Training the Canter

caitlin422 · 09-06-2008, 07:56 AM

Walk and trot are great. Bella is a wonderful learner and just loves it, very quick at putting concepts together. The canter though, is the most difficult yet for her to grasp. She understand the cues and picks up the canter, I don't worry about the correct lead yet. But, I cannot get her to steer at all, and I cannot get her to collect herself without breaking, and I cannot get her to make it around corners. She breaks when SHE wants, so I have to force her back into the canter, so she learns "you go until I say so". But, I feel like we aren't connecting on that understanding eachother level here yet. She's getting a little stressed about the canter, and I don't know how else to work with her so she's more relaxed, more willing to understand.

Any ideas?

MatchMaker · 09-06-2008, 08:04 AM

I'm in a very similar predicament. Depending on the horse there are many ways of working through this and so I will give you my two favorites.

a) lunging. Teaching the canter on the lunge line helps a horse learn to balance itself. Remember that the canter has a moment of suspension in it unlike the walk and trot. It is therefore harder for the horse to balance with the rider on it at the canter than the trot. If she learns to balance without a rider on the lunge line she may have an easier time under saddle.

b) go for quality not quantity. If she can't do corners yet don't do corners. Have a system in place. First she must pick up the canter and maybe only go for a few strides. It sounds like she's mastered the pick up so I would now make sure she gets the canter from a well-balanced trot and then go halfway down a long side. Ask for the trot before she breaks to it and praise her. Down the next long side get another canter. From here you work up to getting the whole long side. Then maybe part of a corner etc. etc. Keep the canter a pleasant experience.
Good Luck.

Thekidsmum · 09-06-2008, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caitlin422

Walk and trot are great. Bella is a wonderful learner and just loves it, very quick at putting concepts together. The canter though, is the most difficult yet for her to grasp. She understand the cues and picks up the canter, I don't worry about the correct lead yet. But, I cannot get her to steer at all, and I cannot get her to collect herself without breaking, and I cannot get her to make it around corners. She breaks when SHE wants, so I have to force her back into the canter, so she learns "you go until I say so". But, I feel like we aren't connecting on that understanding eachother level here yet. She's getting a little stressed about the canter, and I don't know how else to work with her so she's more relaxed, more willing to understand.

Any ideas?

It sounds to me like she is a young green broke horse. Collection will come later. So will corners.

We laugh and smile at our kids wobbling running gait when they are learning but expect our horses to perform like seasoned old timers?

How well would you run/jog with a moving load on your back? Probably not well and you too would break if you could on the corners.

I suggest letting your horse learning to balance you before you try those things. Some horses are better at it than others.

Just ask for a canter after the proper preparation then only down the long side of the arena, then ask them to come back to a steady trot for the corners.

Your horse isn't being a bad, lazy or naughty horse. He is just trying to do what you ask to the best of his CURRENT abilities.

XtendedTrot · 09-06-2008, 09:37 AM

It took my horse a while to learn how to canter correctly without looking like she was going to fall over...she was so wobbly it was scary. Collection will come once your horse builds muscle and a topline and learns how to canter correctly. I lunge my horse using side reins and a sursingle (sp). It makes them a work a little harder than free lunging and teaches them to use their hindquarters verse pulling from the front end. I laugh because some people will free lunge their horse for 20-25 minutes and the horse barely breaks a sweat. I only lunge for 10 minutes and she is all foamed up. It's because when you make them do it correctly it involves much more work on their part. The corners will come with time

She needs to learn to balance the weight or herself plus the weight of a rider. Good luck.

recklesshoundog · 09-06-2008, 10:23 AM

Isn't she quite young? She just might not be physically ready to canter with you just yet. I had to wait until 4 with my big one.

Collection will be even longer after she learns to carry you at the canter.

caitlin422 · 09-06-2008, 10:30 AM

I've asked a lot of people on the age of when to break her and what to do with her, and do feel that there is no more stress upon her at a walk, trot, and canter now than her playing as roughly as she does in the pasture. However, as I said, there is no jumping, even free jumping, until she ages over 4, and even then it is dependent on her structure.

