In horseback riding, cantering is a comfortable, medium-speed gait that lies between the trot and the gallop.Cantering is a skill that both the horse and rider will need to perfect.An excellent canter is possible for almost all horses with the right approach and patience.
Step 1: Before you start, teach your horse to walk and trot.
Some horse experts tell you that you can't teach the canter.To learn the canter properly, horses need good knowledge of the trot and walk, as well as the muscle strength that comes from learning these commands.It can be bad for you and the horse if you don't have this.This is true with young, inexperienced horses.The canter puts the horse's entire body weight on the outside hind leg when it steps off.Young horses don't develop the strength needed to do this safely without good training.
Step 2: Start walking in a circle.
The canter should be taught in an open space that's at least 60 feet wide.In whichever direction is easiest for you to control, begin by trotting at a steady, comfortable pace.Horses need lots of space to balance, so don't skimp and use a space that's too small.A lack of space can cause some horses to become agitated.The horse should be tacked up with bridle, saddle, side reins, and boots at this point.
Step 3: To get the horse's attention, perform a few basic transitions.
You want your horse to be attentive and responsive to you when you teach the canter.Give the horse a few commands that it already knows.Try transitioning between a walk and a trot and back again a few times until the horse is sharp to your commands.
Step 4: Ask the horse to run.
You're ready to do the canter command.The horse should be moving in a wide circle at the trot.You can say "can-TER" when you're ready.Your voice alone should be enough to get a good canter from your horse once you associate your verbal command with the act that you're about to ease.You will execute a few commands with your body when you make this command.See the section below for more information on these body signals.
Step 5: Encourage the canter with your lower body.
If you give the "can-TER" command, slide your inside hip forward and your outside hip backward.To slide the outside leg back, squeeze with your inside leg.The horse should interpret your actions as a command to go faster.Information on proper form and posture can be found in the section below.If the horse doesn't notice your command, you can use a lunge whip or another riding aid to get its attention.If the horse is used to using these aids, it works best.
Step 6: If the horse starts to trot faster, repeat your command.
If the horse stays in a two-beat trot and doesn't transition into a three- beat canter, then give the command again.The horse should keep going.Continue the command if necessary.It will need to transition from the trot to the canter after a certain point.When your horse transitions into the canter, be sure to praise it with your voice.If you want, pat the horse on the neck.The rewards should be associated with positive feelings in the horse's mind over time.
Step 7: When the horse is tired, ease back into a trot.
A basic canter can be quite fatiguing to a young horse that hasn't built up its riding muscles yet.Be aware of your horse's movements as it canters underneath you.If the canter begins to become unbalanced or off-rhythm, immediately give a half-halt command to get the horse's movements under control.There is more detailed information in the section below.At first, a horse may not be able to do a full circle of cantering at the same time.The horse will become stronger and more confident with frequent practice.An experienced rider can be used as an observer.
Step 8: The cantering commands should be repeated.
If you want to start another canter, you have to get your horse trotting in a circle again.Stay aware of your horse's fatigue as you repeat this several more times.Within a single training session, your horse is more responsive to your commands.This will come with time, if not, be patient.Training sessions should be short so that the horse doesn't become tired or lose interest.For the first month or so of training, a 20 minute training session is fine.
Step 9: You should change your practice over the next few months.
You won't be limited to cantering in a circle when you ride your horse for real.Changing your training routine once it's comfortable with the one described above will give your horse the flexibility it will need for cantering in practical situations.To get your horse used to turning to both sides, Canter and trot in figure-eights.Making your horse canter from one to the next in sequence is accomplished by trotting tight circles at the corners of your training area.Take a long, winding course of your own.Try to execute a half-halt during a canter after a month of training.
Step 10: Start with an erect riding posture.
A good canter results in as much effort from the rider as it does the horse.As a canter, your body should be positioned to open the leading shoulder of the horse and to cue it behind the girth, all while adding forward movement.Prepare to transition into a canter by assuming the following posture.You should keep your back straight.Keep your chest up.By drawing your shoulders back, "open" your chest.Balance is achieved by using the core muscles of your hips and abdominals.You should be able to canter without pulling on the reins, pommel or saddle horn.
Step 11: With the reins, open your horse's shoulder.
As you work into the canter, maintain good rein contact, but open the inside rein of your horse while holding a firm grip on the outside rein.This will help your horse on the diagonal beats.The goal here isn't to support the horse too much, as it needs to develop its own sense of balance.
Step 12: Body signals can be used to ask for a canter.
