At 02:00:46 on 26.02.11, JustGottaRide wrote:
I've been riding for a little more than two years. I was only able to take lessons every other week. However, I made great progress until it came to cantering. Every time I would ask, or even when I wouldn't--everything bad with horse that has happened to me evolved around cantering. I finally managed to canter successfully this past summer. I also got my first horse, who was green-broke and pretty young. My first ride ever on her she bucked me off when she thought I asked for a canter. Then when I worked with her enough walk-trot, I moved onto canter work. She immediately crow-hopped until I fell. She only did it with me, and I know it was because I didn't have a secure seat. I've done canter work with some very stable lesson horses and my seat has became pretty balanced. Now in fact, I really enjoy it. However, whenever it comes to my horse--I freak myself out. I cant get the "what-ifs" out of my head. I don't know what to do. My dad suggested selling her and getting a horse a bit older and more stable, but I don't want to give up on how hard I've worked... I am going to wait through summer when I will get to ride her almost every day. Right now due to family situation I only ride her every other week. I'm just not sure how to build my confidence in her personally...

At 06:17:43 on 26.02.11, EventingArab4Ever wrote:
Is your horse trained on the lunge?? I think it would benifit both of you! Start by lunging her on the ground, teaching her the voice cue "Canter!", and using your body language (standing up straighter, looking confident, stepping out, etc.), and possibly a lunge whip, to teach her to depart calmly and confidently on her own. Once you are in the saddle and ask for the canter, just think R-E-L-A-X and quietly use the voice command (as it probably won't be very effective if you find yourself squealing "CANTER!!!" at the top of your lungs, lol.), but be assertive if she acts naughty. For the crow hopping, just keep her head up and push her forward. Be very clear when you ask for the canter, since she is young and probably gets easily confused. It was very smart of you to take lessons! I am sure you and your horse are perfectly capable of cantering- you know she can do it, she probably does it in her field every day! I think it is mainly a confidence thing. Be sure to push all the "What-ifs" out of your head before you even get on her. Instead of thinking "Oh my gosh, what if she bucks?? Oh no, we are passing her least favorite corner, she might bolt?! Oh PLEASE nice pony, keep it together..", think instead "Ok, I need more bend through this corner, lets see if I can use my outside rein to steady her a bit, hmm mabye we will circle here, I think we could use a half-halt here, etc." If you keep her working and focused, asking for the canter will be no big deal! xxCheers!xx

At 02:13:46 on 27.02.11, ShadowsGirl33 wrote:
I'll tell you something my horse is six he is my first horse and he can sense how scared I get. I have also had a lot of bad experiences cantering and understand, but I also don't want to give up. My only advice is that try something to distract you. My secret is every time I get nervous I sing the song Magic by B.O.B quietly to myself. I know it sounds weir, but it works...Oh but don't let the judge catch you singing it in the show ring...that didn't end well!

At 14:54:34 on 27.02.11, JustGottaRide wrote:
Haha, ok thanks! Yes she is trained on lunge line too. She was in training for about 6 months and does 3rd level dressage. She knows the cues perfectly. However, she is the very protective type of horse. My first lesson on her it took me the whole hour to get her to trot for more than one circle, because she didn't know me or if I was balanced or not--even though I was. So I have become very confident in asking her, but because she remembers how I'm not balanced on her yet, obviously because I don't canter her often, she becomes hesitant and when she is I get off balance trying to really push her and sweep her into it. Even when I do get her to canter it takes me like 3-4 strides to really adjust to it, and by then she is afraid I will fall and she goes right down to a walk. Which, is very sweet of her, but not helping me.

At 07:51:35 on 01.03.11, Maccas wrote:
My horse is only just starting out, coz he's off the track. When he canters, he goes into a forhand canter and put his head to the ground, meaning he has no balance and I have no control. Try sitting deep, leaning back and asking with full confidence. If you can't feel it, fake it, never let her get the better of you:)

At 03:19:36 on 07.03.11, yogirl10198 wrote:
I'm sorry if this sounds rude, but why did you even buy a horse, let alone a green one, with only about 52 days riding experience and no canter experience? If you don't have a secure seat, then you should not start cantering. Please anyone else who has this kind of situation DO NOT buy a horse with this kind of riding experience, especially not a young green one. If you think you want to own a horse, maybe lease or half-lease one.

At 21:56:20 on 08.03.11, JessAndGrenville123 wrote:
Honestly (i may sound mean but i don't mean to be) i think for your first horse you should have bought a safe reliable horse, i was riding for 11 years before i bought a difficult horse. I think you would benefit from sending your horse away for a week or so to be trained by a proffesional if you can afford it to bring your horse on a bit, if not maybe you could get a part time part loaner who is a experienced rider to help you bring your horse on a bit for you. And my honest opinion is that this probably won't work without a LOT of time and money and sorry to be blunt but i think you would be better selling this horse to someone capable of bringing the horse on and buying a schoolmaster that you will enjoy. You should enjoy your horse and also a green horse like your really needs every day riding, i know it's not what you want to hear but it is unfair keeping a you energy filled horse un ridden your horse needs riding every day to enforce lessons learned the day before. Also have you thought what you are going to do when you both learn to jump? Sorry i can't be of more help but i can't see how the inexperienced can teach the inexperienced

At 22:12:21 on 08.03.11, Angelalain wrote:
Totally agree Jess!

At 10:14:58 on 09.03.11, Part Arab wrote:
I agree with Maccas, especially about asking with full confidence. JustGottaRide, I had the same problem with my mare when I started riding her (although unlike you, Sienna and I are both experienced)and had many failed attempts but the first time I rode as if I was totally confident it would happen naturally - it did. As soon as I felt unbalanced or insecure in my seat I corrected it calmly in my mind and ta da it happened in my body too...and Sienna responded accordingly. So when you can't feel it, fake it, your horse will appreciate it. Good Luck :)

At 11:04:47 on 09.03.11, JustGottaRide wrote:
My seat has been fine, and i have plenty canter experience. She is officially broke now and she is ridden 1-2 times a week by a professional. My only problem is the transition, once I am in the gait I'm fine. And we are considering selling her and getting a bit older horse. I am going to wait through the summer though when I can ride her every day. She hasnt thrown me since fall last year, so it isn't so much that she is green anymore it's just my personal mental barrier in my riding.