Bella is not very large. She is big bodied, but not carrying much. She's 15.2hh. She enjoys the work, loves when we work outside the best! She doesn't look bad at all, really. Nor does she feel wobbly, she just doesn't seem to really understand the concept. After hearing from you guys though, more of a longer stepping stone process should work well for her, and understanding that it's normal for the canter to take longer to get down makes me feel much better about it. Thanks for the help and encouragement!

lbequ4002 · 09-06-2008, 11:45 AM

i'd get her out of the ring every once in awhile to canter. Circles and corners do require balance. I let my guys canter on the trail when they are comfortable. they usually canter longer before breaking and learn how to balance with the rider while staying more relaxed. That way too you can stay out of her way as in you don't have to steer just let her go down the trail. Also you might try doing the same thing in a large pasture to let her get going. I have a lot of draftxs that have a hard time cantering in the arena and cantering around the pasture with no restrictions helps them improve balance and learn how to carry a rider. if she gets tense or worried about the canter she's going to have an even harder time learning to balance.

recklesshoundog · 09-06-2008, 01:52 PM

I wasn't giving you a hard time about her age. I don't think she's too young to start, I've just noticed in my history some need extra time at the canter to be able to do it. It takes balance to carry someone on their back that she just might not be ready for yet. Your description of hard to steer made me think of one I started that would use her neck to balance until she figured the whole thing out. They kind of get "wooden" and stiff as opposed to wobbly. They also tend to think they have to move bigger to be able to balance. It will come with patience and perserverence.

I agree with the outdoors if you can do it. My favorite place to canter the first time is up a nice slow sloping hill near my place. It's straight so no steering issues and if they take off they are tired by the top!

Trails with a buddy teach the youngsters soooo much.

rivervu2 · 09-06-2008, 02:00 PM

Also, transitions will help with her balance. When you ask for the downward transition use your seat instead of your hands. This will hep her balance and stay off the forehand.

**Range** · 09-06-2008, 02:56 PM

When training a "greenie" in the canter, I always work on the lunge line regularly. On their backs, I just canter straightaways and break them down in the corners until they are much more willing and responsive. Also, I only do a couple of rounds before I quit so as to not wear out those newly used muscles and giving them pain.

EquineAlberta · 09-07-2008, 06:28 PM

She is a three year old warmblood right? For some reason, they do seem to be more likely than other breeds to need to wait a little longer to be able to canter. I think it is because of how much they use their backs in comparison to some other breeds.

For one of my own horses, I would just wait. Work on leg yeilding and shoulder fore first as these will help her with the canter, and help you to be able to balance her for it.

If you have a helper, you can also try having someone lunge you on her at canter, while you sit as still as possible.

Their balance DOES change a lot with the addition of a rider at a canter, as the canter requires more back motion than the other gaits and she may feel her back is restricted by the weight of a rider and the presence of the saddle. You can help get her used to rounding her back up with a rider on by trotting slightly elevated poles (6" or so).

Karen

HorseLvr76 · 09-10-2008, 10:17 AM

I have a WB cross that is 3, and just starting under saddle. Lunging at the canter really helps them gain balance, learn leads, etc... maybe try lunging at the canter-get her used to keeping the canter and not breaking, and see if that helps.

barnmom · 09-10-2008, 11:45 AM

When Nicole trained gracie to canter she did tons of lunge line work and didn't even ask for it undersaddle until she would break into it from just a kiss, so Gracie knew, no question, that meant canter and she only used half the arena for a while undersaddle, until she was balanced and had muscles built up, or you only set yourself and your horse up for failure if all the basics aren't taken care of first.

That plan worked great for us and she still breaks right into a canter/lope from just one kiss, she still gets her basics done on the lungeline.

boisegirl78 · 09-11-2008, 12:51 AM

I would just ask for the canter, and then ask for a downward transition right before she breaks on her own, fix your trot or walk regather and ask her again in a while. I too, would avoid corners, but I do like to do a big arch with the young ones... like start in one corner (facing away from the longside rail behind you headed toward the corner) , but instead of following it to the next corner cut the corner and make a arch along the long side cutting the next corner so you are facing the longside wall that was behind you in the begining if that makes any sense at all.

once she starts to get a little more comfy in the canter and isnt getting upset about it, I would start asking her to get back into the canter sooner after a downward transition.

