weak legs?

[noodle_]

me not donkey

the horse (4) will canter when given the correct aids, she did the first canter with my friend as i tried,(and eventually got there) but my legs/aids are so weak

I can do walk/trot no problem shes responsive (once i have her fulll attention )!

But canter, i just cant find the strength in my legs to ask for it.... im tending to have to run her into it which i know is completely wrong....

shes only been cantering for like 4? days - and shes doing so well (not 1 buck ) but my legs are letting us down!

I am having lessons when we have a dry paddock to ride in, but it cant be helped with the rain


any tips??? thanks

 

[Bug2007]

How are you asking for canter? as in the aids you are using?

 

[noodle_]

inside leg on, outside back....

however, because my legs seem to decide not to work, i end up almost kicking rather than squeezing and leg on

she does know what it means but twice now ive just squeezed normally (Say walk to trot) to push for a faster trot and into canter....

im not a beginner btw... just my first time teaching a horse new things. we have jumped before we cantered etc

 

[Steorra]

You shouldn't need to squeeze with all your strength to achieve canter - is that really the aid you want to teach her?

Go back a step and re-establish the voice command on the ground. Then with someone on the ground to help you by giving the command and using the appropriate body language, ask with the correct aids. She probably will run a little due to lack of balance but if you get a very ragged trot then bring her back and start again.

Or even better, take her out on a hack with another horse and let her find the pace herself.

 

[noodle_]

shes spot on on the ground - totally understands what canter means

but when im on board she tends to want to ignore me... except the word steady (when she decides to attempt to trot at 100mph that word is very handy )

we have tried on the lunge etc... she knows how to do it - my friend got on her and got her first canter out of her.... just by squeezing/small kick....

but thats the issue my legs just dont work

as for hacking - not until the weather is better i can take her accross a huge field and ask her then but i dont do hacking here as we have to go on roads and ive had 1 too many bad experiences.