The canter is a 3 beat movement. The well balanced elevated canter is a beautiful pace to ride. As a rider you feel elegant skilled and wow ‘look at me’.
This is how it should feel.
A rider without balance or stability will interfere with a horses natural rhythm. The horse will tighten his back,raise his head and lean on the bit and “resist”.
To ride the canter well. A rider needs good lower back flexibility, upper body strength, good endurance and strong deep core stability. The movement of the body is a counter movement to the pelvis. This is why the lower back has to be very flexible and strong.
The hamstrings need to keep the impulsion as the hands hold a gentle contact. The riders pelvis tilts forwards and backwards as the horse rounds his back and then stretches into the next stride.
A rider can learn this movement out of the saddle by training movement and stability on a physio ball. The function of core stability at the canter can be broken into stages and trained. A good rider needs a flexible lower back with movement through the pelvis and hips. The upper back is best kept upright, this takes good muscle strength and endurance from the holding muscles. The holding muscles are the postural muscles, in this case the back and upper back muscles.
A pilates program that is specific to the horse rider is the best way to learn how to ride the canter.
How to canter balanced on a horse, is a simple process of stretching the lumbar joints and the pelvis. The lower back muscles need to control the movement and the deep core muscle stabilize the body. If the seat is allowed to follow the horses back then the canter is easy and a pleasure to ride. If the rider tilts forward and bounces in the saddle the horse will tighten his back and cause a jarring to save himself from pain.
A little exercise I recommend as part of my total program is as follows.
Be safe in an arena.
Take your stirrups away go into the canter hold the reins out wide and lift then high up. Lean back a little and let your seat go with the horse. Most likely your horse will take this as a n aid to go faster. If your legs are just wrapped around for support the horse should not go faster. Practice this exercise little and often. It is a great way to learn how to canter with balance.
This and many more tips are in my Applied Posture Riding program.
If you suffer back pain and need Do you need help with the acquisition of a guardian.
If you are stoop, and then look the purchase of the shoulder posture.
Tags: Canter