I am also careful not to try and mess with the canter at all much until the horse has a solid cue for the canter, and will maintain it for a reasonable amount of time. I just let them go. If you get involved trying to collect it they start to wonder if they are suppose to be cantering in the first place. So if they start to get really speedy, or feel out of control, I will just stop them, back up a few steps and walk for a while and then try again.

I also like to leg yield before asking for a canter.. will push the horse away from the lead Im going to ask for.. so If im circling clockwise or to the right I will use my right leg to push the horse out of the circle alittle (or towards the rail) and then ask for the canter. This helps set them up for a nice canter.

I will also canter a few strides (usually until they start to want to speed up or break) and then stop back a few steps, stand a minute and do a hunch turn or forehand turn, and then canter off again. Just becareful to not ALWAYS canter off, or they will anticipate.

when Im working with the canter on young ones the first thing I ask for is just the transition... a few strides of canter, when I can consistantly get that then I start to ask for continuing to canter until I say stop. at this point, I keep them on a reasonably loose rein.. I just want them to canter, nothing else, if they are cantering no matter how ugly im satisfied.

When they consistantly will just canter, then I begin to ask for alittle steering.. maybe a cut the arena in half,

then I start asking for a relaxed canter. this is where I like to do alot of starting and stopping, with backing, hunch turns, lateral work etc. I still will keep the horse on a reasonably loose rein, and I will not ask for any sort of collection.. I just want the horse to slow down a little and be comfortable cantering. I will also increase the steering skills... more circles.

once you have consistant relaxation, even in a circle, consistant maintaining of the canter, only then will I ask for the horse to start collecting.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Training a solid Canter	Longshot	Training	2	05-20-2008 05:59 PM
Bucking at canter. Pain or training?? Need help!	NewtoMules	Training	19	02-22-2008 10:33 PM
doesn't canter	donna	General Horse Advice	10	03-15-2007 02:32 AM
Training to Canter?	Charlies'_Angel	Training	14	05-10-2005 01:15 PM
Training a horse to canter?Help	equinejumper13	Training	2	10-26-2004 11:50 AM

09-06-2008, 07:56 AM
caitlin422 Halter broke Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: central NY, USA Posts: 183	Training the Canter Walk and trot are great. Bella is a wonderful learner and just loves it, very quick at putting concepts together. The canter though, is the most difficult yet for her to grasp. She understand the cues and picks up the canter, I don't worry about the correct lead yet. But, I cannot get her to steer at all, and I cannot get her to collect herself without breaking, and I cannot get her to make it around corners. She breaks when SHE wants, so I have to force her back into the canter, so she learns "you go until I say so". But, I feel like we aren't connecting on that understanding eachother level here yet. She's getting a little stressed about the canter, and I don't know how else to work with her so she's more relaxed, more willing to understand. Any ideas? __________________ "There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a (wo)man." My friend and partner Bella'Czar (June 6, 2005) Rheinland Pfalz-Saar Silver Premium (Balta'Czar x Rachels Binky (tb))

09-06-2008, 08:04 AM
MatchMaker Halter broke Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 178	I'm in a very similar predicament. Depending on the horse there are many ways of working through this and so I will give you my two favorites. a) lunging. Teaching the canter on the lunge line helps a horse learn to balance itself. Remember that the canter has a moment of suspension in it unlike the walk and trot. It is therefore harder for the horse to balance with the rider on it at the canter than the trot. If she learns to balance without a rider on the lunge line she may have an easier time under saddle. b) go for quality not quantity. If she can't do corners yet don't do corners. Have a system in place. First she must pick up the canter and maybe only go for a few strides. It sounds like she's mastered the pick up so I would now make sure she gets the canter from a well-balanced trot and then go halfway down a long side. Ask for the trot before she breaks to it and praise her. Down the next long side get another canter. From here you work up to getting the whole long side. Then maybe part of a corner etc. etc. Keep the canter a pleasant experience. Good Luck.

