Comments on How to Canter With Your Horse

Ughhh I don't like this article... nothing is right! First of all when it says move your foot back 6 inches to get the horse to canter, move it back so it is just behind the girth. Second, you should always use both of you legs not just one when your getting the horse to canter. That way your doing even pressure with your legs. Third, you shouldn't get in the habit of clucking to you horse, even more so if you going to do dressage. You can get eliminated in dressage to talking/kissing/clucking to your horse. Fourth, I disagree when it says 60% of your weight should go in the stirrups. That could cause you to lean forward to much. Fifth, in #6, I would just do half-haults about every 4-5 strides depending on the horse you ride. Well... there is more that I don't like about this article but it will work for you people that are just learning. Have fun cantering :P

Ughhh I don't like this article... nothing is right! First of all when it says move your foot back 6 inches to get the horse to canter, move it back so it is just behind the girth. Second, you should always use both of you legs not just one when your getting the horse to canter. That way your doing even pressure with your legs. Third, you shouldn't get in the habit of clucking to you horse, even more so if you going to do dressage. You can get eliminated in dressage to talking/kissing/clucking to your horse. Fourth, I disagree when it says 60% of your weight should go in the stirrups. That could cause you to lean forward to much. Fifth, in #6, I would just do half-haults about every 4-5 strides depending on the horse you ride. Well... there is more that I don't like about this article but it will work for you people that are just learning. Have fun cantering :P

Please make sure you research your instructor and check references before you trust anyone with your body. I recently returned to the sport and was told not to "rock as if in a rocking chair" when cantering. This led to dealing with a high fever and pain from acute renel impairment a.k.a slight kidney failure. So frusrating because I'm also a mom of 4! Not worth it! I have a new instuctor and am once again enjoying horses with my 6 yr old daughter.We are having a blast!

Please make sure you research your instructor and check references before you trust anyone with your body. I recently returned to the sport and was told not to "rock as if in a rocking chair" when cantering. This led to dealing with a high fever and pain from acute renel impairment a.k.a slight kidney failure. So frusrating because I'm also a mom of 4! Not worth it! I have a new instuctor and am once again enjoying horses with my 6 yr old daughter.We are having a blast!

Please make sure you research your intructor and check references before you trust anyone with your body. Recently returned to the sport and was told not to "rock as if in a rocking chair" when cantering. This lead to me dealing with a high fever and pain from acute renel impairment a.k.a slight kidney failure. So frusrating because I'm also a mom of 4! Not worth it! I have a new instuctor and am once again enjoying horses with my 6 yr old daughter.

Please make sure you research your intructor and check references before you trust anyone with your body. Recently returned to the sport and was told not to "rock as if in a rocking chair" when cantering. This lead to me dealing with a high fever and pain from acute renel impairment a.k.a slight kidney failure. So frusrating because I'm also a mom of 4! Not worth it! I have a new instuctor and am once again enjoying horses with my 6 yr old daughter.

Cantering-"The canter, or lope, is the fastest of the three gaits." Actually, horses have four main gaits, but in truth the trot is the fastest out walking,trotting,and cantering.It might be an easier gait, and it might be said before the canter,but it's the fastest.

Cantering-"The canter, or lope, is the fastest of the three gaits." Actually, horses have four main gaits, but in truth the trot is the fastest out walking,trotting,and cantering.It might be an easier gait, and it might be said before the canter,but it's the fastest.

The last time I cantered I only made it three or four beats and I fell off. I got back on and walked and trotted but I still absolutely scared to bring myself to a canter. The stable I ride at has a ton of horses, of all types to choose from. I'm thinking I should pick a horse who's canter is slow and easy, just to get back into the feeling. What do you guys think? Is this a good idea, or a bad idea?

The last time I cantered I only made it three or four beats and I fell off. I got back on and walked and trotted but I still absolutely scared to bring myself to a canter. The stable I ride at has a ton of horses, of all types to choose from. I'm thinking I should pick a horse who's canter is slow and easy, just to get back into the feeling. What do you guys think? Is this a good idea, or a bad idea?

"The canter, or lope, is the fastest of the three gaits." Actually, horses have 4 gaits: walk, trot, canter, and gallop. So a canter is the 2nd fastest gait.

"The canter, or lope, is the fastest of the three gaits." Actually, horses have 4 gaits: walk, trot, canter, and gallop. So a canter is the 2nd fastest gait.

Saddle seat riders cue the horse to the outside. Therefore, for the left lead, tickle outside/right hand give a little with the left, use the right leg slightly behind the girth. Some riders kiss, some say 'canter', some cluck for a final cue. Sit tall and deep, round the lower back. Look ahead, and rate your horse's speed with gentle to firm hands, as needed. For the right lead, switch the cues to the left hand and leg. Practice guiding even at the canter; do large circles, come off the rail and go back without breaking gait or switching leads.

