Slowing the Canter--Suggestions?

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Permalink Reply by Sit_the_Trot on January 10, 2010 at 2:24pm

What fun to have a western horse with dressage training. Take a look at Mark Russel and Mike Bridges, two western trainers who have incorporated dressage into their western training for beautiful results.
I agree with Splash--if you are throwing away the contact he may be falling on the forehand in the canter because he's either never learned to carry himself or he's wanting your seat to tell him to balance more on his hind legs and sustain a slower canter. Splash wrote: "sit deep and ride the lope YOU want. A third level dressage horse will respond to your rythym. YOU decide and he WILL respond."

When you slow your seat and maintain rhythmic control of your lower torso and an upright posture (read splashes comment to Jane Savoie's post on heels down--it's an excellent comment on the balanced seat for western) he'll begin to respond by slowing. Go with him in his bigger canter (not on the forehand however) and then ask him to come back for a few strides, then forward again. This back and forth off of your seat will both teach and strengthen him to slow down and maintain it. A lot of western horses lope on their forehands and you don't want him to do that. also, you'll want to go with him first and then ask him to come to you in that way he'll start to listen and respond with willingness. Ask him to go slower in balance and you'll find he'll rely less on the reins--dressage horses are taught to maintain the canter even when the rider gives slack in the reins. With a teaching attitude, gradually working toward it and soft reminders to him that he can stay slow and balanced without the rein pressure you will soon develop your western horse.
Michele

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Permalink Reply by Shirley on January 10, 2010 at 3:51pm

This is interesting to me that much of what you say here for dressage traing goes right along with how the Parelli program starts all horses. Seat, legs, reins.,,,in that order Maintain same gate until directed to do different and to rely little on the reins

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Permalink Reply by Shirley on January 11, 2010 at 1:44am

Horse-rider-saddle-saddle pad-reins
Seat first-legs second -reins & hands third
Those are the beginning basics for most any good riding.
'Sit to Trot' has a good point that I share when she mentions 'the western trainers who have
incorporated western training and dressage training and have gotten a beautiful result.'
And then Splash says "A dressage horse is very responsive to seat cues" and my western~ Parelli trained horse is also. Splash also says "a very very relaxed seat is going to be key" How true this is, It is not possible to do anything with a tight butt. It's irritating.
At my training barn I heard over and over the way to slow a canter/lope is 'half-halts'
I wish you the best in your transitions.

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