Canter problem

[hiddenheavenfarm]

I wonder if someone would be so kind as to describe in basic terms what you should be doing with your body (ie where is your weight, bend of body, etc.).

On the right lead canter, I can't get the horse to bend around my leg at one part of the circle. He will go behind the vertical, I think he pops he right shoulder and almost leg yields to the left and I sometimes can't get the turn to save my life. This is becoming a pattern and I need to break it.

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks for any suggestions.

[slc2]

Not enough outside aids/outside rein/too much inside leg.

[EqTrainer]

Sorry I hope this doesn't sound rude but this is one of my favorite things to "fix". It usually takes a few minutes and it's fun.

There is a moment where you go OH S%$# and grab your inside rein because the horse is not turning. If instead of doing that, you can put your inside rein forward (quickly, and then take it back, and then release it again) while you boot him off your outside aids, he will have to turn.

Really.

SLC is right, you need more outside aids. But when a horse has gotten professional at this, you have to just NOT give them that inside rein to hold on to when they do it.

You have to think about riding a square, not a circle. You have to move his shoulders over, not his head.

[dalpal]

Ohhh we had a lesson like this a few weeks ago...my instructor had my mare live in renvers for a good part of the lesson..then we went from shoulders out to shoulders in, repeat on this over and over again on 20mm circle, long side, you name it. He has had her under his wing for the past two weeks, making her work in renvers a good bit of the time.....

I got on her Friday for a lesson....HUGE improvement...no more slinging her shoulder inside, going crooked. She was truly on the outside aids the entire time.

[TheHorseProblem]

My trainer once had me ride circles as if they were octagons. Ride a few strides then move the horse's shoulders to the right, few strides, move shoulders, etc. This gave me the idea that a circle is moving the horse's shoulders, not pulling his head around to the inside. I really had to learn to use my knee to move his shoulders around, and hold the outside rein, instead of pulling the inside rein, because he'd jackknife.

[hiddenheavenfarm]

Armed with your helpful ideas, I am going in for another ride today. As I have created this problem over time, I don't expect miracles - one step at a time.

Many thanks!