I tried cantering for the first time today (English), and although my instructor said she was impressed I still felt very awkward. I kept leaning forward and balancing with my legs instead of my waist, not to mention my heels wouldn't stay down . Not sure if this makes a difference, but my instructor said of my horse, "She's a typical Arabian so her canter is very choppy."
You'll get much better with practice! Focus on relaxing into the stride and moving with the rhythm. To sit with the rhythm, move your hips in a backwards circle, which will allow you to easier sync with the horse's stride. Sit straight up, don't collapse your stomach, and don't grip real hard with your legs. Doing this will allow you to sit deep in the saddle, move with the horse's rhythm, and keep correct equitation.
Here is a video I recommend which shows how to sit the canter correctly. It shows the backwards circle and why you shouldn't push with your seat:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fbbm_U9Md ...
Try cantering bareback for a while so you can really feel the natural movement of your horse and learn to get your balance without the aid of a saddle. When you get this down, then have your trainer work you and the horse on a lunge line while your arms are crossed across your chest. THEN go back to the saddle on a lunge line with your arms crossed, then, and only then, start cantering while hang on to the reins. It will take time, weeks not days, but you will be amazed at how relaxed and natural it will feel. Works for English and Western riding.
You should try riding a couple of different horses at the canter. That helps you see what it feels like and then you know whether a particular horse feels "funny" or its just that you aren't used to the canter yet.
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My best advice would be to sink lots of weight into your heels and lower leg, take your knee OFF otherwise you are just going to pitch forward, and try and keep your weight balanced on all three points of your seat. (I hope you know what I mean ...). The canter is my favorite gait. Once you get used to it its REALLY comfortable.
well, to get more comfortable u have to canter more! ive been cantering for 4 years and its sooo comfy for me. you could maybe try some transitions like at the top and bottom of the ring your riding in trot, then on the sides, canter. it will help you get more comfortable with transitioning from trot to canter and it is also good for your horse if going throught training. i did this the other day with a horse at my barn named dolly. shes 5 years old. she needs some help with stuff like that so i did that. she a lot better that when she was 4, but she still need some help. the point is that this exersise with get you into motion with the canter and as short as the time may be, you will feel it more. i hope this helped!
Well if it was your first time cantering, dont worry about it. It takes time to become comfortable with, so if I were you, I wouldn't be worried about feeling awkward. Just focus on maintaining a relaxed upper body, sink your weight in your heels, and buff your seat. The more you do it the less awkward it will feel:)
It is weird at first but you will get used to it.make sure your shoulders are back, your stirrup is at the ball of your foot and just push your heels down.go with the stride of the horse. at first when you start cantering stay on that horse for a couple of weeks just to feel the stride of a horse because all horse's strides are different.this might sound weird but move your bottom forward and back and go with the horse .. don't lean forward believe in your self and lean back ..
it was your first time, it takes a while to get used to. my first time cantering i almost fell and was terrified to canter after that. if after a while you still feel like your position is awkward then have your coach put you on a lunge line and focus solely on your position, try doing this on a smoother horse. Arabians tend to be very choppy in all their gates. Oh and practise practise practise!
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com happy ridding
ps make sure your heels are down!! i don't know how many times ive lost a stirrup because my heels are up and have gone over a fence with just one!
Practice, practice, practice:) Keeping in rhythm with your horse with your hips will help you keep your seat and also help you keep your heels down. But don't stress over it, just have fun and keep practicing.
