What do i do! I'm totally scared to canter on my horse!

Question

My horse is a Belgian X Thoroughbred. she is completely english. I'm only 13 and im scared as heck to learn to canter. my trainer wants me to canter her in the next few weeks. but i am very shy and wont speak up for my self. and i want to learn before i have that cantering lesson! what do i do!?!

Answer 1

tell your trainer that you dont feel comfortable cantering yet. if she doesnt understand then she isnt that good of a trainer. if your scared to do something your horse will feel it and get nervous, which can lead to trust issues. if your scared wait until you feel comfortable enough to try it, or try in a round pen first, thats how i learned how to canter.  

Answer 2

Ask your trainer if you're going to start out on a longe line, it's easier to just hold on when you first start. Cantering is an easy gait and doesn't require nearly as much effort as trotting. If you're totally scared $#!tless, longe your horse at a canter before you ride, so you can see how smooth and comfortable the gait looks. It looks fast, but most of the time you can get your horse to canter not much faster than an extended trot. The canter is really easy to sit. By the sound of your horse's breeds, the canter will probably be super-comfortable (probably like a rocking horse) and feel like a moving sofa.

Answer 3

If your scared to canter you most likely aren't experienced enough to own that particular horse. You need to learn fast and get over the fear. The easiest way to do that is just to get on with.

Answer 4

trust me cantering isnt has scary as people say it is.

if your trainer feels you are ready to canter in a few weeks, then you may just be!

Ask if maybe you can start in a round pen or on the lunge line.

When I was nine, I cantered my first time in a round pen, and it feels really secure.

Answer 5

get someone to lunge you as you canter. that way your horse cant do anything!!

Answer 6

you have to open up enough to tell your trainer you are not ready. she probably doesn trealize you feel this way, she isnt a mind reader. sometimes being shy has to be put away long enough for you to tell her your true feelings. good luck

Answer 7

trust me: cantering if the most fun out all all the gaits!!! you will be nervous at first but once you get into it you will see why its so fun. many of the answers were right when they said cantering is usually more comfy then trotting. dont be afraid to ask your trainer anything on your mind. good luck!

Answer 8

Cantering is a lot more comfortable than trotting.  It's fun, too.  You know how to slow and/or stop your horse, right?  So try just a little cantering and slow her down if it feels too scary.  Your trainer shouldn't rush you.  If you need to, just say,"I don't feel ready to canter, yet."

Answer 9

Canter is my favorite gate, it is a lot different than some people say it is, it's just kind of the thing that takes a bit of getting used to.  When you ask for canter, just relax, sit up strait as possible, heels down, and ask.  Canter kind of rocks you back and forth, just let your body go with it.  You might kind of flop around up there, like not being able to really sit it at first (what happed to me).  But after a few times of doing it, you will feel more comfterable.  You might end up really liking to canter.  People have told me draft horses gaits are really comfy, so your Belgian crosses sould we like riding a couch.  Ask your trainer to put you on a lunge, that way you will feel more secure, and if something were to happen when you were cantering, your trainer would be able to stop him.  Good luck!

Answer 10

It's okay to be scared! It is a scary thought, going from a trot into a faster gait.

You do need to talk to your trainer. Don't put off the cantering lesson, but ask her to lunge you at the canter so you can just concentrate on sitting properly and won't have to steer and control the horse. This way, all you do is sit in the saddle and get used to the rhythm, whilst your trainer controls the horse. You'll be fine. Cantering is actually easier that trotting as, although it's faster, it's a lot smoother and not choppy like trotting, so you'll pick it up quicker and easier than you learned to trot.

Good luck. Your trainer doesn't want you to be scared about cantering! Your trainer is teaching you how to ride and probably just doesn't know you are nervous. Just tell her you're a bit nervous and ask to be lunged. Also talk to her about how you should go about getting to the canter rhythm, though, by the sounds of it, the fact you can trot should mean you'll get cantering easy. Have fun! :)

And, remember, stop if you feel uncomfortable when you start cantering. No point in staying there for ages if you begin to freak out. Just slow down, walking and trotting for a bit, then start again. You'll be fine!

Answer 11

I think what you should do is go in a closed arena that isn't super big and trot on the rail. Take some nice deep breaths to relax yourself. I will tell you now, for most horses, their canter is smoother than their trot. Then before you psych yourself out of it, ask her to canter. Don't try to fight her motion. Relax your pelvis and sort of roll your butt with the saddle. I think you will find it really fun and better than the trot. After you canter just a little have her slow to a trot and collect yourself. If you feel like it, ask her again and you most likely will get more comfortable with the canter. Good Luck and don't be scared!! (Being afraid is normal!! You aren't a weirdo or anything, it's perfectly normal to feel anxious)

Answer 12

In all honesty if you can't canter why do yo have a horse, especailly a thoroughbred x. If your nervous then wait till your lesson before you attempt it, at least then you will have someone to help and encourage you.

Answer 13

tell you couch how you feel .. maybe she/he will help you on advise or tips that he/she have been on or something.

Answer 14

Totally agree with the above answer (Cowgirl For Life!) However, she is kinda making you sit your english canter like a western lope...which is an easier way, so go ahead, I'm just telling you this as your coach may yell at  you for not sitting it properly.....however if you feel comfy doing this at first, you can always correct it later with your coach...if she is feeling a bit rowdy calm yourself down and chances are she will too... There is nothing to worry about, don't fight her and let her show you how to canter her somewhat. And HAVE FUN!! Let yourself feel the wind blow over your face and enjoy it :)