Today’s video is for all the new partnerships out there! And for anyone who feels a little nervous about cantering! In this video I help a student at a clinic to get her cantering her OTTB for the first time!
Walk and trot have a lot more manageability to them but when we get to cantering a new horse for the first time, it’s best to be super prepared to give both of you the best experience and make sure you maintain rhythm and relaxation so they learn that cantering can be done in a nice and controlled way!
Here’s the step-by-step guide to prepare you to canter a new horse for the first time, including coming back to the trot and repeating the cycle!
To prepare for the first canter
- Flexion to the inside
- Keep the horse going forward
- Stay on the circle
- Keep your hands down
Gradually build up to the canter by trotting a little bit faster and faster and find a place in the arena where the horse naturally tips forward into the canter.
It’s more important that the horse stays relaxed and receptive throughout the canter transition than it is for them to do it exactly when you ask.
If your horse speeds up and comes above the bit in the transition the best solution is to stay calm and allow them to canter through the tension until they drop their head down and relax again.
In the canter you should:
- Keep turning and softening – don’t forget to release
- Bend your horse and keep your horse off your inside leg for control
- Breathe, keep your hands down, and shoulders back!
To come back to trot:
- Stay on the circle
- Stretch your body up tall
- Use your voice to transition to trot
To re-establish the trot after the canter
- Maintain a steady tempo (often horses will want to rush in the trot after the canter)
- Maintain a steady contact
- Let your horse relax into the good quality trot that they had before the canter
Don’t forget to give them a walk break once they’ve achieved all the above steps and reward them for work well done!
If you’re new to cantering with your horse, get used to circles as bending will help you improve suppleness!
Click here to watch the video of the first “Dressage” canter on this lovely OTTB!
