About Jamee Lee Expertise I can answer any kinds of question about english riding...jumping, hunter, and dressage. I can also help you deal with your horse's ground manners. I am here to help you!
Experience Coaching for 5 years
Judged some local shows
Rider 1,2,4,6
Education/Credentials Coaching for 5 years
Judged some local shows
Rider 1,2,4,6
Expert: Jamee Lee Date: 2/19/2008 Subject: My pony won't canter immediately...
Question Hi! I ride an 11hh black welsh cross pony, that is about 6 years old. I love him
to death, but I have a problem getting him to canter. He is stubborn all the
time, and with other riders. He doesn't want to trot or canter, and I have to
kick him multiple times. I just got some small spurs, and now hes great with
trotting and stuff, but getting him to canter is still a problem. I'll cue him,
and he'll go into a fast trot, and then like after 30 steps, he'll canter, even with
the spurs. Any advice? I ride this pony almost every single lesson I have, and
he never canters immediately, and I really need hi, to, as I am going to be in a
hunter show with him in march. Thanks!
Answer Hello Sydney!
Aw got to love those ponies! lol
They are cuties thow!
Anyhow, the 1st things I would ask myself would be:
1. is my tack fitting properly?
2. is he sore anywhere?
And if none of these two problems occur to him, then maybe it's just a factor that he just doesn't know what you are asking him to do. I used to ride a Welsh Pony that did the SAME thing. I spent most of my lesson trying to get him to canter. Let me tell you..NOT FUN lol
Anyhow, I went back to Plan A. I had the ''trainer brain''. I pretty much taught him what it meant when I applied my outside leg and said the word caaaanter!
It took me several days, several hours to get it in his head.
When you are trotting him, and ready to canter, do a firm half halt, then immediately apply your outside leg, behind the girth. If he just picks up a faster trot, half halt him again, make him listen to you, be firm, and let him know that that was NOT what you wanted. Trust me, it WILL take a while. Maybe try a crop too. So, trot, half halt, outside leg, CROP, and say ''caaaaaaanter'' and if he just speeds up, half halt, sit deep and say ''NO'' really firm, and try again.
You will get really really frustrated, trust me. But eventually he WILL get it. I promise. And as soon as he picks up his canter, give him his head, and praise praise praise.. ''goooood boy!!! goooood canter!! goood boy!!!!'' canter let's say, a whole time around or half a turn around the arena, then bring him to a walk, and end your riding. You always want to end on a good note.
Good luck!!! I hope it works!
And don't forget, it will take time, ponies are stubborn, but they are also very intelligent animals!
