The fun comes after the trot.You may find sitting the canter difficult if you are a beginner.It can be hard to position your body in a way that allows you to move with your horse.If you want to sit the canter, you need to position your body.Keeping your hips and legs loose will allow you to follow the movement of your horse with your body.If you are having trouble sitting the canter, check to see if there are any issues with the stirrup length.
Step 1: Get your horse moving.
Before you can move into the canter, you need to get your horse moving.The trot is quicker than walking.When the horse is walking, you can squeeze your legs.As you circle your riding arena, allow your horse to get into a nice, rhythmic trot.Prepare for the canter transition by trotting for several minutes.
Step 2: Sit down.
You need to sit back a bit during the canter.In order to signal, shift your weight backwards.You don't want to shift too far back as this will cause you to lose control.Your weight should be shifted to your seat bones.When you signal for the canter, don't hunch forward.Make sure your seat bones are resting against the back curve of your saddle as well as the horse's back.You've shifted back too far if you can't feel your seat bones.
Step 3: The canter needs a signal at the right time.
When the horse is easy to transition, you want to signal for the canter.When you're rounding the corner of a circle, signal your horse to canter just before you reach a corner.
Step 4: Send your horse to canter.
To signal your horse to canter, squeeze with the leg facing the inside of the riding arena.To signal, move the leg facing outside of the arena slightly behind the horse's girth.
Step 5: Put your body in a neutral position.
You want to hold your body in a neutral position when you cantering.You can follow your horse's lead.During the canter, the same neutral position you would hold during the halt should be maintained.The ear, shoulder, hip, and heel should be aligned.They should form a line that is parallel to the ground.Don't arch your lower back.Remember, your shoulders should line up with your ear, so resist the urge to move them back, which will cause your back to arch.
Step 6: The canter has a rhythm to it.
You want to move with the horse when cantering.Your hips should follow the rocking of your horse's back as you canter.The horse's inside hip and outside hip move in quick succession during the canter.The horse's hind feet will push off the ground.Allow your body to shift with the horse.Keeping your buttocks in the saddle will require you to tilt, shift, and then rise your hips slightly.This won't happen overnight.It will take a lot of practice, as well as getting used to your horse's particular rhythm, before you can sit the canter without trouble.As you practice the canter, your core muscles will build.Strong core muscles allow you to maintain a neutral position.
Step 7: With your reins, follow the horse's head.
During the canter, you should move your arms back and forth in the rhythm of the horse's head.If you can't move the reins, you might want to loosen them a bit.Your horse has enough room to move his head without being tense.
Step 8: Keep your legs loose.
Many people feel the need to grip with their legs during the canter.This makes it more difficult to maintain your balance.Place your legs at your side and lightly wrap around the horse.The canter can be difficult if you squeeze your legs.If you're gripping too tightly, it can cause your legs to swing excessively during the canter, which can also happen if you hollow your back.
Step 9: Make sure you don't put too much pressure on your knees.
When cantering, gripping too tightly with the knees may cause you to bounce a lot in the saddle.If you're a young rider, you may want to hold onto your knees for balance.This makes balance harder to maintain.If you stretch your leg downward during the canter, it will lie at the horse's side.Put your weight into your heels by stretching your calf muscles.This will allow you to sit the canter more efficiently.
Step 10: You should check the lengths of your stirrups.
It can be difficult to sit the canter if your stirrups are too long.You tightened your stirrups, thinking they would give you more control.The case is different.Take your legs out of the stirrups.If you're riding with English stirrups, they should hit your ankle bone.Western stirrups should be long enough that you can easily tip your toe forward and get your foot in the stirrup, while bending your leg slightly.
Step 11: If you grasp the reins during the canter, you can return to the trot or walk.
You don't want to canter before you're ready.This is a sign of tension if you are gripping the reins tight.This will make it difficult for your horse to control his head and canter properly, as well as making it hard for you to balance in the saddle.If you can't canter without gripping the reins, return to walk for a few minutes.You might want to wait a few weeks and try to canter again if you can't stay calm.
Step 12: Consider riding without stirrups.
Many young riders have issues with their legs.If you have an issue with this, try riding without your legs in the stirrups.During the canter, this will help you improve your seat and balance.If you are a young rider, make sure you only do it under the supervision of your instructor.