HEELS WON'T GO DOWN IN TROT TO CANTER TRANSITIONS

HorseLuver4Ever · 01-09-2004, 01:50 PM

I was just wonderin if anyone had any suggestions for getting heels down from the bumpy TROT/CANTER transition, on some horses(i take lessons) my heels stay pretty well put and nicely positon but once i get on a really bumpy pony it's really hard. Is there a way to make my heels stay down and steady or are everyone's like that in that kind of transition? help!

Dawn · 01-09-2004, 01:52 PM

Are you asking for the canter from a rising or sitting trot? Really, the best way to fix it would be to practice the sitting trot. If you can sit the trot with your heel correct, this should be the same. Also make sure that you're not letting the horse run into the canter.

QHGirl · 01-09-2004, 01:54 PM

PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE....

Are you comfortable riding with no sturrips??? Sometimes riding and doing transitions to build your leg muscle up is the best thing to do.

Make sure you always remember - Toes to the sky wink Or heels down!!!

Keep mentally thinking it, focus and keep doing it until it is somethign you do without thinking.

Sorry I could not be of more help!

HorseLuver4Ever · 01-09-2004, 01:58 PM

Thanx. Both of you so far. In fact I'm very comfortable no stirrups. I think I may ask my teacher if we can do some next week. We worked on them for a while but I was on a very moody Pony Mare so ya. Thanx a Bunch

Sandra-A1 · 01-09-2004, 01:59 PM

Really on a bumpy pony(and horse for that matter wink ) you do the best you can and that's about it!

Just continue to work to strenghten you upper and lower leg as well as practicing to learn to move with your hips and waist, with such rough gaited mounts.
Taking the stairs instead of the elevator/lift, riding a bike and just walking can help strenghten your legs and lower body.

I have always found doing a lot of trotting in a 2-point position helpful as well as a lot of alternating work between the sitting trot and posting with out stirrups worked for me.

<small>[ January 09, 2004, 02:00 PM: Message edited by: Sandra-A1 ]</small>

QHGirl · 01-09-2004, 02:08 PM

Another exercise we used to have to do:

Post 10 strides, then sit 10, post 9 strides, sit 9 strides, post 8 strides, sit 8 strides, post 7 strides, sit 7 strides...... all the way down to posting 1 stride, sit one, then back up, post 2 strides, sit 2 strides, post 3 strides, sit 3... and so on!!!

That helps alot too! Even in a western saddle!!

H/J Princess · 01-09-2004, 02:13 PM

If you're really having a hard time, try two-pointing your transitions just to get the weight into your heels. After time go back to sitting, since you shouldn't be posting into a canter anyway...hope I helped a little.

Super_Trooper · 01-09-2004, 03:38 PM

Those are all very good ideas...stretch your heels, use the stairs and stretch them long.

I know what you mean between the bumpy trot & canter position....you are eventually going to want to only give one canter cue and your horse is going to canter...make sure your not gripping with your knees causing the heel to come up!

crazi4horses · 01-09-2004, 03:44 PM

Quote:

QHGirl:
Another exercise we used to have to do:

Post 10 strides, then sit 10, post 9 strides, sit 9 strides, post 8 strides, sit 8 strides, post 7 strides, sit 7 strides...... all the way down to posting 1 stride, sit one, then back up, post 2 strides, sit 2 strides, post 3 strides, sit 3... and so on!!!

That helps alot too! Even in a western saddle!!

thanks a really good idea....next time i go ride im gonna try it!...thanks! running_

Jumpers · 01-09-2004, 05:16 PM

What discipline do you ride? Dressage requires a horizontal foot placement - not a "heels down" posture. Of course other disciplines like western pleasure or huntseat requires a deeper heel.

01-09-2004, 01:50 PM	#1
HorseLuver4Ever Full Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 53	HEELS WON'T GO DOWN IN TROT TO CANTER TRANSITIONS I was just wonderin if anyone had any suggestions for getting heels down from the bumpy TROT/CANTER transition, on some horses(i take lessons) my heels stay pretty well put and nicely positon but once i get on a really bumpy pony it's really hard. Is there a way to make my heels stay down and steady or are everyone's like that in that kind of transition? help!

