Q&A for How to Canter With Your Horse

A gallop is a lot faster than cantering. Cantering is much more collected and pretty than galloping is.

It takes time. Imagine your seat was glued to the saddle, and you are just flowing with your horse.

Calm down - you could spook your horse. Don't push or force yourself. Try starting out with a very slow canter. If you are learning to canter on a green or spritely horse, you may want to try cantering with a more experienced and calm horse. Relax. Think about what fun it will be when you will canter without being worried! There is nothing to be afraid of.

Keep practicing trotting until you feel ready to move on.

By sitting down on your horse's back and carrying only a small amount of weight in your feet. Avoid bumping on your horse's back, and let your hips rock with the horse's movement. Remember to keep your position.

Practice this progression: strong half halt, release, strong half halt, release. You could also turn her in a circle to slow her down. Don't forget to release when you half halt though.

It depends on how often you see and ride your horse, but I would expect at least a month of practice.

Half halt and stop. Change horses, and sit to it. When she can't get you off, she will be annoyed. Show her who's boss.

Try to keep your heels down as far as you can, because it makes it easier to balance while cantering. If when you lean back you pull on the horse, try lengthening your reins.

To get a smooth canter, you will need to do what's called "collection." This where you gently give the reins a little tug while you remind your horse to keep going with a gentle nudge with your boot. Your horse's head will start to tuck and he will slow down.

Try leaning back to get aligned with the horse in the saddle.

If possible start with a older, nicer pony. It is understandable that you are terrified but just go forward and you will love it. Plus, if you like it, it will be an outstanding stepping stone for your equine career!

In the center you can perform a “ flying change” or a sitting change. The flying change is when the horse switches his or her hooves to get on the correct lead. (Lead is diagonal on canter) the sitting change is when you go down a gate into the trot and pick up your canter soon after hoping for The correct lead. If you want to switch your diagonal (meaning trot), sit two beats then stand once again and you will be on your correct diagonal.

It should feel like you can almost feel the bit but not to the extent where you're pulling your horse’s head. So, pull towards where you're going and pull a bit behind and a bit looser to let your horse’s head move.

I have the same fear. Try to get out of the round pen. Find just a nice flat or slightly uphill stretch of ground without rocks or holes. You can canter there. Just walk and trot first so the horse knows it's just more work, not something exciting.

Sit deeply and breathe. Half-halt strongly, but don't hand on to his head, which will make him lean on you. You can also do this in two-point if your position is secure. Just canter for short stretches incorporated in your normal session. Pretty soon it won't be such a big deal. With these horses, you need to sit up in your canter transition, and don't put your outside leg to far back.

You can sit back and shift your weight back. Just focus on yourself, and after riding for some time you will get better at this.

Nothing! This is normal. After a while your balance will get better.