09-06-2008, 09:37 AM
XtendedTrot Halter broke Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 103	It took my horse a while to learn how to canter correctly without looking like she was going to fall over...she was so wobbly it was scary. Collection will come once your horse builds muscle and a topline and learns how to canter correctly. I lunge my horse using side reins and a sursingle (sp). It makes them a work a little harder than free lunging and teaches them to use their hindquarters verse pulling from the front end. I laugh because some people will free lunge their horse for 20-25 minutes and the horse barely breaks a sweat. I only lunge for 10 minutes and she is all foamed up. It's because when you make them do it correctly it involves much more work on their part. The corners will come with time She needs to learn to balance the weight or herself plus the weight of a rider. Good luck.

09-06-2008, 10:23 AM
recklesshoundog Started Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NY Posts: 2,464	Isn't she quite young? She just might not be physically ready to canter with you just yet. I had to wait until 4 with my big one. Collection will be even longer after she learns to carry you at the canter.

09-06-2008, 10:30 AM
caitlin422 Halter broke Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: central NY, USA Posts: 183	I've asked a lot of people on the age of when to break her and what to do with her, and do feel that there is no more stress upon her at a walk, trot, and canter now than her playing as roughly as she does in the pasture. However, as I said, there is no jumping, even free jumping, until she ages over 4, and even then it is dependent on her structure. Bella is not very large. She is big bodied, but not carrying much. She's 15.2hh. She enjoys the work, loves when we work outside the best! She doesn't look bad at all, really. Nor does she feel wobbly, she just doesn't seem to really understand the concept. After hearing from you guys though, more of a longer stepping stone process should work well for her, and understanding that it's normal for the canter to take longer to get down makes me feel much better about it. Thanks for the help and encouragement! __________________ "There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a (wo)man." My friend and partner Bella'Czar (June 6, 2005) Rheinland Pfalz-Saar Silver Premium (Balta'Czar x Rachels Binky (tb))

09-06-2008, 11:45 AM
lbequ4002 Yearling Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Central AL Posts: 775	i'd get her out of the ring every once in awhile to canter. Circles and corners do require balance. I let my guys canter on the trail when they are comfortable. they usually canter longer before breaking and learn how to balance with the rider while staying more relaxed. That way too you can stay out of her way as in you don't have to steer just let her go down the trail. Also you might try doing the same thing in a large pasture to let her get going. I have a lot of draftxs that have a hard time cantering in the arena and cantering around the pasture with no restrictions helps them improve balance and learn how to carry a rider. if she gets tense or worried about the canter she's going to have an even harder time learning to balance.

09-06-2008, 01:52 PM
recklesshoundog Started Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NY Posts: 2,464	I wasn't giving you a hard time about her age. I don't think she's too young to start, I've just noticed in my history some need extra time at the canter to be able to do it. It takes balance to carry someone on their back that she just might not be ready for yet. Your description of hard to steer made me think of one I started that would use her neck to balance until she figured the whole thing out. They kind of get "wooden" and stiff as opposed to wobbly. They also tend to think they have to move bigger to be able to balance. It will come with patience and perserverence. I agree with the outdoors if you can do it. My favorite place to canter the first time is up a nice slow sloping hill near my place. It's straight so no steering issues and if they take off they are tired by the top! Trails with a buddy teach the youngsters soooo much.

09-06-2008, 02:00 PM
rivervu2 Yearling Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 990	Also, transitions will help with her balance. When you ask for the downward transition use your seat instead of your hands. This will hep her balance and stay off the forehand.

09-06-2008, 02:56 PM
Range Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Back of Beyond Posts: 5,728	When training a "greenie" in the canter, I always work on the lunge line regularly. On their backs, I just canter straightaways and break them down in the corners until they are much more willing and responsive. Also, I only do a couple of rounds before I quit so as to not wear out those newly used muscles and giving them pain. __________________ If it harms none, do what you will.

