How do i get my horse to have a nice and easy canter?

Question

im kinda just starting dressage but my horse has a very not steady fast canter and it is not nice to ride and its not too proper for dressage. How can i get her to have a nice steady easy canter?

Answer 1

The Best Way Is To Have An Easy/ In Control Trot. In My Stable There's This Pony Who Was Incredibly Difficult To Control In Canter Because SHE Had The Control. I Used To Be Quite Scared! But One Lesson I Decided I Would Try My Best And NOT Be Scared.. My Teacher Said To Get A Nice Controlled Trot First And Not Let Her Canter Until I Want Her To, Then If She's Listening, Ask For Canter.. IT WORKED!!! She's A Great Ride In Canter Now And Seems To Now Understand That That's The Canter Everybody Wants! :)

I Hope This Helps :)

Answer 2

Like someone else said sort out your trot before you step up a gear. After that use half-halts and lots of transitions so she doesnt go tanking off! Keep a good contact and soft hands. Speak to her and pat her neck as you go round and keep her calm.

A useful exercise is trying to  get the slowest canter possible wothout it being a trot.

gid luck!

Answer 3

You could try trotting some circles and then cantering them.

20m circles.

if you can get him on the bit as well might help. just to slow them down a little

Answer 4

The first thing is to have a nice collected trot. It sounds like you are going into your canter without first getting her working properly at the trot.  I would work more on achieving collection at the trot before cantering.

Answer 5

same as my horse, just pull back on the reins slightly sit deep in the saddle and think about doing a steady canter and move how you would. it tends 2work but you really have to think or it doesnt work, kinda like body language.

Answer 6

lots of bending flexing and working on balance and suppleness! you need to build your horse up at a trot first, then move onto a canter on a controlled circle to get balance and rhythm. There's no quick fix for a rush canter, just patience, and work. It also sounds like your horse is cantering on the forehand, meaning you will need to elevate her shoulder to get her to rock back. The more balanced her trot AND canter becomes the easier and slower her canter will become. However don't worry about the speed, once you get a nice canter you will be able to collect her up and get a much "rounder" canter.  

Answer 7

You could try lunging her first and teaching her that way. Like someone else said sitting deep in the saddle and thinking of a steady canter. Try schooling moves in canter, even just circles should steady her and get her thinking.