|
horse---> the canter
does anyone know how to slow a horse at the canter? I have an appendix quarter horse, and i ride hunt seat. He goes really fast at the canter, and i try to sit back and not dig my heels into him, but its harder to stay on. Any tips? thanks :]
[ ]
Want to answer more questions in the Miscellaneous category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Activism?
It's hard to give exact advice, since I can't actually see you and your horse to figure out the cause of the "problem", but I'll do my best. You might know most of this already, but I just want to make sure I don't leave things out incase you don't. I am an event rider and trainer, not a hunt seat rider, but I would assume that a lot of this applies universally to most disciplines.
First of all, how are you holding your reins? Some horses will toss their head and/or speed up if they are unhappy with the way you are positioning your hands against their mouth. Make sure that you have a nice bend in your elbow, and that you can draw a straight line from your elbow out to your hands - this will ensure that they are not being held too far up or down too close to the horse's neck. Widen your outside hand slightly and keep a light, constant pressure on your outside rein. This will help to support your horse, especially through corners, and will make it much easier for you to achieve the balanced, collected canter that you are aiming for. Your inside rein should only be used as a "backup" - do not put pressure on it unless you have to. Many riders instinctively put steady pressure on both reins to try to get their fast moving horses to slow down, but in actuality this just makes them go faster.
Your next step is to half-halt. You didn't mention if you have tried this or not, so I'm going to just assume that you haven't and explain it anyway. There are two variations of a half-halt, and can be performed one after the other if the first form does not get a result. First, make sure you sit back in the saddle. Then, remembering that the light pressure on your outside rein is to remain constant, take-and-give once with your inside rein, then release pressure on that rein. You may need to try again with increased pressure before your horse responds. Definitely make sure to release the pressure immediately when your horse responds. Repeat this every few strides, or as neccesary, until you can get your horse to remain at your ideal speed.
If your horse does not respond to this, your next step is two use a two-handed half-halt. Again, sit deep in the saddle, and do a sharp take-and-give motion with both hands. It is most effective if you can bring both hands up and back towards your chest, like you're lifting weights. When schooling at home, a good "WOAH" thrown in is always helpful if your horse is being unresponsive.
A good exercise is to set up ground poles or small cavaletti and practice collecting him up between them. Your horse will not want to hit his feet on the poles, and will have to adjust his stride and not rush in order to make it over cleanly. Make sure you are sitting back deep in the saddle, with wide hands and good contact, making sure to half-halt in between poles as needed. Counting out a steady "one-two-one-two-one-two" in your head, or even out loud, in time with each canter stride will help you to maintain a steady rythm.
When you are initially asking him to canter, if you are trotting, make sure it is a nice, controlled trot. If he start giving you a fast, strung out trot, immediately check him and put him into a controlled trot again. Do NOT let him fast-trot his way into the canter. You will NOT get a nice, controlled canter if you don't first have a nice, controlled trot.
You can also practice starting and stopping at certain points in the arena. If you have dressage letters around your arena it would be especially helpful, since you could pick certain letters to make your transitions. For example, walk to A, create impulsion and canter by F, half-halt and come to a complete stop at C, create impulsion and immediately pick up the canter, then half-halt and stop again at E, etc. You can also do this same exercise in various other patterns, such as serpentines and figure eights.
Last of all, make sure you're not gripping at all with your calves when your horse goes faster. It seems obvious, but a lot of riders do this without even realizing.
Good luck, and feel free to ask me any other questions that you have!
]
i'm assuming you've tried basic half-halts, and those aren't working. you could try bringing your horse into the canter, but if he sped up at all bringing him back down to the trot. that way, you'd be showing him that he has to either go your speed at the canter or he won't get to canter at all. also, try working in a smaller arena at first-that way your horse won't feel so "free" and have a greater urge to go.
staying relaxed is also a big thing with fast horses. sometimes people tense up when their horses speed up or feel out of control (not saying you do, i haven't seen you ride or anything), and this makes the horse go even faster. try relaxing and moving with your horses canter as much as you can, and don't keep constant pressure on the reins. half halting works much better.
hope that helps a little =]
you could also try talking to a riding instructor about this. they always seem to work miracles with my riding problems.
]
Hi,
Your horse seems like he enjoys to get-up and go. A for sure way to slow him down is to do your basic warm up (walk, trot, and canter) for 30 minutes, after you have done this he will a little more responsive. While cantering around the ring gently collect and release the reins as he pulls against them. He will eventually know what you are trying to tell him. Also cantering him in figure-eights or a smaller circle will help to bring him into check.
I hope it helps.
Best of Luck
]
More Questions: |