How do i sit better to a canter on my horse?

Question

I have been riding for a very long time on and off.

I just bought my own horse for the first time and

his trot & walk are excellent but when we start to canter i cant seem to sit to it i try to do the best i can and my trainer says i look fine it just doesnt feel right does anyone have tips for me?

Answer 1

omg i had the same problem.Have u tried to like  kinda stand up when the hooves are off the ground and sit when they are oun the ground? tHATS WHAT I FOUND WAS THE BEST WAY FOR ME ON THE CANTER AND TROT.

enjoy your horse. I will enjoy my horse gal

ttyl

Answer 2

simple problem very easy solution-

DO NO GRIP WITH YOUR KNEES THIS IS ABSOLUTELY WRONG.

DO NOT stand or lean forward this is extremely dangerous

Solution- simply shift your weight to the deepest point of the saddle and use your thigh muscles, do not grip with the knee,(especially hard for girls) and do not grip with the lower leg. Push your weight into your heels. Have your lower back loose enough to absorb and move with your horse and your upper body slightly stiller. Soft hands are a plus, leaning on the reins.

one other thing is helpful, ask someone more experienced to get on him and you watch. Is he moving ok? if not perhaps it is something with him. But if he is moving fine some more work is just needed and can be easy complished

Time is key, you'll make a great team with practice. being self-aware that something is not quiet right is great, and it shows you are aware of your and the horse's body.

(ps. if available rent a camera and record yourself riding. this can give you a better view of yourself and position on the horse)

Answer 3

ok if you dont got a comfy horse its kida hard to sit.. i got some advise... I ride saddleseat mostly but it is the same consept.... when you ask for the canter... push your heel deep down and push your knee down and into your saddle... what it does is put your butt and hips in the saddle...now if your horse has a long stride canter sit deep and sorta make circles with with your hips... push your shoulders back and let him lift you while your pushing your heel deep down... Once you get it you feel it and you will know how to sit to it.. keep practiciting

Answer 4

try sitting back just bit. keep your shoulders straight and knees bent. toes up, heels down and try NOT to grip with your lower leg. grip with your upper leg and that should help you keep balacne

Answer 5

best way to sti to canter,

HEALS DOWN.

and other then that just practise,

you'll get used to his gait & it'll be ALOT easier.

^-^

Answer 6

A tip i was given a few years ago, pretend there is a fifty dollar bill in between ur butt and the back of the saddle, keep ur middle loose but controlled enough not to be falling all over the shop. I find it so helpful. You'll naturally fall into step with your horse, it will also take time and practise.

Answer 7

i had the same problem. i had been riding on and off for a few years, and every time i rode again i couldnt sit to the canter properly.

some tips i like to use is to sit deeply in the saddle, and keep your lower legs a bit more forward than usual, this helps with your balance.

also, as eve said, you can pretend there is a fifty dollar note between your bottom and the back of the saddle. the aim is to try and keep it there (in your mind). what you should do to 'keep it there' is pretend that you are paralysed from the hips down. You should just go with the movements of your horse. sit straight, pretending that a string is pulling you up from your head, and the main tip is relax.

Another problem could be that your horse is still young. If this is the case, ask your instructor about taking him to a trainer to work on his canter.

If this is not the case, your horse might just have a jerky canter. Try lengthening his stride by placing ground poles at intervals, the intervals being larger than his stride, and longe him over them. It might take a few tries for him to stretch and make an effort to lengthen his stride, but you will get there.

By lengthening your horses stride you are changing his ‘jerky’ canter into a smooth rocking horse type canter. Below is a website describing how to sit to the canter:

http://www.guide2horseriding.com/p1_arti...

Hope I helped :)

Answer 8

Try using your knees and inner upper legs to grip the saddle and make sure you keep ur heals down in the stirrups and sit up straight with chest slightly out.  It basically all comes down to good leg muscles to hold you in the saddle.

Answer 9

hmmm

well id have to say just sit back and tighten your lower body.

i assume your first horse was bought recently so you probably just need to get used to his rhythm...

Answer 10

Something to consider is that it may not be your position.  If your horse is young or unfit, he may not be able to use his body correctly for a balanced, rythmic canter which it much easier to sit to.  If this is the case then some exercises to strengthen his hind end especially will improve this.  

If it is truly your position then your trainer should be able to help with doing some lunge line work without stirrups at the trot and canter to tune up your position.  Good Luck.  Don't give up, it will come.