Canter-walk-canter transitions are one of the best exercises to introduce the concept of collection to your horse! In order to execute a walk-canter transition properly, the horse must lower and engage the hind end muscles and lift up through the withers and that IS collection!
In this week’s video I demonstrate how I introduce the canter-walk-canter transitions on my 5 year old, Kensington! He is just learning these transitions and makes a lot of mistakes which allows me the opportunity to explain how to handle them!
Before you start these transitions, be sure that you are proficient with the canter-trot-canter transitions in both directions. The easiest way to introduce the walk-canter transition is to go from the walk- allow a few trot steps, and then ask for canter. Gradually take fewer and fewer trot steps until the horse goes directly from the walk to canter!
On the majority of horses, the walk-canter transition is easier than the canter-walk as it requires a lot of collection in the canter to get from the canter to the walk without any trot steps! For the canter-walk transitions, use a small 10 meter circle to help collect the canter and prepare the horse for the walk transition. Use several half halts on the up beat of the canter stride to prepare the horse for the transition to walk. It can also help to slightly yield the horse off of the inside leg during the downward transition to help the horse sit and stay engaged on the inside hind leg! Hope this video is helpful! What is your biggest struggle with the canter-walk-canter transition??