Saddle seat riders cue the horse to the outside. Therefore, for the left lead, tickle outside/right hand give a little with the left, use the right leg slightly behind the girth. Some riders kiss, some say 'canter', some cluck for a final cue. Sit tall and deep, round the lower back. Look ahead, and rate your horse's speed with gentle to firm hands, as needed. For the right lead, switch the cues to the left hand and leg. Practice guiding even at the canter; do large circles, come off the rail and go back without breaking gait or switching leads.

yes, it can ALL be frustrating, one day up, the other day down, but eventually bit by 'bit' we will all get there. I hope.

yes, it can ALL be frustrating, one day up, the other day down, but eventually bit by 'bit' we will all get there. I hope.

can anyone help me please !!! I have a problem with the trot to canter transition. I go out hacking twice a week and also have 1 intensive 1to1 lesson at my local riding school. I have been learning to ride for 3 months. I mastered the rising trot and sitting trot in my first lesson and have done work without stirrups. I have spent alot of time practicing trotting and am comfortable with that now. The problem i am having is the 'sit and kick' to go into canter. I have been working with these for many weeks now. When i am out hacking i seem to be able to do it and while cantering i am relaxed with no daylight between me and the saddle and well balanced. Its just that 'sit and kick' i dont seem able to do. I cant seem to sit deep enough in those first few strides to be able to kick. As soon as i try to kick i lose my balance and start bouncing around. Today i got so frustrated i ended up quitting my lesson early and walking out. Please tell me i am not alone here and there is a glimmer of hope i will be able to do it as right now i feel i will never master it. Has any one else struggled with this before and if so... you got any advise !!!!

can anyone help me please !!! I have a problem with the trot to canter transition. I go out hacking twice a week and also have 1 intensive 1to1 lesson at my local riding school. I have been learning to ride for 3 months. I mastered the rising trot and sitting trot in my first lesson and have done work without stirrups. I have spent alot of time practicing trotting and am comfortable with that now. The problem i am having is the 'sit and kick' to go into canter. I have been working with these for many weeks now. When i am out hacking i seem to be able to do it and while cantering i am relaxed with no daylight between me and the saddle and well balanced. Its just that 'sit and kick' i dont seem able to do. I cant seem to sit deep enough in those first few strides to be able to kick. As soon as i try to kick i lose my balance and start bouncing around. Today i got so frustrated i ended up quitting my lesson early and walking out. Please tell me i am not alone here and there is a glimmer of hope i will be able to do it as right now i feel i will never master it. Has any one else struggled with this before and if so... you got any advise !!!!

ok i am struggling with something i wondered if anyone can help me with as you all seem to have some good tips to share. I have been learning to ride now for about 3 months. I hack out a couple of times a week and i have a 1to1 intensive lesson at my local riding school. I mastered rising trot and sitting trot in my first lesson and can now do that comfortably and well balanced. My problem is the trot to canter transition. When i am out hacking i can 'get the horse' to canter no problem and can canter all around the field with confidence. but, when i am in the school i just cant for the life of me seem to be able to master the 'sit and kick'. I try to relax but i dont seem to be able to sit deep enough in those first few strides of canter to be able to kick. my bottom and legs dont seem to be linked in any way !!!! I'm really struggling with this and today in my lesson i ended up jumping off the horse and walking out i was soooo frustrated. Once i am cantering i am relaxed and there is no longer 'daylight' between me and the saddle !!!!! can someone please reasure me i am not the only person in the world to go through this, as at the moment i am feeling like i will never get it.

ok i am struggling with something i wondered if anyone can help me with as you all seem to have some good tips to share. I have been learning to ride now for about 3 months. I hack out a couple of times a week and i have a 1to1 intensive lesson at my local riding school. I mastered rising trot and sitting trot in my first lesson and can now do that comfortably and well balanced. My problem is the trot to canter transition. When i am out hacking i can 'get the horse' to canter no problem and can canter all around the field with confidence. but, when i am in the school i just cant for the life of me seem to be able to master the 'sit and kick'. I try to relax but i dont seem to be able to sit deep enough in those first few strides of canter to be able to kick. my bottom and legs dont seem to be linked in any way !!!! I'm really struggling with this and today in my lesson i ended up jumping off the horse and walking out i was soooo frustrated. Once i am cantering i am relaxed and there is no longer 'daylight' between me and the saddle !!!!! can someone please reasure me i am not the only person in the world to go through this, as at the moment i am feeling like i will never get it.