hard to canter...

[lovechick]

I've been riding for about 6 months now, and I feel that I'm improving slowly, I enjoy jumping especially, but its really hard for me to do canter, when I start cantering I do trot first, then go to 2-point and then canter. But its hard for me to get the horse canter little longer, it never lasts more than 1/2 lap. I kick and use crop but the horse will try to go inside or stop on turns, and when i canter it feels really uncomfortable, like I'm just hanging on there, not really enjoying it, when others do it,they look relaxed, but to me its all tension. I know I will improve as time passes by, but I want to get better at it, I have 2 more girls in my group, they both have 2 lessons per week and I have 1, so theyre much better than me, already doing half-seat, and I still cant get the 2-point.

Do u guys have any tips that will help me improve?

THANKS!!

[PyscoFalcon]

You should always learn to canter sitting down as you'll have more weight to drive the horse forward (seat and legs) and more balance. When you stand up you not only have to try and control the horse but also to balance and stay in rythme with the horse.

Sitting down you have the balance, may be bumpy at first until you find the rythme but it's alot safer for the horse (no jabbing in the mouth) and you should have more control.

In the UK we never learn how to canter standing up until we can canter and gallop sitting down and trot standing up. Then when we can canter standing up we can learn to jump. (you have to stand up when taking off at the jump and during x county)

What I mean by standing up is where you raise up out of the saddle a bit standing in your stirrups but leening forwards.

[MagnoliaFly]

Lovechick ask your instructor to put your horse on a lunge line and keep it going at the canter so you can canter in 3 point (full seat, sitting tall and moving in time with the horse) this way you can improve your balance and get used to the horses rhythm without having to worry about keeping it going at first. Gradually your instructor should have you put your leg on the horse to keep him going. That outside leg should always have more pressure on the horse at the canter to tell it to keep going, keep it steady and behind the girth. It is hard to try and learn this in two-point, I'd advise you speak to your instructor about your problems and see if she can give you some special excercises to help you out.

Because you are taking one lesson a week this is going to be hard for you to get used to. Your muscles will tighten up again before the next lesson and you'll forget all your balance. It helps to get a few 1 hour rides (not lessons, just in a round pen) maybe bareback to keep those muscles loose and ready and your brain will remember how to keep your seat. Only walk and slow trot bareback since your still working on the canter in the saddle. It will be harder than it sounds. See if you can work that out with your instructor. It always helps to talk with them about your problems after the lesson and see if they can fashion your lesson around your problem areas to help you along and to gain more confidence.

[Shemmyboy]

hey lovechick, practice practice practice! Anyways, the best way to ride horribly and fall is to show off. So what that the other girls have 2 days a week! At least you are riding a horse, which is my fav thing to do.

[lovechick]

yeah I know, but I want to get better at it sooo badly!! I know that I'm getting better, but once a week is just not enough...I wish I could have my own horse and ride every day.. maybe i'll be able to lease like u do... Do u think leasing is a good option? and if not a secret how much do u pay for half-lease?
Thanks!

[Shemmyboy]

That picture is you???? That is great!!!!!!!!!! Leasing is an excellent option than owning a pony or horse. For me, My next door neighbor had a companion pony that needed excersize and she was asking for a small child to ride him, and she didn't want to charge alot of money for that. Of course, We didn't know anything about her at that time. So my best friend's mom runs a pet-sitting buisness, and Karen(the person who owns the pony) needed somebody to take care of her dogs. So my BF mom tells my mom about this and We immediately accepted. At the time we were doing one week lessons like you. So I've been riding this cute little dun pony for about 10 months in july! We have been doing 2 days/week for about 150 $. Most half- leases are like 200 though, we got lucky. I will find out 4 u.
gtg
shemmyboy