Strides for Success

Tag: Canter

  • When Your Horse ‘Runs’ From the Trot into the Canter

    When Your Horse ‘Runs’ From the Trot into the Canter

    Riding, just like life, is about enjoying the journey rather than just the destination.  However, when you’re transitioning from the trot into the canter – and your horse seems determined to show you just how fast he can actually trot beforehand; well, the journey is not all that enjoyable!

    I don’t know of a single rider who enjoys the ‘rush’ of a horse running from trot to canter. It is bouncy, unbalancing, and, sometimes, scary.  Also, it more often than not sets up a canter that feels like all of the above as well.

    The good news is that there are a few things you can do, starting today, to begin re-schooling this behavior; for you and your horse.

     1. Improve Your Suppleness, Coordination, and Balance

    This can seem pretty obvious.  However, for many riders, the struggle to transition from the trot into the canter is down to their lack of suppleness.  The suppleness required for a mediocre trot is not the same as what is required for a forward-thinking and moving canter.

    And as you begin to set up the canter, the increased energy and intention inside both you and your horse can become blocked by your lack of suppleness

    This shows up as excess tension in the rider’s body; the more energy they feel, the more than ‘hunker down’ and try to ‘control’ both themselves and their horse. This will naturally lead to more bouncing, less balance, and a breakdown in the coordination of your aids.

    Devote some time to practicing how you respond when you create more energy within just the trot. Work on channeling that energy, rather than ‘holding it’. 

     2. Spend Time Developing the Trot

    This leads me to the next point.  Developing a more rhythmic, spacious, and forward trot will really help you transition from the trot into the canter with greater ease and balance.  The trot is the gait where we often simply accept what we have been given with regard to our horse’s way of going.

    Most horses will have a natural rhythm in the trot, and it is important to keep in mind that you can positively influence this further.

    Work on forwardness (both thinking and going), responsiveness, lightness, and creating more space inside of each stride.  From here, you can then begin to ‘test’ yourself using the sitting trot.  If you are struggling to remain balanced, relaxed (correct tension), and coordinated inside of a better-quality trot, revisit the first point again!

    Working between walk and trot will also help you here as you can practice what you are doing before, during, and after the upward and downward transitions.  More on that in point number 4.

     3. Get Clear on EXACTLY What You Want

    Yes, you want to get from the trot into the canter.  And, if that is all you want, that is probably what you will get; and any way possible! Not ideal and often not enjoyable either. Okay, so if you were to rethink this, what do you actually want regarding this transition?

    Where do you want it to happen? How would you like it to feel? What type of canter are you looking to create when there? And what is the focus for the actual transition as training for you or your horse?

    When you are working with a younger horse or a green horse, you can be a little more relaxed with regards to getting things ‘exactly’ as you want them.  However, the longer you are working together, the more specific you should become on what you want and how you want it.

    I feel that ‘balanced’ is always a good outcome to work towards.  So too is accuracy. Lightness really does help it all feel better. As well as straightness throughout…

     4. Transition From Trot into the Canter

    When you know what you want, you can now go and make it happen. Start by modeling everything you expect your horse and the transition to be, through your own body and actions.  Ride the transition exactly as you want it to happen.

    Straighten yourself in the saddle.  Carry yourself and remain ‘light’, especially with your upper body. Be accurate and timely with your aids. And respond in a way that allows your horse to do what you ask him to do. 

    When you feel the trot beginning to deteriorate, change the focus.  Rather go back to balancing the trot again. Once you have it back to a quality you are happy with, set it all up and ask again.  Pushing on through for the sake of pushing on through is rarely the right way to develop a better transition from the trot into the canter.

    When you feel the quality of the trot, and therefore the transition begins to deteriorate; rather focus on improving that first. From this reestablished place, try again. 

     5. Allow the Canter to Flow

    The more attention to detail you devote to what happens in the lead-up to the transition, and through the transition, the better each transition will become over time. However, getting from a trot into the canter is a 3 part process.

        1. Establish a good quality trot
        2. Ask for a clean, timely, balanced, and light transition
        3. Allow the canter to go forwards

    As riders, we can often become confused with our role in each of the questions we ask when riding.  The canter is no different.  So many riders think that they have to ‘do’ canter in order to canter!