01-09-2004, 01:52 PM	#2
Dawn Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 37,203 Images: 1580	Are you asking for the canter from a rising or sitting trot? Really, the best way to fix it would be to practice the sitting trot. If you can sit the trot with your heel correct, this should be the same. Also make sure that you're not letting the horse run into the canter. __________________ Sexy by Christmas Challenge-r!! Goal: 11 lbs LOST CURRENT: 4 lbs LOST Starting Weight 170 lbs. Goal Weight 155 lbs. Reached! 20 pound club 2009 Starting Weight 152 lbs. Goal Weight 140 lbs. Reached!

01-09-2004, 01:54 PM	#3
QHGirl Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 7,704 Images: 368	PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE.... Are you comfortable riding with no sturrips??? Sometimes riding and doing transitions to build your leg muscle up is the best thing to do. Make sure you always remember - Toes to the sky wink Or heels down!!! Keep mentally thinking it, focus and keep doing it until it is somethign you do without thinking. Sorry I could not be of more help! __________________ I must not forget to thank the difficult horses, who made my life miserable, but who were better teachers than the well-behaved school horses who raised no problems. -Alois Podhaisky Sexy by Christmas Challenge-r!! Start: 0 lbs LOST / Goal: 10 lbs LOST / CURRENT: 0 lbs LOST

01-09-2004, 01:59 PM	#5
Sandra-A1 Senior Member+ Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Alabama Posts: 9,170 Images: 257	Really on a bumpy pony(and horse for that matter wink ) you do the best you can and that's about it! Just continue to work to strenghten you upper and lower leg as well as practicing to learn to move with your hips and waist, with such rough gaited mounts. Taking the stairs instead of the elevator/lift, riding a bike and just walking can help strenghten your legs and lower body. I have always found doing a lot of trotting in a 2-point position helpful as well as a lot of alternating work between the sitting trot and posting with out stirrups worked for me. <small>[ January 09, 2004, 02:00 PM: Message edited by: Sandra-A1 ]</small> __________________ "It is our choices Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." ~Dumbledore

01-09-2004, 02:08 PM	#6
QHGirl Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 7,704 Images: 368	Another exercise we used to have to do: Post 10 strides, then sit 10, post 9 strides, sit 9 strides, post 8 strides, sit 8 strides, post 7 strides, sit 7 strides...... all the way down to posting 1 stride, sit one, then back up, post 2 strides, sit 2 strides, post 3 strides, sit 3... and so on!!! That helps alot too! Even in a western saddle!! __________________ I must not forget to thank the difficult horses, who made my life miserable, but who were better teachers than the well-behaved school horses who raised no problems. -Alois Podhaisky Sexy by Christmas Challenge-r!! Start: 0 lbs LOST / Goal: 10 lbs LOST / CURRENT: 0 lbs LOST

01-09-2004, 01:58 PM	#4
HorseLuver4Ever Full Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 53	Thanx. Both of you so far. In fact I'm very comfortable no stirrups. I think I may ask my teacher if we can do some next week. We worked on them for a while but I was on a very moody Pony Mare so ya. Thanx a Bunch

01-09-2004, 02:13 PM	#7
H/J Princess Full Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 248	If you're really having a hard time, try two-pointing your transitions just to get the weight into your heels. After time go back to sitting, since you shouldn't be posting into a canter anyway...hope I helped a little.

01-09-2004, 03:38 PM	#8
Super_Trooper Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: BC Canada Posts: 9,472 Images: 77	Those are all very good ideas...stretch your heels, use the stairs and stretch them long. I know what you mean between the bumpy trot & canter position....you are eventually going to want to only give one canter cue and your horse is going to canter...make sure your not gripping with your knees causing the heel to come up! __________________ True commitment begins when you reach the point of not knowing how you could possibly go on, and deciding to do it anyway! http://b1.lilypie.com/mCKWm7/.png

01-09-2004, 05:16 PM	#10
Jumpers Banned Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 3,216	What discipline do you ride? Dressage requires a horizontal foot placement - not a "heels down" posture. Of course other disciplines like western pleasure or huntseat requires a deeper heel.

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