I can kick perfectly while trotting but i find it very, very, very hard to do it while cantering,,, any tips? Thanks:)
You shouldn't have to kick. You only need to apply leg pressure.
You SHOULDN'T have to kick horses to get them to go, but if it's a lesson horse, I feel your pain. I've spent my whole life on lazy lessons horses that require kicking or crops or spurs and just recently discovered the joy of riding a well trained horse:) Part of it is just practice. It won't come automatically (otherwise everyone would be great at riding), you just have to work at it a little. Putting your weight into your heels should help though. When you're cantering, grip with your thighs and calves (but not your knees) and instead of swinging your whole leg out to kick him, try using just your heels to get him to go. If your leg is tight enough , this shouldn't be too hard because your heels should be right next to his side. That way your can just get him in his side with the back of your boot, and that combined with squeezing your legs should at least help. (If you're worried about equitation it might be a bit ugly with your toes pointed out though.) It might sound a little mean, but that's not how it's meant. I hope that helped, and good luck!
If you are having lessons on horses that must be kicked to make them respond then you are taking lessons at the wrong place. I do not think a person can learn to ride well if they are learning on a horse that is alive and that is all they are just occupying space on top of them. But I guess as long as you keep giving the trainer money they will keep taking it.
You generally want to squeeze with your lower leg instead of kicking to keep the horse moving. If he doesn't respond to that, try clucking or kissing, and if he still doesn't respond, try smacking him with the reins or a crop lightly at first, getting harder until he is at the speed that you are aiming for.
You shouldn 't be kicking or flapping, squeeze with your leg to keep them moving forward.
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ADD: I'm sure they are trained to respond to the leg or were at one stage, but as with many school horses, thanks to constant kicking have become dead to the leg.
You're not supposed to be kicking in the first place.
You're supposed to SQUEEZE, and if they don't respond, a little bump will suffice.
Those horses aren't trained correctly.
Like a Fox is correct, kicking is not appropriate in the canter. Squeeze with your leg and give energetic kissing sounds. If that doesn't work, you may need a crop to help you .
Good luck!
If you cant seem to kick whille cantering (which u shouldnt do anyway, ur just supposed to squeeze w/ur knees) carry a crop with you
This simply means that you are not hugging the horse with the correct muscles. Consult a trainer, or horse professional.
