Slowing the canter down?

Question

How can I slow my horses canter down, I want to do hunters with him, and I've tried circles, and half halts, and many things, but can't seem to slow his canter down. Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks so much!

Answer 1

Try lightening your seat a little

And this next idea may sound crazy but it actually works;

Squeese your horse slightly with your legs and them give a firm (yet gentle) half halt.

If your horse dosn't respond the first time, then do the same with your leg and 'rip it's face off'.

They'll eventually learn to listen to the nicer ask first.

It work with one of my ponies, try it yourself   :)

Answer 2

is it the way you ask him to canter? Sometimes, i found this out when i was riding my horse, that if you put you heels, while their down into the sides of your horse, in a two point position (jumping position) or sitting down... your horse will canter fast.... also are you leaning back? Leaning to far back will be a problem, and leaning to far forward restrains some horses. If you do bring a crop, make sure it is on your lead. Also, make sure you sit, with a very composed, balanced straight back. Make sure heels are down. Your hips should be rocking back and forth with the leading leg, otherwise, the diagnal. Hope i helped!

Answer 3

deal with it, every horse has its own speed. embrace it.

Answer 4

I know how you feel, I tried to do Hunters with a jumper this year, and he would not keep a consistent pace. Even though you think you are staying really relaxed, you are still thinking about him speeding up, so then he will speed up. I have found that tying my reins in a knot and putting them up by the the horses ears so I cant use them works great. all you do is stick your arms out to the side, and make sure you breath. Once you get comfortable catering around with no hands, go over a fence. This helped me a lot.

Oh yeah, always make sure you are breathing, this will help keep you loose.  

Answer 5

I do a lot of clinton anderson thing with my horses. To slow down and control the canter we 'cruise' which is letting them go where ever they want, no use of reins as long as they stay the gait you want. if they go to a trot verbally ask for a canter, then kick, if he goes faster, do a one rein stop and then flex

maybe try a different bit also

Answer 6

First of all you have to figure out why your horse is going so fast. Most horses simply arent balanced and strong enough to maintain that slow collected canter. Lunge, lunge, lunge. This will allow your horse to balance himself and build up the muscles without interference from you. As your horse builds up his coordination by himself, he will have an easier time when you're in the saddle.

It sounds like you're doing the right thing as far as riding goes. Work on transitions. Whenever you feel your horse starting to get strung out bring him back to the trot. In the beginning he just wont have the strength to hold it so reward him by giving him a break when he does it right. Also work on transitions within the canter. Ask for a working canter then push him into a hand gallop then down into a more collected canter. By asking him for these transitions he will become more responsive to your aids and will better understand when you want variations with his speed. Dont just expect him to be able to go slow all the time so ask for the collection just a little at a time.

Half halts will help you a lot. These will work a lot like the transitions and can help you rebalance him but without breaking the gait. Stay off of his mouth. Pulling will only create a vicious cycle of him resisting your hand and falling onto his forehand. Your seat and legs are going to be so important. You probably wont be able to hold him at first but eventually you will both be able to handle it. Sit deep in the saddle and sit up. try to slow down your seat while using half halts at the same time. this may take some time for him to get it but keep at it.

Keep up with the circles and also try some spiral in and out anytime he starts to go fast. The smaller the circle you go the more he'll have to engage his hind and collect. hope this helped