[JBandRio]

Originally Posted by Kaitlan

i know its not pain,

How do you *know*?

or my riding that's making him do this.

How do you know?

he's just really stubborn.

No, he's not. This is a training issue, assuming there really is no discomfort issue.

he doesn't like me pushing him into it

Would you like someone doing all the stuff you're doing on your back? Be still up there. Give him the aids, back them up so he more clearly understands.

but hes fine when we get it. ill also do a bunch of transitions

How is his walk-trot transition? Is it immediate and in good form? Or does he take several walking strides first? If so, that is part of your problem in that you haven't taught him to be responsive to your aids.

im just going to have to devote a whole riding session to trantitions. i really think the whip will help him get it.

Yes, yes, and yes

[farmeress]

I find that when a horse "runs" into the canter that either balance is a large factor and/or the riders' aids are not clear enough for the horse to understand and/or the timing for such aids are not concise.

How is his balance? Transitions will help here.

Do you reinforce your leg aid with your core/back muscles while ensuring the aids are done correctly and together with the seatbones?

Are you using the seatbone muscles in conjunction with the pelvic when asking for the canter?

What are you doing with the reins? How are you using the half halts in conjuntion with the other body aids?

Are you asking for the canter "whenever"? Are you timing the asking aids with the hoof falls for easier transitions by the horse. If you are asking for the right lead when his inside "front" (using the front as it will be easier for you to guage your timing on) hoof is on the ground, you are "off" on your timing in the asking aid. He will not be able to pick the correct lead as easy if the leading foot is already on the ground when you ask for a canter transition, it may even cause him some confusion as to what you really want.

Are you asking too hard...yes...too hard, which will encourage running instead of co-operation.

Are YOU balanced? Are you sure? It only takes a little lean, an offset seatbone or tenseness in YOUR body to affect your horses' way of going.

Maybe a video, if you can get one, would help us more.

[Ms_Pigeon]

You have some great advice here, and a good idea on the table - a session devoted to transitions. Just be sure you don't spend the whole time on trot-canter.

As JBandRio asked, how are his other transitions? How does your body work in other transitions?

An exercise I find useful: trot-halt transitions at two, then four places in the arena. Start by picking two places in your ring where you'll execute a halt - places that have visual markers for you, like a fence post or a cone. Establish a working trot. Execute your halt (I won't go into details that you may not need about the halt, i.e. using seat, leg, rein, and voice for a smooth transition down, but you get the idea ).

Then, back up to trot, with as few walk steps in between as possible. The most important thing: keeping your seat grounded in the saddle and resisting the urge to get "Yee-haw" with your legs and/or throwing your upper body forward. That's something we all have to fight - we want our horses to go forward, and end up pushing ourselves forward instead. Keep your seat in the saddle for the trot transition - think of sitting a few "bumps" before posting to be sure you're not throwing your seat away. Then...on to the next halt!

As your horse gets more focused/listening on the transitions, you should find them easier to work. You can up the ante by asking him to halt at three, then four places on the ring. Not only will you be working his body through these transitions, you'll be engaging his mind. It's amazing how attentive they get when they know we're going to be consistently challenging them with something.

And this work will carry over to the canter. When your horse is more focused on listening to what you're telling him, and your body is learning to stay better grounded through transitions, things will improve.

Best of luck, and forgive this novel!

[Kaitlan]

i asked to to do it with a whip today and he got it almost instantly. after a couple times i didn't even have to use the whip anymore, just my usual aids. i think he was just honestly being lazy. thanks for your help!