    Your job is to ask your horse to canter, and then get out of the way and allow him to canter. You do not canter; he does. 

    This means that leaning forward, especially with the shoulders to the inside, is not helping your horse.  In fact, it’s probably doing the exact opposite and blocking his inside shoulder. Similarly, collapsing into the back of the saddle to stop bouncing is equally unhelpful.  It blocks the flow of energy from back to front.  This prevents any connection, lightness, and self-carriage from happening.

    The canter is a gait that you can see an almost instant improvement in when you know what to look for and do. All it takes is some dedication, focus, and the right guidance.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Improving Your Canter

    If you are keen to develop your canter more, I would love to help you. YOU CAN FIND ALL THE DETAILS HERE for a 4-week program on the canter. Using a blend of audio horse riding lessons, and video, you will receive step-by-step guidance on how to improve your canter.

    Created with riders who are working alone without a trainer or coach, you will learn how to improve both yourself and your horse. Getting into, riding the actual canter, and transitioning out of it too.

    The course is self-study, and you get lifetime access to all of the materials, meaning you can go back and refine things over and over again. Created with the goal of 3 focused rides a week to work on your canter, this program can transform how you think about, ride, and develop the canter. For you and your horse. CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

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  • Revisiting the Basics; Why You NEED to Do This in Your Riding…

    Revisiting the Basics; Why You NEED to Do This in Your Riding…

    [fusebox_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/dailystridespodcast/1236_Revisiting_the_Basics_Why_You_Must_as_a_Rider.mp3″ title=”Regularly Revisiting the Basics; Why You MUST Do This as a Rider…” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” tweet_text=”Here’s proof that the basics in horse riding are not just for beginners… ” hashtag=”equestrianpodcast #horseriding” twitter_username=”strides_success” ]

    It can seem like something that only novice or beginner riders would worry themselves with; revisiting the basics.  After all, surely there’s a point where, as riders, we can ‘set and forget’ a couple of things in our riding? Basics like position and the aids.  Or trotting and cantering…

    And I think a lot of this stems from the fact that we see the basics as being, somehow, for beginners.  For riders who are only just getting started on their journey.  Surely not riders who have been hard at work for 5, 10, 40 years… Or riders who are competing at high levels. 

    And yet, if riders could begin to swap out the word ‘basics’ and replace it with the ‘essential foundations for the current level of work or development’, revisiting those old places, from this ‘new level’, wouldn’t seem so bad after all, would it?

    Upgrading As a Rider

    As a rider, you are developing your skills all the time.  You learn new ways of doing things.  And you also stop doing things in certain ways because they no longer serve you.

    Being willing to put down old thoughts, methods, and ways is an essential part of growing and developing as a rider. 

    When riders cling to the ‘old ways’, progress will inevitably come to a halt.  Whether we like it or not, there is a capacity for what we can hold at any one point in time…

    And yet, letting go of the old ways can feel so uncomfortable!  There are thoughts like ‘well, it’s worked fine up until now’ and ‘if it’s not broken, why fix it?’.  To which I answer, why wait until it breaks?  Upgrades are essential for everything that is in good working order.  Maintainance and replacing worn-out parts keep things going – and make them better.

    You cannot ask a horse to halt the old way and ask a horse to halt the new way at the same time.  Something has to give. 

    Deciding What Needs Revisiting

    I am a huge believer in tracking things.  Looking for patterns and then tweaking a specific something in order to see what happens.  If you apply this to your riding, you will begin to clearly see what needs upgrading.

    For example, perhaps you have now begun to work on contact.  You can maintain good quality contact while you and your horse are moving forwards.  However, as soon as a downward transition is required – Hello Hollowness or Hello Heaviness! In this situation, it could be your half halt that needs to be revisited and upgraded to now include or allow for this new skill of contact.  Or it may be your balance of aids; how you are using your aids together to communicate something specific to your horse.  Maybe you need to learn to become less reliant on the reins through downward transitions and develop your seat and weight aids more.

    Each time you learn something new, incorporate something different or reach a plateau in your riding, it is worthwhile revisiting the basics. 