Cuing a horse to canter involves several simultaneous motions of the rider's body.If you want to start cantering, you need to turn your torso and shoulders and keep your hips straight.Move your leg back.Put pressure on your inside leg and slide it forward slightly.Pick up the correct lead with the inside rein.This opens up your horse's leading shoulder to help them understand your intentions.Use your rear leg to squeeze your horse's barrel.Some horses are trained to shift into a canter when you cue them with a kissy noise, so you may need to do this at the same time.With your feet a few inches back from where they would normally hang, make sure you are riding your horse behind the girth.Try not to move your hands.These mistakes can lead to a fast trot or side-pass.
Step 13: Sit in the canter.
The canter is easy to ride and one of the best things about it.Unlike a trot, a canter is very smooth for the rider, giving a " More floaty" feel rather than the "bumpier" one of the trot.It's possible to ride the canter wrong, so use the steps below to make sure you're sitting correctly.The canter should have more contact on the outside rein and the inside rein.You should slow your horse down if you feel out of control and pulling on the reins for balance.Stay upright in an upright stance.Lean back or to the inside.The horse gets a lot of its balance from what you do on its back.Your horse will have a hard time not doing the same if you are out of balance and tipped forward.Don't hold with your legs.It can seem natural to hold on to the horse using your legs.This will give the horse mixed signals, as it's usually a cue to speed up.If you feel like you can't stay in the saddle without gripping with your legs, slow down.
Step 14: You should be ready to cue a half-halt.
A half-halt is a partial stop.The half halt is similar to a regular halt in that it can be performed at any speed.This technique gets your horse's rear feet on the ground, which gives it the necessary strength and balance to either start a collected canter or get their movements under control.You don't have to cue a half-halt in order to canter, but doing so will give your horse better grounds for moving into the faster gait.At a canter, maintain a soft supporting leg as you sit up and prepare for a halt.If you want to transition into a trot, let your elbows come back and put a little pressure on the reins.As soon as you feel your horse respond, add more leg, and resume cantering.It might feel like you're asking your horse to "canter in place" for a brief moment.
Step 15: You don't want to rocking your shoulders.
Old-time Western movies have popularized images of cowboys cantering away on their horses with their entire body moving in sync with the horse.Your torso and shoulders shouldn't sway or rock in time with the horse because it's a good thing for your hips to move.It can make the canter difficult to sit if you and your horse are off balance.
Step 16: Your heels should be kept down.
This is a problem for beginning riders.Your foot should be in the stirrup so that you can put your weight on the ball of your foot and not have it tip down.This prevents you from leaning forward or gripping with your legs.If you can't do this, your stirrups are too short.Western-style stirrups are long enough to leave a slight bend in your knee, while English stirrup irons are about ankle bone-height.
Step 17: Your hand motions should be subdued.
It can be difficult to keep your hands on the ground.The horse can be confused if your hands move too much.This should get easier with experience as you try to move your hands only as much as feels natural from the horse's movement.Try to hold your horse's mane with your pinkies.The tug of the mane will help keep your hands in tune with the horse's movement.
Step 18: Do not swing your legs.
As your hips shift with the horse's strides, it can be easy to let the motion carry into your legs as well.excessive leg motions can confuse the horse and this is a bad idea.Try to keep your leg in the "behind the girth" riding position for maximum control and sharp responses from your horse.If you need assistance, keep your heels down in the stirrup.This pushes your legs back into the correct position.
Step 19: You should not go into the fetal position.
The "fetal" position is a riding mistake that involves leaning forward, gripping with your legs, and bringing your heels up.It throws your horse out of balance and speeds the horse up when you do this, it's usually a nervous response to prevent the rider from falling off.This can be avoided with good self-control.When you get anxious, loosen your legs and lean back on your horse.Chances are that you will be perfectly vertical, even if you feel like you are leaning too far.Remember, this will give you the opposite of what you want, so resist the urge to "hunker down" and grip tightly.
Step 20: Don't let it get to you.
It is not a good idea to bend your back while riding because you are cantering.Make sure your shoulders are straight over your hips.This will keep you from accidentally urging your horse to go faster.If you need help maintaining your posture, try using a long crop slid behind your back and in the crook of your elbow while you ride.This will help keep your arms in the correct riding position and prevent you from slouching forward.
Step 21: You should keep your core strong.
Core strength is important for cantering as riding a horse is a workout that uses the core muscles heavily.Shoulders back, heels down, upright position, etc. are all correct if you do everything else correctly.You can lose your center of gravity if you go soft in the middle.Keeping yourself centered with a firm core will help your horse maintain a collected canter and make things easier and more comfortable for you in the long run.If you feel like your core muscles aren't up to par, you may want to practice doing the plank exercise in your free time.Get in a pushup position with your forearms on the floor.Hold this position for as long as you can, take a one-minute rest, and repeat three times.If you do this every day, you should notice a difference in your balance.