Advice on sterring while cantering on horse riding?

Question

Hey, I am only on my 3rd horse riding lesson and in total had about 1hr and 30 mins total lesson time so I know its early days however I am having real problems when cantering, I am fine going straight but having to turn is the problem, I turn my head and whole upper half to the direction and the rein but sometimes the horse continues straight on or just stops, my instructor says he is at it with me and to kick him and keep him moving. Is their any other tips on steering the horse? Or is it just something that comes in time?

Answer 1

Horse must be leading with the same leg as direction its going..i.e going left led with left..Think you get it to change leg if needed is to shift your body weight..

Answer 2

A horse is directed by the riders legs as well as the reins, this will come through experience and practise.

Answer 3

When you pull your rein left put your right heel into the horse. Same thing when you pull him right, use your left heel. Also being on the correct lead does make a difference when cantering.

Answer 4

Controlling the direction of the horse is the same, be it in walk, trot or canter.

You are right in saying that you need to look where you are going and to ever so slightly turn your upper body in the direction of travel.

You need to squeeze with your inside leg to ask the horse to bend around your leg, as well as asking with the inside rein.  The outside rein is for controlling the speed.  If the horse stops you are holding too tightly on to the reins, try loosening your grip a little!

Your instructor is probably right that the horse is taking the mickey with you - they all do it from time to time! - especially as you are a begiiner.

I have to say that I am surprised that you are cantering alone after only three lessons, really you should still be learning to trot and walk, or at the very least you should be cantering on a lunge line so that your instructor has some control.

When I was teaching I certainly would not let anyone attempt to canter until they were secure and established in walk and trot, as the canter is a very different movement and can be frightening for some people.