How do I stop my horse from running into the canter?

Question

How do I stop my horse from running into the canter?

Answer 1

Keep the transitons very smooth, you want a smooth controled trot then you need to ask him clearly to canter on a bend obvoiusly, not ask and then wait a minuit you want the canter there and then, if the horse doen't listen to your leg or understand give a tap with the schooling whip behind your leg to make the request clearer. Then if it is a balance problem let him canter round at his keep him going untill he finds his pace and it is steady. It will come with time and perseverence as the horse becomes more balanced the canter will become slower smother and more controlled! You must sit up and deep in the saddle when asking for the canter none of this sitting right forward malarky, your horse might listen to a half hault when you 1st ask for canter too!

Answer 2

You need to have a balanced trot to start with. A horse that is unbalanced and leaning on the forehand finds it extremely difficult to transition smoothly into canter.

If you get the trot right but then he just charges forward into a run you have to bring him back with half halts, reestablish the balance and ask for the canter again.

Work on lots of transitions to polish this - count strides - six strides trot, six strides canter and back to trot again.

Trust me - it works

Answer 3

If he/she does this often then I would probly walk trot and push him/her into a canter if they start troting to fast when I begin to ask then I bring him/her back to a walk and walk until he/she calms down.

Answer 4

Your problem is probably your riding position, when you ride a horse that likes to go wether you want to or not you hav to sit very deep in the saddle. sit back and keep you thighs on the saddle you shouldn't be able to see light between your thighs and the saddle.

If your horse makes you nervous that might have something to do with it, if your excitef so are they. take deep breaths. stay calm.

Answer 5

I had this problem with a little Welsh Cob mare, and what I noticed work was, when I asked for the canter, I did is slowly and gently. During the whole ride I would keep my legs lightly against her side (she'd try and take off, but I'd hold her back) until she got used to the feeling of light pressure, then when I asked for a trot or a canter, she didn't JUMP right into it, I eased her in. It worked for this mare, you should try it on your horse.

Answer 6

Try to go from a walk to the trot and then slowly allow him to go into the canter. If he gets excited easily, calm him down before doing the canter.

Answer 7

You correct him immediately when he starts running. Stop, immediately, start again. Give him a moment to lift off into the canter departure, as you're asking him to do. If he falls into it or starts running, whoa. Say, "No," firmly. Sit back, relax, and do it again. Should he start running even more at first then whoa and make him back a few steps before you begin again. This is an immediate, calm, patient way to communicate to him that running into a canter is not what you want and will not earn him a release. The very first time he gives you that departure you're looking for...whoa, praise, dismount, loosen girth, rub and rub. You're done for that day!

He won't forget what it is he's supposed to do, and as you continue working with him you can use this system to further refine his departure. Horses understand this system and respond very well to it. It's the rider's job to keep it calm and constructive. Good luck.

PS Debi's also right. Don't neglect your transition work. It's one of the single most valuable things you can work on with your horse.

Answer 8

I had this problem with my horse. I taught him voice commands and they helped alot and were suprisingly easy. Teach him walk on, trot, canter, and gallop if you want. When you are trotting get him into a comfy trot and give him a good kick to make him go into a canter, if he doesn't listen halt him and try again until he listens, it may mean you need to give him a good kick. Good luck, u don't neccesarily need to be rough, only if he is acting out and being naughty.

Answer 9

You mean other than shooting it dead?