justa 'lil canter question..

[lovechick]

we're doing canter now, and we're starting with just 2-point canter for now, then sitting one, my question is when I canter at 2-point I hold the mane and the reins with both hands, and I'm having hard time stopping the horse after it starts cantering fast, I pull back but its hard since both of my hands are taken...

Any advice?

[Brown]

Phew lovechick! I think you are improving on your horse riding. I have no experience with them before. The only time i sat on one was many years back in a zoo!!

Maybe you can post a picture of yourself sitting on your horse during your lesson? Get a friend to take for you? I sure love to see some greats pictures!!

[PyscoFalcon]

What do you mean by 2-point canter.

You sit to the canter - hold on to the saddle with 1 hand if you need to and both reins in the other.

When slowing down or stopping sit really deep in the saddle and put all your weight back and gently squeeze the reins.



The only other way to canter is cross country style - standing up and leaning forwards with hands on either side of neck.

To slow down and stop in this position do the same, sit back down in the saddle and put all you weight down.

The less weight on a horses back the faster they go.

[Nevertoomany]

If you need to lean on the mane you are not ready to canter.

It means you don't have the strength in your leg or the balance to do a "2 point" canter.

WHY you would want to do this is beyond me but.....

You should NOT hold onto the saddle either. You should be able to control the speed of your horse using your weight as PyscoFalcon has said.
The deeper you sit the slower your horse should go.

Doing a "2 point" canter is also called being ahead of your horses motion. This is how you get hurt. You should NEVER be ahead of the motion of your horse. If you watch Olympic riders they are not leaning forwaard but straight up when they are cantering . The ONLY time you want to be in a 2 point is after your hose has taken off and before it lands. Otherwise you are ahead of the motion and that is NOT good.

[MagnoliaFly]

I can understand practicing two point canter to prepare to jump at a canter. I did, but yes you should be able to already balance regularly in the seat at the canter and slow/stop your horse without pulling on the reins.
If you sit deeply in the saddle and put all your weight into it instead of having that foward seat it WILL slow down your horse as it unbalances it and causes it to compensate. This should be one of the first things learned at the canter instead of pulling on the reins (which sometimes pisses off the horse and makes it go faster instead of stop).

You need to learn to give your horse enough rein so when it canters it doesnt get jerked in the mouth because your hanging on so tight. Have your trainer (or an advanced friend) lunge you at the canter without reins for a while so you can get used to balancing on your own and not on the horses mouth.

[lovechick]

the 2 point canter is used by all beginners, then we learn half-seat,the teacher is very experienced and knows what to do so I'm pretty sure she's right. but its still hard for me to sit back when in full speed cause I'm afraid I'm leaning to far off and might fall off.
Thanks for advice, I hope to get better..

As for the pics Brown I dont have any of me in action, cause I have lessons at night and the pictures come out really dark plus my scanner is crazy!!lol but here are few

~Me and current horsey I ride "Bayman"


~Me near the outdoor arena


~and me on Badger(the turtle horse, so slooow but so lovable)