How to keep the canter?

Question

I ride a horse that when you ask for him to do the canter he will do it for a couple of feet but then he will give up and go into a trot. Even when theres a horse infront of him he still loses it. He is not a old horse he is active and loves to jump. he has a wonderful trot but will not keep the canter. Can someone show me how to keep a canter longer. THANK YOU

Answer 1

He might just need to build up his muscles more. If I'm building up a horses endurance I'll canter them around the straightaways and trot the turns, because it's harder for a horse to turn cantering. When their also weaker they'll try to put their weight on the forehand so make sure you sit back and really make them use their back. Lean back and squeeze to keep the momentum, using spurs/crop if you have to. Sometimes my horse just gets lazy and I use a few X's to get him going [because he loves to jump also!]

Answer 2

Go back and work on your aids...mainly, you leg aids.  Take him out of the arena, and refresh what leg aids are and what they mean.  When you are satisfied that he has that under his hat, then proceed...you shouldn't have any problem...one thing extra...if you would spend more time out of the arena, on the road or wherever, keeping your horse in the gait that you have asked for...once you get in the arena, it is a piece of cake.

Answer 3

As you feel him slowing down to a trot, give him a little kick so that he doesn't have time to trot, that doesn't really make sense but as he is slowing to a trot but not yet there, give him a nudge to keep him cantering. He just sounds lazy, or maybe he just prefers trotting. If all else fails, just work on cantering exercises in the round yard. And it not already in use, introduce the crop. That may assist you.  

Answer 4

What you want to do is once in the canter keep BOTH of your legs on him and if he breaks even with both your legs on him just keep asking for the canter even in the trot and keep repeating it yur horse should keep the canter then

Answer 5

just when he slows down kick him and he should stay but you have to keep at it till your done

Answer 6

Don't lose sight of a physical problem.  Trotting and loping use different muscles and create different pressures on their feet and limbs.  Also check the comfort of the saddle and the pressure on shoulders.  

Answer 7

well you should b able to feel when he is about to trot and ask him to continue going...but if u do and he still breaks then he is either 1. lethargic because of poor diet plan and training plan not giving him enough enegry or 2.because he is dead to yuor leg, i do NOT recommend spurs but i do recommend you get him sensitive to your leg.start at the walk and ask him to move more forward with a light squeeze of leg, if he listens than praise him and continue until he is responding quickly, if he doesnt go more forward then you will need to use a stronger leg until he moved the least bit forward them immediatly praise him and continue with using a LITTLE less leg each time until he responds to a light squeeze.

good luck! =]]

Answer 8

Get after him!  Breaking into trot is unexepable, and if if you don't allow it, he shouln't do it.  Carry a crop with you; when you ask for canter, keep you leg back, to keep him going.  You can feel when a horse is going to go down to trot, so when he does that (even though your keeping your leg on) wack (not wack him, but enough to keep him going, you'll kinda know) him with the stick. He may give out a buck...but is he still cantering?  If he is, give him a pat and tell him good, good boy; who cares if he bucked, he kept cantering like you wanted him to (I only say this because I have seen people get mad at their horses when they did what they were supposed to do, but added a buck, it's hard work for them), apperently keeping canter is something he will have to work at.  Just remember to sit up strait, heels down, and relax while asking.  Always remember, Forward is Your Friend.  

Answer 9

Well my trainer told us too make sure you have corect posture and everytime you feel your but fall deep in the saddle touch your horse with your heels not a kick just a reassuring lets keep going and while your doing this in your head be thinking lets go *up in saddle* lets go  ** lets go ** like that sorta

Answer 10

You should be able to feel when your horse is going to slow into a trot again. When you feel him slowing, give him another tap (with either your heels or a crop). It seems like your horse knows that you will let him get away with slowing down. You need to show him that you are going to make him canter, whether he wants to or not.

Answer 11

Since you know he only goes for a few feet before going back into trot, as soon as he begins cantering keep encouraging him forward. Squeeze every other stride lightly with your legs, if he responds to clucking your tongue, do that. The instant he breaks into the trot without you asking for it IMMEDIATELY pick up the canter again. When your horse trots without you asking for it you must pick up the canter again quickly because not doing so will encourage the bad behavior. If he disregards your squeezing and still transitions down, pick up the canter again and this time when he is about to transition tap him with the crop and tell him firmly "canter!" He must learn that just because he wants to trot instead of canter, doesn't mean he can. It is more difficult for him to have to constantly pick up the canter again after an unwanted transition than just cantering until asked to trot.  

Answer 12

It sounds as if your horse is imbalanced. If a horse cannot keep themselves balanced around turns, they have no choice but to break into a trot or risk falling over around turns. Do lots of circle work with him, and lots of transitions from walk to trot, etc. Also, you need to make sure you understand impulsion from the legs, and that your horse knows how to move correctly from his hind end, where his "engine" is. A horse who is too much on the forehand cannot keep a canter because he is "pulling" himself along instead of "pushing" himself. Work with a credible trainer is beneficial.

Answer 13

well get a pair of spurs.  You have to keep your heels down, but when you need them put ur heels up and they will poke him.  ask your trainer, or a staff member at the barn you ride at for a little help.

Hope I helped