[MiniHorseGrl]

hi, i didnt know where to post this, so i figured here was good :P

i've been riding in walk trot canter classes for a few years, but i still cant seem to sit right for loping/cantering. i have been practicing, and ive gotten my feet and legs quite good, keeping them in the right place, as well as my hands, but when i canter, i cant seem to sit right, and my sis says i lean back to far, and im not going with the horse right, but she cant seem to explain HOW to go with the horse right.
because of the horse i used to ride, i have to exagerate EVERYTTHING. the horse, Dancer, would use any tiny sign to her advantage, if you wanted her walking, hands had to b tighter on the reins, legs completely off her sides, and sit real relaxed, and back. when you wanted her to go faster, sit up, loosen hands up a lot, legs against ehr sides. if you didnt, she would do the opposite if it was what she wanted. she was treated bad when younger, and took off at a full out gallop, and then stopped dead dumping her rider, and my sis broke her of that, but the only way to do that, was to get her VERY sensitive to the slightest command, but now when i ride, it messes me up with Koda, the horse i ride now, since he gets slightly confused by this...
anyway, anyone have tips for getting a better seat while cantering? also, i cant really have my leg on him, he goes faster since he games with my bro, and im tryin to do western pleasure..any tips?

[Blistering Winds]

Pick a horse and learn all their "quirks". If they are trained to do it, you just have to learn each horse and how to ask each one.


Also, work with a trainer to increase your knowledge and your horse's abilities.

[MiniHorseGrl]

thats thwe thing, i only have my sis, and she gets annoyed with me REAL fast, and my dad doesnt have the money to get me lessons right now, thats why i just wanted advice on how to sit right cantering

[Toby&Arie]

Well if your shoulder is going too far back in the canter, that is usually a safety mechanism people use to protect themselves... I was guilty of that for a long time. Be conscious of where your shoulders are when cantering. If you feel that they are back so far they are breaking the line of your body then tilt them forward. You should have a straight line running from ear to shoulder to hip to heel. Breaking that line will disrupt your seat and limit the effectiveness of your aids.

Instead of using your shoulder to bring your weight back, you really want to pull back from your lower belly. Make sure you're sitting up straight and crunch your abdominal muscles while riding, especially when asking the horse to do something. That will make you stronger than anything else.

You also might be moving your shoulders back in an attempt to strengthen your chest. This is a no-no. If you want a strong chest, make sure your shoulders are DOWN rather then back and work on strengthening your pectoral muscles. Many female riders tend to shove their ***** out when people say to make a strong chest. You need to widen your chest to become powerful, rather than pulling back at your shoulders and shoving your bosom out there.

[thrghbrdrder]

i agree with toby&arie, that was a funny way to put the last part!!