09-07-2008, 06:28 PM
EquineAlberta Seasoned Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 4,470	She is a three year old warmblood right? For some reason, they do seem to be more likely than other breeds to need to wait a little longer to be able to canter. I think it is because of how much they use their backs in comparison to some other breeds. For one of my own horses, I would just wait. Work on leg yeilding and shoulder fore first as these will help her with the canter, and help you to be able to balance her for it. If you have a helper, you can also try having someone lunge you on her at canter, while you sit as still as possible. Their balance DOES change a lot with the addition of a rider at a canter, as the canter requires more back motion than the other gaits and she may feel her back is restricted by the weight of a rider and the presence of the saddle. You can help get her used to rounding her back up with a rider on by trotting slightly elevated poles (6" or so). Karen __________________ Hillside Stable, Ardrossan, AB Do unto others as you would have them do unto you...is it really that hard?

09-10-2008, 10:17 AM
HorseLvr76 Weanling Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 406	I have a WB cross that is 3, and just starting under saddle. Lunging at the canter really helps them gain balance, learn leads, etc... maybe try lunging at the canter-get her used to keeping the canter and not breaking, and see if that helps.

09-10-2008, 11:45 AM
barnmom Coming two Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: northeast pennsylvania Posts: 1,848	When Nicole trained gracie to canter she did tons of lunge line work and didn't even ask for it undersaddle until she would break into it from just a kiss, so Gracie knew, no question, that meant canter and she only used half the arena for a while undersaddle, until she was balanced and had muscles built up, or you only set yourself and your horse up for failure if all the basics aren't taken care of first. That plan worked great for us and she still breaks right into a canter/lope from just one kiss, she still gets her basics done on the lungeline. __________________ Remember to thank the horses for the happiness and joy we experience through them! It's nice to be important, but more important to be nice!

09-11-2008, 12:51 AM
boisegirl78 Halter broke Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boise, Id Posts: 124	I would just ask for the canter, and then ask for a downward transition right before she breaks on her own, fix your trot or walk regather and ask her again in a while. I too, would avoid corners, but I do like to do a big arch with the young ones... like start in one corner (facing away from the longside rail behind you headed toward the corner) , but instead of following it to the next corner cut the corner and make a arch along the long side cutting the next corner so you are facing the longside wall that was behind you in the begining if that makes any sense at all. once she starts to get a little more comfy in the canter and isnt getting upset about it, I would start asking her to get back into the canter sooner after a downward transition. I am also careful not to try and mess with the canter at all much until the horse has a solid cue for the canter, and will maintain it for a reasonable amount of time. I just let them go. If you get involved trying to collect it they start to wonder if they are suppose to be cantering in the first place. So if they start to get really speedy, or feel out of control, I will just stop them, back up a few steps and walk for a while and then try again. I also like to leg yield before asking for a canter.. will push the horse away from the lead Im going to ask for.. so If im circling clockwise or to the right I will use my right leg to push the horse out of the circle alittle (or towards the rail) and then ask for the canter. This helps set them up for a nice canter. I will also canter a few strides (usually until they start to want to speed up or break) and then stop back a few steps, stand a minute and do a hunch turn or forehand turn, and then canter off again. Just becareful to not ALWAYS canter off, or they will anticipate. when Im working with the canter on young ones the first thing I ask for is just the transition... a few strides of canter, when I can consistantly get that then I start to ask for continuing to canter until I say stop. at this point, I keep them on a reasonably loose rein.. I just want them to canter, nothing else, if they are cantering no matter how ugly im satisfied. When they consistantly will just canter, then I begin to ask for alittle steering.. maybe a cut the arena in half, then I start asking for a relaxed canter. this is where I like to do alot of starting and stopping, with backing, hunch turns, lateral work etc. I still will keep the horse on a reasonably loose rein, and I will not ask for any sort of collection.. I just want the horse to slow down a little and be comfortable cantering. I will also increase the steering skills... more circles. once you have consistant relaxation, even in a circle, consistant maintaining of the canter, only then will I ask for the horse to start collecting.