Slowing the Canter--Suggestions? - Barnmice Equestrian Social Community2024-03-29T01:23:21Zhttp://www.barnmice.com/forum/topics/slowing-the-cantersuggestions?feed=yes&xn_auth=noEverytime you stop, back up..…tag:www.barnmice.com,2010-03-02:1773158:Comment:2053842010-03-02T17:30:36.344ZJennifer Lammhttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/JenniferLamm
Everytime you stop, back up... and back up.... back up and bend and flex... bend and flex... ..... till your horse automatically stays going slower..... when you canter just go a few steps and slow... start slow.... that's how my trainer teaches it.. my 4 year old has a beautiful lope..... ") he says to get 3 steps under control before you just go tearin around...
Everytime you stop, back up... and back up.... back up and bend and flex... bend and flex... ..... till your horse automatically stays going slower..... when you canter just go a few steps and slow... start slow.... that's how my trainer teaches it.. my 4 year old has a beautiful lope..... ") he says to get 3 steps under control before you just go tearin around... Horse-rider-saddle-saddle pad…tag:www.barnmice.com,2010-01-11:1773158:Comment:1853152010-01-11T06:44:49.765ZShirleyhttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/Shirley
Horse-rider-saddle-saddle pad-reins<br />
Seat first-legs second -reins & hands third<br />
Those are the beginning basics for most any good riding.<br />
'Sit to Trot' has a good point that I share when she mentions 'the western trainers who have<br />
incorporated western training and dressage training and have gotten a beautiful result.'<br />
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…
Horse-rider-saddle-saddle pad-reins<br />
Seat first-legs second -reins & hands third<br />
Those are the beginning basics for most any good riding.<br />
'Sit to Trot' has a good point that I share when she mentions 'the western trainers who have<br />
incorporated western training and dressage training and have gotten a beautiful result.'<br />
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.<br />
At my training barn I heard over and over the way to slow a canter/lope is 'half-halts'<br />
I wish you the best in your transitions. This is interesting to me tha…tag:www.barnmice.com,2010-01-10:1773158:Comment:1851782010-01-10T20:51:18.541ZShirleyhttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/Shirley
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
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 What fun to have a western ho…tag:www.barnmice.com,2010-01-10:1773158:Comment:1850952010-01-10T19:24:44.550ZSit_the_Trothttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/Sit_the_Trot
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.<br />
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…
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.<br />
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."<br />
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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.<br />
Michele A dressage horse is going to…tag:www.barnmice.com,2010-01-09:1773158:Comment:1848932010-01-09T23:41:47.925Zsplashhttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/splash
A dressage horse is going to respond largely to your legs and seat and he'll probably be dead confused if you drop contact with his rein.<br />
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In a way this is funny. We don't often see third level dressage horse being transitioned into western riding.<br />
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JMHO, but I'd start with legs off, which you are probably already comfortable with as a western rider. HOWEVER, complete western legs off is probably going to leave your horse feeling more than a little "adrift". He is probably used to a rounded,…
A dressage horse is going to respond largely to your legs and seat and he'll probably be dead confused if you drop contact with his rein.<br />
<br />
In a way this is funny. We don't often see third level dressage horse being transitioned into western riding.<br />
<br />
JMHO, but I'd start with legs off, which you are probably already comfortable with as a western rider. HOWEVER, complete western legs off is probably going to leave your horse feeling more than a little "adrift". He is probably used to a rounded, draped leg at least. So soft round draped leg that rests against his barrel but isn't excerting any pressure. He is comfortable but not being driven forward.<br />
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A very, very relaxed seat is going to be key. Everyone else mentioned it. A dressage horse is very responsive to seat cues. Lossen your thighs and kness, sit deep and ride the lope YOU want. A third level dressage horse will respond to your rythym. YOU decide and he WILL respond.<br />
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Rein cues are probably last on his radar of cues at third level, seat, legs, rein. But if you are transitioning him and he is used to contact then you need to respect that and give him contact. Yes the third level horse should be able to do a free walk etc but most of their work is done on contact. It may take some time to transition your horse to a loose/looser rein.<br />
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For now I'd go with a loose draped leg, wrapped around your horse but without asking for impulsion. I'd slow/still/steady my seat to ask for the slow lope/canter you expect.<br />
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A former third level dressage horse expects to work off your seat first, legs second and hands third. You mention here to warm your…tag:www.barnmice.com,2010-01-05:1773158:Comment:1836002010-01-05T19:51:37.508ZShirleyhttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/Shirley
You mention here to warm your horse up. This probably should be unnecessary to say cause everyone should probably warm up prior to riding but with 15 people are my boarding facility, I've seen two people EVER stretch or warm up and even those two don't do it often. The human needs to warm-up too, especially if it's cold and they aren't used to cantering /loping. I was trying to canter for one of the first few times and my horse had been waiting for a long time for me to be ready and he'd had…
You mention here to warm your horse up. This probably should be unnecessary to say cause everyone should probably warm up prior to riding but with 15 people are my boarding facility, I've seen two people EVER stretch or warm up and even those two don't do it often. The human needs to warm-up too, especially if it's cold and they aren't used to cantering /loping. I was trying to canter for one of the first few times and my horse had been waiting for a long time for me to be ready and he'd had started to offer to canter when I'd get relaxed enough to move with him. After waiting so long, he was excited to finally 'go with it'. His first couple of strides were pretty large and I ended up pulling/tearing something in my thigh. Normally he stops very easily but as I said he was excited and the cantered smoothed to a nice canter but one it started to tear it pulled more each time I came down on the saddle and the pain was horrible. I ended up with terrible bruising from below the knee to over my pantie-line and at least 1/2 way around my thigh. I real piece of modern green/black and blue art-work.<br />
Your rhythm will in the end be the control on your speed...so I've been told.<br />
Enjoy the ride and forever progress. Good news Kathi!