    Tracking your progress, and your horse’s development will allow you to see specifically what needs to upgrade in order to truly move forward to the next level in your riding.  And, as riders, it is important to both want to and try to develop your skills, understanding, and practice.

    What Makes a Great Rider?

    It’s a big question, I know.  But if I think about someone who I really admire as a rider, what usually stands out is how ‘quiet’ they are.  They really have taken the time to develop their skills in a way that allows for a ‘secret conversation’ to take place.

    Great riders, whether they realize it or not, are happy to adapt what they do in order to more effectively communicate and partner with their horse. 

    They are fluid in their thinking and actions.  They know that a one size fits all solution is not the key to working with any horse. They can assess and feel the situation without even consciously having to think about it.  And they have their own basics sorted out and developed so that their focus can be on the effective communication they want to achieve with their horse. Not fixing their position or using more ‘leg’ at a certain point in the movement.

    And they are not afraid to go back, spend time revisiting the basics knowing that what they put onto autopilot is what works NOW for them in their riding.  This creates clarity going forward in the training and development. 

    Revisiting the Basics in Your Riding

    This is a key point; your basics should be on autopilot.  You really and truly do not want to spend your time in the saddle focusing your attention on ‘lifting your hands or bending your elbows’.  You also don’t want to keep having to ‘fix’ your lower leg because it wanders.

    Whether you realize it or not, you already have basics on autopilot.  The question is, are those things still serving you? Or are they outdated and holding you back?

    How you stopped your horse the very first time you rode a horse looks very different to how you stop a horse now – we hope!  You upgraded your knowledge and skills.  And from this upgrading, you changed the actions you take to make it happen.

    Doing things a certain way because that is how you have always done something is only a recipe for becoming stuck and hitting a plateau in your riding. You MUST upgrade things in order to improve and thrive as a rider. 

    Start Today

    I bet that, as you read this, one or two things jumped out at you that you can begin working on or improving in your riding.  It could be the thing that an instructor or trainer is saying a lot… Or something that seems to be written on every ‘marks sheet’ you get from judges or assessors.  It may be something you keep complaining about to your equestrian friends, or your horse!

    Once you have identified something that needs upgrading (and something will always need upgrading), begin creating a plan to make it happen…

    Find out more about that basic.  How can it evolve or how can the role change?  What can you do differently or change?  When you know more about something, the path to making it happen will appear.

    Find exercises that will help you to work or develop that basic more. Some may be riding-related, or some may require you to upgrade your mindset or physical fitness. 

    Once you know what you want to work on, the final piece is to do it.  Take diligent, correct action, and see how things change.  Once you upgrade a basic, you will see a whole new level appearing in your riding.  And your horse will feel the difference as well.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Returning to Riding Program

    For many riders, being out of the saddle for a while means that they are no longer sure of what needs work in their riding!  If you have been on a break from riding (2 months or 20 years) and would like a step-by-step system to get you back into regular, effective riding, make sure you check out Returning to Riding.

    This premium program (usually $497) is completely free if you join Connection, my monthly membership for equestrians, in the month of March 2022.

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  • Remaining Calm While Introducing Canter on the Lunge

    Remaining Calm While Introducing Canter on the Lunge

    [fusebox_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/dailystridespodcast/1235_Calmly_Introducing_Canter_While_on_the_Lunge.mp3″ title=”Calmly Introducing Canter on the Lunge” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” tweet_text=”How to canter on the lunge – without racing and running in circles! ” hashtag=”horsepodcast #horseproblems” twitter_username=”strides_success” ]
    If you have even been at the other end of a lunge line to a horse who is adamant to show you exactly how fast he can go on a circle… You will know all about ‘that’ feeling!  The one where every fiber of your being is screaming at you to ‘stop the horse’.  And yet, it feels like there is absolutely nothing you can do!
    Intentionally mixing cantering and lunging together is not for the faint of heart!  It often requires nerves of steel – especially at the beginning of the journey…
    The good news is that, for those who persist and persevere, the reward is being able to truly use lunging as a tool to develop the canter.  And being able to do so from this wonderful, and unique, vantage point of ‘trainer’.

    Why Canter on the Lunge?

    Well, why not?!  Okay, I realize that many riders will answer that with “Because my horse turns into a lunatic!”, or “Because I value my horse’s soundness and my own life!”.  And versions of these scenarios do feel really within the realm of possibility.

