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  Discussion on Collection in the canter
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Posted on Saturday, Jan 29, 2000 - 10:32 pm:

I recently purchased a 7yr old TB gelding. He is pretty much educated but he can't collect himself in a canter, he has lovely extensions and collections in a trot but when it comes to cantering, its very long strided and extended!
My trainer says to use half-halts consistently, & I do, but its not enough! Can anyone give me some suggestions along with the half-halts!??!?!
Thanks
S.S

Posted on Sunday, Jan 30, 2000 - 12:03 pm:

Hi Hiran,

you can also try lots of upwards and downwards transistions between trot and canter. The downward transitions should help to bring his hind end under him more so when you ask for the canter depart he is coming from behind. Also, frequent circles will help him to balance under himself which is the key to collection.

Teresa

Posted on Monday, Jan 31, 2000 - 5:23 am:

This is going to sound really stupid but I'm not familiar with the terms upward/downward transition, I rpobably know what it is but just don't use that term, could you explain it a little bit!?!?
thanks
Shemarrah

Posted on Monday, Jan 31, 2000 - 2:50 pm:

Switching between gaits - from trot to canter or canter to trot can be an up (trot to canter) or down (canter to trot) transition. You can also have more dramatic transitions, say from canter to halt as the horse becomes more advanced.

Transitions can occur within the gait, too - from working trot to collected trot, for example.

Do you have any hills/grades you can work on? Up hill work will help a horse learn to use himself better behind.

It takes time for a horse to engage with his hind end - the muscles and movement have to be developed to be comfortable. Lateral work at trot can help, too.

Your position must be very correct, too, to encourage him to come off the forehand. If you are a little forward at the canter with your shoulders, it will encourage him to be on his forehand.

How does he lunge at the canter? It may be he first needs to lunge and practice transitions without a rider, then your instructor could lunge you and him with transitions as he learns to adjust for rider weight. Also, lunge lessons are wonderful ways to work on your own position - I still have one occassionally even after riding all my life. A good thing to do while riding a lunging horse is to close your eyes and "feel" his legs, your set, etc. The feel through your seat is so important.

Hope this gives you some ideas. People have written whole books on getting collection at the canter, GRIN.

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 1, 2000 - 5:41 am:

Thanks for your help! I'll try the circles TERESA I'll also try the lunging, CHRIS!
My trainer actually gave me a ring yesterday and said she will be leaving for about 6 months to another state due to some family affairs so I'll be working by myself for a while but hopefully using the techniques you've outlines I should be able to improve to some extent! I'll keep you posted
Thanks again
Shemarrah

Posted on Wednesday, May 30, 2001 - 1:55 pm:

I am having similar canter problems and have two questions about the above: one, can someone help me understand the proper timing of a half-halt at the canter? And two, if I ask my instructor for a lunge lesson to work on canter (as Chris suggested), is it safe for my horse to be wearing side reins? The safety issue that I am worried about is the need for my horse to use her head and neck freely while we both work on balance. She barely "canters" at all now but gets down on her forehand and races around, except when she is lunged with side reins (pretty loose side reins, but enough for a light contact with her mouth), or when ridden by a much better rider than I. I know that I need to improve my own balance and seat in order to help her with her balance, and I want to try some lunge lessons with that goal in mind. Are side reins too restrictive to use with a rider up? Thanks!

Posted on Friday, Jun 1, 2001 - 5:22 pm:

Try this, works for all my horses.

go along a fence line with perhaps 4 strides BEHIND you to a corner. Turn the horses head into the fence, and at the same time release with what is now the outside rein and cue with the now outside leg for the canter, give one and only one kiss. Go around the corner and 3-4 strides, STOP. Repeat the other way...do it 5 times a day.

An old cowboy taught me this and I consider it the best info I have ever been taught. My horses now are collected, respond to the canter with one kiss, and canter slowly because they *know* they might be stopped in 7-8 strides, so they are always looking for the stop cue.

Just make sure you sit back and release the reins so the horse can go forward. Takes about 1 week to get down!

Christa
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