Horse HELP!

iluvdogs111 · July 2010

Hello, I have a horseback riding question. In a few hours I'll be going to my riding lesson- I ride English on a gorgeous horse. There's one problem. He often canters when I tell him to trot. It's so annoying. At first he only did it off an on for a few strides but then by the end of the lesson when I asked him to trot he just cantered. My friend said it was probably because he was confused, but I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I'm telling him to trot and then he canters- does anyone have any advice? And I don't keep kicking him while he's troting, I just give him one gentle squeeze at a walk and he starts cantering.

CallyKats Dachshunds · July 2010

do you smooch instead of clucking? are you leaning forward in the saddle? If neither of those are correct, I would start back on working with him on the ground..but seeing as you probably can't do that since he's not your horse, well, you know. If you didn't cue him for a canter, then you need to pull him back down into a trot. I would make sure that you aren't doing either of the first questions I started the post off with. Sometimes, if I'm just working on things with a horse (not my normal horse coz he's a lazy bum lol) I'll pull them back down to what I asked them for, and then cue them to do whatever it was that they did after a few strides. But if you do that, you have to be consistant with it. I actually don't recommend this way particularly as I'm guessing you aren't the most experienced rider? No offense or anything, just what I'm getting out of this. And you said you're going to a lesson...couldn't you ask your instructor what you're doing wrong and why the horse is going into a canter instead of a trot?

iluvdogs111 · July 2010

Thanks, it is possible that I am leaning forward because at the end of the lesson my feet usaully hurt and I tend to lean forward a little bit for more support. (bad habit.) Yes I asked my instructor and she said that I needed to keep pulling him back into a trot- I would've liked to work on it more but it was at the very end and there was no time left- thanks for the advice, I'll try to make sure I don't lean forward this time. PS. (edit) No I'm not an experienced rider yet- and I've only been riding this horse for about a month

CallyKats Dachshunds · July 2010

I tend to sit back at the end of riding (if it's more than 2 hours, otherwise I'm fine.

) if my feet start hurting, but it doesn't normally happen.

I do ride western though...never touched an english saddle in my life. XD I'm assuming you're only doing flatwork..If you're comfortable on the horse, ask if your instructor can free lunge you in the round pen or arena so that you can find your balance and worry about just that instead of controlling the horse. It helps tons, trust me.

Just don't start grabbing at the horse's mane or gripping with your knees for support. If you don't feel comfortable riding bareback (what I did) then you can have a saddle.

About the leaning forward at the end of the lesson-try a stirrupless lesson, you won't be able to lean forward and press on the stirrups if you don't have any.

Also-make sure that your arms aren't just waving all over the place...It should be almost a straight line from your elbow, down the reins and to the bit.

And that's fine.

we all start out somewhere, haha. I've only had 2 lessons and I've been riding the past 3-5 years. I was pretty much self taught, but taking a bit off inbetween because I didn't have the money to pay to go riding didn't help my posture or heels at all. ;-; Oh, and make sure your heels are down. At all times. xD I'm going on and on now, I'm sorry. lmao

iluvdogs111 · July 2010

Haha, it's fine, I like advice. Sometimes we do ride with no stirrups, and I think it does help. I'm also trying different boots this time to see if it helps my feet. Thanks again

CallyKats Dachshunds · July 2010

No problem, lemme know how ya do though.

Garnet · July 2010

I'm like Femme, I've touched an english saddle in my whole life and ive been riding since i was able to walk lol.. Im 100% western riding.. lol but yea, just dont lean forward as much and watch the pressure of your knees

Femme's advice was good

CallyKats Dachshunds · July 2010

Garnet wrote:

I'm like Femme, I've touched an english saddle in my whole life and ive been riding since i was able to walk lol.. Im 100% western riding.. lol but yea, just dont lean forward as much and watch the pressure of your knees Femme's advice was good

I feel like I'm smarter now.

xD I know how the leaning forward encourages a faster gait though...because I'm normally riding in a barrel saddle (with sits you in a more forward position) so it's hard to actually sit back and nice unless I'm actually trying to stop XD I'm debating on taking english lessons when I get the money though...I would like to do cross country..

Beaks · July 2010

Yes I often work with OTTB's so the faster perspective is always brought out... LOL. So, usually if you're riding English, try taking their mind off speed. Here are some things to try: 1- Start working in a frame. It's really hard for a horse to hold a frame when he/she is just "rushing", or moving to quickly. 2- Lean back. Really "push" down into your hips. 3- Try a sitting trot. It gets uncomfortable when a horse goes foward quickly and you'll have incentive to slow down. Also, you'll have more contact 4- Talk to your horse. It sounds crazy but think "just trot" to yourself and say it. Then use words like "ho-ho" (soft voice) to make your horse pay attention to you. If your horse doesn't respond to that, it's back to s-l-o-w re-introduction. Start down long sides as slow as you can trot ETC. Hope this helps!

Minx · July 2010

Also id recommend not makin sure your not incouraging him to go faster unknowingly by putting your hands too far up on his neck. If u notice people who want to go faster put the reins closer up the horses neck like race horses or barrel racers but people who go slower like hunter under saddle or western pleasure riders keep their hands low and closer to the saddle *saddle horn on a western seat*

iluvdogs111 · July 2010

Thanks everyone for the advice! I think my problem was leaning forward too much. I asked my instructor and she said that I did lean forward a little when I trotted, which encourged him to go faster. I did do a sitting trot to help me focus on leaning back and he was a lot better- I don't think he cantered at all until I asked him to! Thanks everyone.

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