    However, that is a key point.  They ‘feel’ real – but are they really? Or is there a story going on in your mind that is simply telling you cantering on the lunge is a no-no for you and your horse?

    I think that if you are working on a canter when riding your horse, there is a pretty good chance that you can also work on a canter while on the lunge.  And reap the benefits.
    I am a firm believer that most of the things you can do while in the saddle when it comes to training, can also be worked on while lunging.  And because lunging is so versatile regarding time, facilities, weather, equipment, etc.  It makes sense to use this tool to help you improve the canter…

    Notice Your Feelings First

    When I first began to really ‘work’ on the canter while on the lunge, I realized that a lot of the work was actually mine to do.  And, the vast majority of that work was mental, rather than physical.  I noticed that, when I began intentionally introducing canter on the lunge, my mind had a whole lot of stories about it all.

    Just the thoughts of canter produced excess tension in my body which, obviously enough, the horse must have picked up on. Couple this with changes in breathing, body language, and just aids in general…

    Looking back, I am certain that any excess energy the horse displayed was probably a reflection of what I was feeling and communicating.  

    However, once I realized this, I began working on it.  Why did the thoughts of canter make me respond so differently?  Was it true, all the doom and gloom outcomes I was prophetizing for us?

    Or were my feelings of discomfort simply because I was doing something new – and that felt challenging to my mind?

    A Few Pre-Requisites Before Introducing Canter

    Okay, so along with doing the work regarding your thoughts and the feelings they produce, there are other things that also need to be in place before you can safely, and successfully begin introducing canter on the lunge.  The first is responsiveness.  Your horse must be able to understand what it is you’re asking. And respond appropriately.

    Invest time developing your aids and responsiveness in halt, walk, and trot before even thinking about canter. Make sure that both the ‘go’ and the ‘whoa’ aids work well :)

    I also firmly believe that the setting can either help or hinder your progress.  Taking the time to set up an enclosed area, around 20m x20m to lunge in can help so much in the future.  It will allow you to use the lunge line for contact, rather than trying to stop the horse or slow him down.

    Introducing the canter on the lunge in an enclosed area also helps the rider to remain a little more relaxed and calm…

    I also think it is important that you can easily work the lunge line and ‘keep up’ with your horse.  Physical fitness is not just for horses.  And working the line correctly will help to prevent tangles and knots.

    Not Just a ‘Check List Item’

    It is also worth keeping in mind that intention is important.  Meaning that cantering for the sake of cantering is neither helpful nor productive.  The canter can really help with the training and the development of your horse, but only if you put intention and focus behind it.  Why do you want to canter?  What are you hoping to achieve from the canter?

    Creating a specific focus for your canter work while on the lunge will allow you to make each circle count; rather than just running in circles!

    I would suggest starting with rhythm and going on from there.  Accuracy and responsiveness are also really helpful filters when working in the canter.  Can you maintain the correct levels of tension; relaxation?  And, later, use the filters of suppleness and straightness to really develop strength and responsibility.

    Canter on the lunge is also a great way to work on the contact; especially if your horse has a tendency to become heavy on the forehand when being ridden in the canter. 

     Introducing Canter on the Lunge

    Start with asking for a good quality trot.  Spend a few minutes ‘tuning’ things up a little more so that you are sure your horse is listening to you and responsive.  From here, see if you can find a way to ask for the canter that your horse already understands.

    Using verbal cues is often helpful, especially if you can use the same cues while you ride. Find a ‘common ground’ where aids are concerned and build from there. 

    Just like when riding, reward (verbally and ‘softening with the contact’) any step in the right direction from your horse.  Keep in mind that your horse may initially seem to fall into the canter. This is normal.  If he has only ever been ridden into the canter, he may be a little dependant on the rider for balance.

    Asking for canter on the lunge requires your horse to ‘step into it’ himself.  No balancing effect from the rider.  This means things may look unbalanced, rushed, or heavy the first few times. 

    Just like when riding, it will take time to develop straight, clean, relaxed, forward, and light transitions into the canter on the lunge. It requires your horse to being to take more responsibility for his role in the transition and the gait.  And it requires the rider to learn to balance the aids for clarity.

