Re: Tips wanted for improving canter


"jojo" <joanne.richardson3@xxxxxxxxx> wrote

He is 9yr old (broken at 5 years in a manner of speaking and then we
restarted him as a 6 year old) 17hh ISH 1/2tb 1/2ID.

OK, just thinking out loud here:

Basically he's worked long and low but into the contact and forward

How forward going / forward thinking would you say he is?
How straight do you think he is? Remember because you are used to him, he
may be crooked without you even realising it. It sounds to me like he could
be crooked to start with, has anyone ever checked this for you from the
ground while you are riding him in walk and trot?

whats what!) in walk trot and canter and then I collect him up and work
through transitions (indirect/direct) and transitions within the pace at
trot.

How long do you spend in walk? The walking part can be crucial, especially
for a big horse like yours (and mine). The walking is the first thing that
will get him moving through his back and loosen any tightness. Walking on a
long rein in straight lines, no circles except where you have to turn in the
arena of course, but with a light contact until you can really feel his back
moving and a clear 4 beat walk.
This could take anything up to 20 mins or longer depending on the horse. It
also enables you to get him very evenly in both reins, between both legs and
straight before you start trotting or cantering.
Walking over poles will make it slightly more interesting for the horse, as
well as getting him to move his pelvis and back slightly more.

I also use lateral work a great deal, which he enjoys and keeps him supple
and responsive.

If he is not straight to start with, I don't think lateral work will help.

are great on one rein trot to canter, but he finds he needs to do a hop
into the right rein canter.

That is probably all part of the evasion from stepping under with the right
hind, which he has swung out from underneath him to avoid stepping under, if
you see what I mean.
Do you find he pushes back against your right leg when you ask for right
canter?
Going back to my first thoughts about the walking bit of warm-up - problems
with hind leg straightness (as in not following the track of the same
foreleg) often originate from tightness in the back, behind the saddle area
so I do feel that you will find the walking beneficial.

Once in canter he finds it enough effort to carry himself about in a "ok"
outline

On top of all of this, you also need to look at yourself and see what you
might be doing or not doing with the right canter transition. The one thing
you must not do is give away the contact in an effort to help him with the
transition. Make sure you are sat softly *in* the saddle at all times, and
all the usual postural stuff like sitting up straight, in balance, with your
shoulders back and down. A good transition will usually guarantee you at
least a few nice strides of canter;-) If he can manage a few good strides,
then go back to trot or walk and build up slowly to longer stretches in
canter. Even if it means weeks until you can do a full circle!
Sue B


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