Since your h…tag:www.barnmice.com,2010-01-05:1773158:Comment:1835912010-01-05T19:15:22.469Zsaskia bremmershttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/saskiabremmers
Good news Kathi!<br />
Since your horse is a 2nd level dressage horse he already has the necessary training tools to do what you are asking of him. Just like dressage slowing the lope for western is all about self carriage. Not only the horses but the riders self carriage as well. While there are many different exercises to help teach a horse to carry the lope I will only mention a few here.<br />
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First off I want to address rider position because this is crutial to your horse being able to stay in a…
Good news Kathi!<br />
Since your horse is a 2nd level dressage horse he already has the necessary training tools to do what you are asking of him. Just like dressage slowing the lope for western is all about self carriage. Not only the horses but the riders self carriage as well. While there are many different exercises to help teach a horse to carry the lope I will only mention a few here.<br />
<br />
First off I want to address rider position because this is crutial to your horse being able to stay in a balanced frame in a relaxed manner. Your horse will never be happy at this gate if the rider position is interfering. To help you visualize the correct position imagine I could snap my fingers and make the horse disappear out from underneath you, would you land on your feet? on your face? or on your bum? You should answer land on your feet with your knees softly bent. That will give you the mental picture of staying centered over your horse with your shoulders and hips in line with the back of your heels.<br />
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Trying to keep it simple I would first make sure that your horse is really warmed up and any excess energy has been worked out, sometimes just lunging your horse for 10 mins before you ride makes it much easier for them to focus. When you're working on the lope begin by applying half halts at regular intervals making sure to really give with your hands between each half halt this is the major difference between english and western; western horses are required to maintain their collected frame on a lose rein. It takes time and effort to teach both the horse and rider this. One of the simplest exercises you can do is to lope a circle with your horse. The size of the circle should be large enough that the horse can continue moving forward however small enough that he is encouraged to collect his gate. On the circle the rider must work with their leg and hand to encourage the horse to drive further underneath with their hind legs and round their back and lift their shoulders. Using a circle helps encourage your horse to slow down because it shortens one side of his body through the bend. Each time the horse responds with even the smallest effort the rider must respond by softening their hands. Through repetition the horse learns that every time he slows down and holds a collected frame he gets rewarded. You can also allow the horse off the circle onto a straight away. Taking the horse off of the circle and allowing him to lope on a straight line is a welcome break and a form of positive reinforcement -- he does something right and you make it easier for him.<br />
There are a lot of important factors such as timing, rider position, riding skill etc. that all come into play. Using the services of a qualified instructor would certainly be beneficial. A second set of eyes is invaluable. Wendy has a point, although i…tag:www.barnmice.com,2009-12-12:1773158:Comment:1783972009-12-12T02:58:02.256ZA_Sassy_Temptationhttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/A_Sassy_Temptation
Wendy has a point, although if you do not know how to properly slow your seat to slow the horse, you could actually chase the horse without knowing it.
Wendy has a point, although if you do not know how to properly slow your seat to slow the horse, you could actually chase the horse without knowing it. Sometimes it's as simple as r…tag:www.barnmice.com,2009-12-11:1773158:Comment:1782912009-12-11T21:10:09.479ZWendyhttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/Wendy72
Sometimes it's as simple as riding the speed you want to go. We all get caught up in riding the horse at his choice of speed..he goes fast, we ride fast. When your horse is loping/cantering, sit and ride slower....you will be surprised at how soon the horse reacts to your rhythm and slows down. Another little trick is to hum, a long hhhhhuuuuummmmmmmm.....as you ride. It relaxes your body and your horse will respond.
Sometimes it's as simple as riding the speed you want to go. We all get caught up in riding the horse at his choice of speed..he goes fast, we ride fast. When your horse is loping/cantering, sit and ride slower....you will be surprised at how soon the horse reacts to your rhythm and slows down. Another little trick is to hum, a long hhhhhuuuuummmmmmmm.....as you ride. It relaxes your body and your horse will respond. oh no..I didn't mean the droo…tag:www.barnmice.com,2009-12-06:1773158:Comment:1769862009-12-06T17:48:34.812ZA_Sassy_Temptationhttp://www.barnmice.com/profile/A_Sassy_Temptation
oh no..I didn't mean the droopy rein either (even an avid WP rider I am often questionable on how droopy), I just read "slow enough to enjoy the ride" and I thought she really wouldn't want to always do half halts.. so I was thinking the odd canter down the trail?<br />
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I don't know much about dressage horses..I know more on 3 day eventing (my bestfriend is a 3 day eventer, but she dislikes the dressage part), huntseat, and then the western side of things (mostly the showing classes of WP,…
oh no..I didn't mean the droopy rein either (even an avid WP rider I am often questionable on how droopy), I just read "slow enough to enjoy the ride" and I thought she really wouldn't want to always do half halts.. so I was thinking the odd canter down the trail?<br />
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I don't know much about dressage horses..I know more on 3 day eventing (my bestfriend is a 3 day eventer, but she dislikes the dressage part), huntseat, and then the western side of things (mostly the showing classes of WP, equitation, showmanship, and halter) but I am familiar with any other form of western riding without cattle as I began with horses as a trail rider, endurance, and gymkana stuff. So I could very well not know how dressage horses are trained.<br />
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also, the horse may not have been as advanced but isn't a collected canter pretty slow? I know an old dressage friend mentioned my old QH mare was doing a "collected canter" when she was loping in a open WP class..