    Introducing canter on the lunge is not an easy thing.  Correct preparation is required.  However, it is such a useful tool in your training toolkit that it is well worth the effort and time.

    Happy Lunging
    Lorna

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  • Re-Defining the Rhythm in the Canter When Riding

    Re-Defining the Rhythm in the Canter When Riding

    [fusebox_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/dailystridespodcast/1233_Redefining_the_Rhythm_in_the_Canter.mp3″ title=”Redefining the Rhythm in the Canter” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” tweet_text=”Let’s go past strides when we think canter + rhythm, shall we?!” hashtag=”horsepodcast” twitter_username=”strides_success” ]

    There are some things that many of us simply accept in life.  Rainy days. Horsehair is everywhere in Spring. The rhythm in the canter.  And yet, while we cannot change the weather (okay, debatable) and we definitely cannot get around the necessary loss of the winter coat…

    The Rhythm in the canter is definitely something we can have a more positive influence over when we ride – rather than simply accepting what is. 

    And yet, it can seem daunting! Many riders find that when they attempt to begin doing this, they tend to lose the canter altogether.  They quickly find themselves back in the trot.  Or the canter has lost its 3 beat sequence – so it’s technically no longer a canter!

    Why Redefining?

    I think that in order to really make your time in canter count towards the overall training of your horse, we need to first define what is already there.  Most riders know that rhythm in the canter consists of a repetitive 1,2,3..1,2,3..1,2,3..

    And yet, many riders almost see each stride in the canter as being the rhythm, instead of each individual beat that truly makes up the rhythm. 

    By redefining the rhythm in the canter, I would love for you to stop seeing the rhythm as being stride for stride.  But rather being noticing the individual beats that, together, create the rhythm of each stride inside of the canter itself.

    Noticing Each Individual Beat

    Once you have committed to really separating things out regarding what happens within each stride, the challenge becomes making this happen when you’re riding.  In canter, the strides can feel fast!  They seem to come flying along and so fast and furious that really being able to identify individual beats inside of the stride can seem daunting!

    Start with the first beat of each stride.  Start with 1.  Each stride, after the break that the ‘roll’ (suspension) creates, notice the 1 in each new stride. 

    Once you have identified the 1 of each stride, begin creating a connection between that beat and your outside seat bone.  1 is your horse’s outside back leg stepping down on the ground. Your horse’s back leg and your outside seat bone are connected.

    Let your awareness of the first beat inside of each stride, and its connection to your outside seat bone help you to begin to ‘define’ rhythm in the canter.

    Finding the Second Beat

    Once you have identified the first beat, it simply becomes a matter of mindfulness and awareness to begin identifying the second and third beats of each individual canter stride. I feel that one of the best ways to do this is to begin using 1 as an opportunity to half halt.

    Half halt is only really held for a beat, so using the beat from the 1 inside of the canter stride as a timer, will allow you to begin clearly identifying the 2 in each stride. 

    The second beat, 2 is when the horses inside back leg and outside front leg move forwards together.  It will feel like activation of your inside seat bone.  A swinging forward feeling.  Some riders describe it as a ‘scoop’.

    If you can begin to identify the 2nd beat within each stride, and then tie that in with the movement of your inside seat bone, it will allow you to start truly defining the rhythm in the canter itself.

    Third Beat and the Roll…

    The third beat, beat 3 happens when your inside seat bone has swung or scooped as far forward as it is going to go inside of that particular stride.  The 3 is the culmination of the stride.  However, the horse’s body now has to move forward over the inside front leg in order to start the process again.

    This ‘gap’ between the 3rd and last beat of the old stride and the 1st beat of the new stride is marked by a moment of suspension.  It feels like a rolling feeling when you are in the saddle. 

    This allows. your body to reset itself and be ready for 1 (or the first beat) again.  Any resisting, excessive tension or lack of balance from the rider will become amplified here.  This is where many riders can become a little ‘airborne’!  It is also where riders can tend to override with their shoulders and upper body.

    The key to riding the canter is suppleness and if is in this ‘roll’ part of each stride that a lack of suppleness in the rider will become very clear!

