still need more help to stop/slow down start pulling back with your outside rein only,sending them to the wall of the arena will encourage them to stop!

Hope this helps, sorry if it's all jumble but it's what my instructor teaches me! Really does work but just needs a bit of getting used to. If it's a bit of a hyper horse which I doubt since you're new to canter don't pull back with your reins as this will most likely agitate the horse and make them go faster

 

[Cornish on the Cob]

When your horse takes off sit up really tall and lengthen your legs, most people are taught to lean back which will push your legs forward (people also grip up with their legs but heals down!) but the leaning back weight aid will actually ask the horse to go faster!

Start squeezing with your knees and thighs and start rising (as if you were trotting) as this will indicate to slow down, keep your hands low as keeping them high/forward will also encourage them on and also if the knee and thigh squeezing isn't working as much start half halting (pull with your ring finger on both hands but not with all fingers!) if you still need more help to stop/slow down start pulling back with your outside rein only,sending them to the wall of the arena will encourage them to stop!

Hope this helps, sorry if it's all jumble but it's what my instructor teaches me! Really does work but just needs a bit of getting used to. If it's a bit of a hyper horse which I doubt since you're new to canter don't pull back with your reins as this will most likely agitate the horse and make them go faster

Wow that sounds like good advice! will try tomorrow! I don't want to be put off as she is a lovely Irish cob and so gentle! Thank you!