[Paint_luver]

Okay, I was curious when you're making a transition from a trot to a canter, do you do it from a sitting trot or a posting trot (or two point I suppose). I was always taught to do it from a sitting trot to help the horse keep balanced and to help them pick up the correct lead, but there's a new boarder at my barn, and while I was watching her ride today, I noticed she kept doing the transition from a posting trot. I asked her about it, and she remarked that making the transition from a posting trot was the only "correct way." I wasn't really pleased with her reaction, but I thought I'd just ask and see what other people thought. I know that what she said isn't true, because I know asking from a sitting trot is NOT incorrect, but I just wanted thoughts on it.

[MysticRealm]

I always do it from the sitting trot or else the horse thinks you are asking for an extended trot

[Bella]

I have also been taught that it should be cued from the sitting trot. It prepares the horse for the transition...

-Bella

[jeda_horse]

I do it from a sitting trot because I feel it just encourages the horse to do what your asking. If you know what I mean..... If I keep posting and Jeda is in a lazy mood then she will just continue to trot so I have to sit and she then gets the message. I don't think I explained myself very well but you catch my drift I hope.

[mustang_dodger]

yeah you should always do it from a sitting trot, cause you cue with your legs and your seat.

[EventingDayDream]

always sitting trot. You should really ask for the canter by sitting really deep in the saddle, and a light leg aid if needed. I just walked in 15 min ago from my dressage lesson lol, and we worked on walk canter and trot canter transitions, keeping him connected and out ot the bit throught the transitions cause he likes to suck back. Anyway, yes ALWAYS sitting trot. Eventually all you have to do is sit real deep and they go, you won't need your Leg at all. Pal had some nice ones today. You think when you are posting at the trot, sit 2 3 down and go! Like stop posting, count 2-3 steps then sit really deep into the saddle and wha la! They should go! Takes a little work, but it's great when tey start responding to it, so fluid and smooth!

[MyBabyTex]

I was taught you needed to sit and then ask so the horse knows something else is going on. If not, its just going to be getting you a faster trot and a confused horse!

You can tell that girl she is crazy. She sounds snobby anyways. Its funniest when the snobs are wrong.

[arabkid]

For the young horses I do it from the sitting trot, because I have always been taught that is the proper way. For the old horses I don't bother sitting, because in the show ring it looks sloppy if you bounce! LOL

[Paint_luver]

Originally Posted by EventingDayDream

always sitting trot. You should really ask for the canter by sitting really deep in the saddle, and a light leg aid if needed. I just walked in 15 min ago from my dressage lesson lol, and we worked on walk canter and trot canter transitions, keeping him connected and out ot the bit throught the transitions cause he likes to suck back. Anyway, yes ALWAYS sitting trot. Eventually all you have to do is sit real deep and they go, you won't need your Leg at all. Pal had some nice ones today. You think when you are posting at the trot, sit 2 3 down and go! Like stop posting, count 2-3 steps then sit really deep into the saddle and wha la! They should go! Takes a little work, but it's great when tey start responding to it, so fluid and smooth!

Hey Kelly, that's really interesting, I'll have to try that with my new horse, that sounds really neat. But I have a question, most horses I ride, when you sit really deep it encourages them to slow or stop, how do you show the difference? OH! Or do you just keep encouraging forward motion with your body (hips, etc) while sitting really deep? I could see that happening. Buddy actually got pretty good at trot to canter. I would post usualy, then sit for a few steps like you said, get a little more forward motion with my body, then just sllllide my outside leg back a little bit, just enough to touch him, and he would canter.

[TrickPony]

Yeah... I agree that cueing from a posting trot influences bad habits. It can teach your horse to "run" into the canter instead of picking it up nicely.