    Re-Defining the Rhythm in the Canter

    Once you can clearly identify each individual beat inside of the canter itself, you can begin to intentionally use your aids to have more influence.  Each individual stride is an opportunity to connect with your horse and help him to create more space within that stride.

    By consistently connecting your individual aids to each individual element of the canter stride, you can begin to intentionally ask different questions of your horse

    Questions like “Wait a fraction longer here please” using your outside seat bone on beat 1 of the canter stride. Or “A little longer please” using your inside seat bone on beat 2.  Or “A little shorter here please”!

    What is important is to remember that no one aid will be applied in isolation.  I am just mentioning the two above to help you gain connection to the individual beats within the stride itself.

    When you can easily identify each beat of the stride, you can begin to measure your influence as a rider.  You can be creating more space within each stride.  Defining each beat more so that they are ‘stand out’ and easy to spot (or hear).

    This is how you can then begin to improve the rhythm inside of the canter – for you and your horse.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

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  • Rhythm; Learning to Identify and Develop it in Canter

    Rhythm; Learning to Identify and Develop it in Canter

    [fusebox_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/dailystridespodcast/1182.Developing_Rhythm_in_the_Canter.mp3″ title=”Rhythm; Establishing and Developing it in the Canter” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” ]

    It can often sound like a jackhammer… Rrrrrrrrrrrrrr.  Instead of the 1,2,3…1,2,3…1,2,3… that the canter should produce when you listen for the rhythm.  And once either a horse or a rider has become ‘used’ to a different way, it can be a real challenge to get things back on track.  Or on beat, as the case is when the rhythm is lost in the canter.

    Some things are taken for granted when we ride horses.  Rhythm is very often one of those things.  And many riders think that, if there is a regular enough repeating sound, rhythm is good.  But sometimes, the rhythm itself is not right.  And when this happens, no further development can happen within the gait until this is corrected.

    The Rhythm in Canter

    I am sure that you are well aware of the fact that your canter should have a 3 beat rhythm.  I am going to also assume here that you understand what causes this gait to have 3 beats (as opposed to 4 or 2 like walk or trot).

    However, what many riders fail to realize is that rhythm in the canter can be lost without your horse becoming disunited behind!  I mention the disunited behind because this is one of the most talked-about and common ways for the canter to develop a 4-time beat.  However, let’s assume here that your horse is indeed united in the canter.

    All feet are moving where they should be.  And yet, you’re just not hearing that distinctive 3-time beat…  Now what? 

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    Canter Lacking Forwardness

    One of the most common challenges when it comes to maintaining a rhythm in the canter is to do it while keeping things, well, slow, and steady!  Horse riding and equestrian sport, like all things, have trends and fashions.  The popular or ‘cool’ thing to be able to do with your horse at that point in the game.

    A slow canter is one of these… Whether it is because of a nervous rider, or just to get that s l o w canter, I don’t know.  However, the challenge comes when riders slow things to the point where each foot is moving individually and separately from the others.

    The diagonal pair of hooves that the inside hind foot and outside front foot make up, are no longer in sync with each other.  One, usually the inside hind, is touching down before the other.  

    This creates a 4 time beat in the canter.  Many riders won’t want to hear this. However, I believe that this is caused by a rider not asking for enough energy.  And then, at the same time,  ‘holding on’ too much to the energy that is being created.

    Recreating the 3 Time Beat

    The remedy for this type of loss of rhythm is often to simply put ‘more’ into the container.  Asking for and allowing more forwardness in the canter itself.  Many riders feel that if they do this, they will lose everything they have worked for.  Maybe this is the horse traveling in a certain ‘frame’.  Or it could be losing ‘on the bit’.

    It’s good to realise and remember that if your horse is creating 4 beats in the canter due to a lack of forwardness, he won’t progress from there!  

    The reason collection is at the top of the training scale is that it requires everything else to be balanced and developed in order for it to happen.  Rhythm is at the bottom of the training scale.  By removing the rhythm, there cannot be collection.  It is a false outcome and one that will cap both horse and rider going forward.

    The Jackhammer Canter

    On the other side of the coin, is the canter where all legs appear to be moving at the same time!  It is quite the sight to behold and, often, it is also a little more difficult to work on.

