I need help gaining confidence with my canter?

Question

I've been riding horses for a while. I ride english. The pony I used to canter with was pretty slow so his canter was slow and steady. However, I got too big for the pony (as in tall) so my instructor switched me to a horse. He's a really nice horse. I like his trot and his canter is really good too. But the problem is that I'm scared to canter because I've had previous experiences with being bucked off a cantering horse or just plain falling off of them. I never used to be scared of horses, but now I am. I want to have fun riding a horse, not dreading to go to lessons. The main problem with my canter is that my legs keep on flying all over the place. It's solid and steady during the walk, trot, and sitting trot, but when it comes to cantering, it's like i'm in a rodeo. Also, I have major troubles with sitting deep in the saddle while cantering. I know I'm supposed to and i'm mentally concious of it, but as soon as I start cantering the horse, I just can't. Help...

Answer 1

If your stable owner will let you, when the horse is not in use, try join up. it is a way of gaining a horses trust, so you will feel less insecure in the saddle.read up on join up in Monty Robert's books- they are quite popular, so they will probably be in your local library.

My other suggestion is to just try your best to relax in the saddle- hold the saddle with one hand, the riegns in the other, sit back and relax. Put all your trust in the horse. He would never unseat you or do anything stupid deliberatly.

I once fell off my pony while cantering, and she stopped dead to avoid hurting me.

Your horse will never try to hurt you.

Answer 2

well you'll just have to hang in there, it will get better. my leg used to swing a lot when i first started cantering but now it doesnt. you just have to push your heels down and squeeze your legs a bit. and as for sitting the canter, i would wait for that. first i would canter in 2 point for awhile until you get comfortable with the canter. once you're comfortable with the canter, then i would try sitting it. and to help you sit it, you can hold underneath the pommel. it will get better with time, i promise!

Good Luck!

Answer 3

Kayla S is wrong you should never hang on to the horn that is so wrongask if you can ride a horse like the pony

Answer 4

Ride western a few times you have a nice deep seat and there is a horn you can grab onto. It worked for my friend who had a horse that would spook at everything and fell all the time and when we were done with riding western she said that she got her confidence back!

Answer 5

All riders go through phases where they lose confidence and feel they are back tracking. And when this occurs, one of two things will happen:... 1) The rider will tough it out and will eventually get their confidence back, though it won't be easy.  2) The rider will give up....  What determines which will happen to you is how much you want it.

If you want this bad enough, eventually you will learn how to canter comfortably, so there is no need to rush.  Take it slow. Follow these steps, but at your own pace.  It may take days, it may take weeks, it may take months, maybe even years, but I promise you'll get there- and once you do, cantering will be a breeze!

Step 1)Have your trainer or a trusted friend (that is a horse person) lunge you at the canter.  This will allow you to focus on getting yourself under control and getting the balance, rythm, and getting used to the speed without having to worry about controlling the horse at the same time.

Step 2)Once you feel comfortable cantering on the lunge line, begin cantering short distances on your own.  Start by posting trot 5 strides, sitting trot 5 strides, canter 5 strides.  The downward transitions will give you more sense of control.

Step 3)Once comfortabl with that, try cantering on straight aways and trotting corners.

Step 4)Then the next step, the entire arena.

Step 5)Once your comfortable with cantering the entire arena for prolonged periods of time, try some circles.

Step 6)Once comfortable with circles, go back to the lunge line and give cantering without stirrups a try (its not as hard as it seems!)

Step 7)Once that's mastered try it by yourself.

Step 8)And then finally, canter bareback.

Good luck and have fun!

Answer 6

if you cannot sit properly in the saddle at the canter you are not ready to canter, period. have your instructor lunge you on the horse with your hands on the saddle one in front one in back until you feel confortable, then let go of one hand, until you can canter on the lunge line with no hands. this will help you alot. in mexico children are often lunged bareback first at the walk then trot and eventualy at the canter so that they learn to sit properly in a horse. http://tonyonehorse.weebly.com

Answer 7

Kayla S is wrong you dont grab on to the horn ever it is very dangerous to do .... it might just take time to get use to ya know that is what i had to do

Answer 8

Don't feel bad. When you have fear on a horse or get nervous everyone's instinct is gripthe reins and lean forward. It take time to train your brain to do the opposite. I would ask your instructor to put you on a longe line(this really works...i have done it myself and I've been riding for 8 years) and tie the reins up so you don't have to sorry about that. First start at the trot. If you can do this fine without hands then move up to the canter. If you can't then that tells you that you need more balance work before you canter. Anyway once yo get to the canter. put a hand on the back of the saddle to help you stay their. They key to the canter si relaxed hhips and thights. IF you tighten up to much your legs will go everywhere.force your shoulders back and trust your seat

Answer 9

Well, it does take a while to get the canter down, it took me a few months. Your legs with strengthen with time at the canter. What you're talking about when you feel like a rodeo rider is swinging of your leg. Now that you're just learning and aren't confident in your canter,  I would ride in a two-point or half seat until you feel solid enough and strong enough to sit. If you have confidence in your horse he will sense it, if i you dont, he wont. Try dropping your stirrups during canter work. You will stay on if you drop all the weight in your heels, open your knee (dont pinch the saddle with your knee), and sit up. You will be fine, i promise. It feels a little weird at first but once you get used to it, you will feel much more confident when you get your stirrups back  =D

Try short periods of cantering, like half a cricle, the short end of the arena, etc. Do alot of trot to canter transitions, walk to trot, trot to halt. Continue giving half halts while you're cantering, make sure your horse is listening to you. The canter is a wonderful gait once you get it down, its very comfortable and fun! Sit up, relax, and go with your horse's movements. LIke i said, try the half seat or two point position for awhile, it will give your legs a chance to strengthen up for a canter. Whatever you do, dont grip the saddle with your knees, dont tense up, sit up straight, go witht he movements, drop your heels down, point your toes out, and open your knee. good luck!

Answer 10

I used to be a little scared of cantering too, but then now I love it.  One thing that worked for me was when my instructor put me on a lunge line.  She has me not worry about control the horse because she had him on the line, and then had me hold the pommel of the saddle.  She told me to hold on and push my seat down in the saddle while gripping with my legs so I wouldnt bounce off.  I have ridden lesson horses with really bouncy or rocky/smooth canters, and i find it helps when you lean back, gripp with your knees and thighs, and just relax.  If you are really stiff you make it really hard on yourself, but if you relax and let your body follow the motion of the horses, it will be a lot easier.  Also, let your hands follow the horse's mouth.