    The ‘jackhammer’ canter usually happens when the horse learns to move his legs REALLY quickly.  And yet, is not actually covering a whole lot of ground!

    Rrrr…Rrrr…Rrrr…Rrrr…Rrrr.  On and on it goes.  No real indication of what hoof is ‘starting’ to each stride.  And, no real ‘ending’ hoof falls to each stride. In this canter the horse often becomes disunited.  However, this can be just as hard to identify when riding.  None of it feels particularly balanced. Rrrr…Rrrr…Rrrr…Rrrr…Rrrr!

    Begin By Identifying Hoof Sequence

    The important thing to remember is the connection between your seat and your horse’s hind feet.  By directly using your seat to ask your horse to ‘wait’, you can influence the canter itself. 

    This can be a tricky one to correct.  The natural tendency for riders is to pull the reins and resist more with their seat to ‘slow’ the horse down.  However, it is not so much that the horse is traveling fast, as it ‘sounds’ like the horse is traveling fast!

    Start by identifying when the outside hind leg is on the ground.  The ‘1’ of the canter stride.  When it is there, use your outside seat bone to ask your horse to keep it there a fraction longer.  ‘WAIT’ by weighting. More on that HERE

    As this happens (and this is where rider suppleness becomes essential), continue to allow your inside seat bone to move with the canter. This allows the diagonal pair of legs to move for the 2 beats of the canter.  Finally, make sure you create space for your horse’s inside shoulder to move and create the 3 beats. You can do this by softening or opening your inside hand and rein a fraction.

    Developing the Rhythm in Canter

    Once you can begin to hear a more distinctive 1,2,3..1,2,3..1.2.3.. you can begin to play with making each beat more singular.  Like you want to identify each individual beat within the canter rhythm itself.  This is where the real work begins.

    When a horse has become a master of the 4 time canter or the ‘jackhammer’ canter, he will find it quite tiring to stay in a more ‘true’ canter for any length of time.

    He must develop more in order to hold this.  Start with asking for 3 to 5 strides. Pay attention to the quality of the strides.  Also, pay attention that you are not ‘holding’ him there.  You will know when you are if there’s a lot of shoulder movement happening in your body!  Or if you are twisting yourself in order to ‘hold’.

    Your job is to set everything up for him to the canter.  When (not if) he begins to revert to his ‘old’ ways, correct and then set things up again.

    Holding him or doing it for him will not help him in the long run…

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Additional Resources:-

  • The Canter to Trot Transition

    The Canter to Trot Transition

    Transition from canter to trot
    The canter to trot transition is the one transition that so many riders don’t ever think about until they are in the midst of it. So much focus and attention are put into getting into the canter, and yet the ‘getting out of the canter’ is just left to chance.
    [smart_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/dailystridespodcast/1146-Your-Canter-to-Trot-Transition.mp3″ title=”Riding a Better Transition from Canter to Trot” social_linkedin=”true” social_pinterest=”true” social_email=”true” tweet_text=”Smooth out that transition from canter back to trot with this episode of the Daily Strides Podcast” hashtag=”equestrianpodcast” twitter_username=”strides_success” ]
    Today I want to give you a few ideas to work on, in the saddle, before you get into the canter that will help you begin riding a smoother and more ‘put together’ canter to trot transition.

    The Bouncy Transition

    For so many riders, the canter to trot transition is filled with bounce and general bumpiness.  And usually in a way that is not benefiting the rider or the horse.  I personally think that this is often due to the fact that the canter can and will improve the trot.
    Meaning that when the trot is flat and not all that great, the rider is okay. However as soon as there is ‘more’ happening in the trot; well it’s not all smooth sailing or riding.
    So if you find yourself being able to manage quite nicely when in trot ‘before the canter’, but struggling little with the same trot after a canter, you are in need of suppleness. Because this is a rider issue.  It is your inability to ride the transition that is the issue where.

    Working on Your Responsiveness

    If you are experiencing challenges with your canter to trot transition, I am going to suggest starting with responsiveness.  And not when cantering!  Before you begin riding the canter, work on improving your responsiveness as a rider. I firmly believe that almost always, a lack of responsiveness comes from the rider.
    How consistent are you being with your aids and your riding in general? Your horse will ‘mirror’ or ‘reflect’ your approach to responsiveness. Meaning the ball is firmly in your court when it comes to improving it.
    Responsiveness is important for al transitions.  where a lack of responsiveness affects the downward canter to trot transition is that when it is lacking, a certain amount of ‘hauling’ happens!  Rather than the aids communicating the intention for a smooth transition to the horse, the rider has to pull and tug the horse into the trot.
    My advice is to work on your responsiveness in halt, walk and trot before you pick up the canter.  Pay particular attention to your timing, your half-halt, and how you are ‘releasing’ when your horse responds.

    Maintaining the Contact

    The canter to trot transition can be confusing when it comes to contact for many riders.  There is a tendency to throw the contact at the horse. I often think that this is in a slightly misguided attempt to prevent catching the horse in the mouth.  And while you definitely don’t want to catch or jab your horse in the mouth; you also don’t want to drop him where contact is concerned.
    Contact is like a mutual agreement between horse and rider.  Maintaining a positive and ‘working’ contact through the transition is essential if you are both to build trust and confidence.
    The other side of contact is when the rider holds on too tight.  This is usually due to either a need to balance on the reins – which NEVER works!  Or a deep desire to control EVERYTHING!  Again, contact is a mutual agreement.  It cannot be this when you are using it to further your own agenda 😉
    Here, I advise you to begin establishing a truly independent seat.  Correct your base of support and begin relying on yourself to maintain balance throughout the transition.  It will go a lot further to riding a good canter to trot transition.
    Incorrect use of the contact through the transition often causes the horse to hollow.  This results in that horrible bounce riders experience as the horse moves into the trot.  The irony, of course, is that this same bounce causes many riders to hold on even tighter!  Learn to follow your horse, seat, and hand, through the transition.

    Asking for Straightness

    If you ride a canter for any length of time, without being mindful of what is happening, your horse might begin to ‘curl’.  Usually, it is around your inside leg.  But sometimes the hindquarters ‘curl’ to the outside.  Either way, all thoughts of straightness fly out of the arena and this has a real negative impact on the canter to trot transition.
    In order to really maintain the energy flow, so, therefore, establishing a good quality trot from the get-go, attention to straightness is necessary.
    My advice is to begin working on this in other transitions.  Allow it to become a habit for you and your horse in all transitions.
    Will it be perfect from the beginning?  No!  In fact, it probably won’t be anywhere near perfect for quite some time.  However, by training yourself to look for this, from day 1 (today) you will be more inclined to encourage it through the canter to trot transition.

    Your Position Through the Transition

    There is a tendency for riders to either lean back or collapse forward when riding the canter to trot transition. Either of these things is going to make for an uncomfortable entry to the trot.  If riders lean back, it encourages the horse to become hollow.  Simply put, the energy no longer flows from the back end to the front end.  Hollowness also causes a really uncomfortable ‘bumpiness’ to happen!
    Keep in mind that there is also a tendency for many horses to become heavy in front when they get back into the trot from the canter.  The rider sitting perched on the withers will only amplify this!
    Your focus should be on maintaining your alignment, before during and after the transition.  This will put you in the best position to communicate with your horse.  And also, to allow your horse to actually do what you have asked him to do.
    Again, practice this as you work between halt, walk, and trot.  Use the slower gaits to really begin training your body to remain aligned, so that when you do ask for the canter to trot transition, your body will be more inclined to remain in alignment.

    The Canter to Trot Transition

    Simple things practiced correctly before you ever get into canter can really help you to improve this transition.  Finally, I am also going to suggest getting back into a rising trot, posting to the trot, as soon as possible after the transition. This will allow you to establish your balance more quickly.
    And, the rising trot will encourage a more rhythmic trot from the first step as well.
    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    The Original Returning to Riding Program

    Are you looking for a way to get back into confident regular riding again? If so, I have a step-by-step, day-by-day plan to help you make this a reality that works with your existing lifestyle.
    The Original Returning to Riding Program is an audio program, that plays from a podcast that you subscribe to on your phone.  Each day, new training or lesson is available for you to use as you make the transition from ‘grounded’ to regular riding again. You can find out more about it HERE

    Additional Resources on This Topic