This message is from: "Karen McCarthy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
"...I am also very aware of their balance and do my best to keep my body
balance aligned with theirs. It's also important to keep your weight more
over their hindquarters, as any tripping they might do can end up with the
horse doing a somersault in the blink of an eye..."
Beth
Oh yeah Beth! somersaults are one of the reasons I tend to be kinda
conservative! :-]
And yes, the riders body (incorrect) position is one if the biggest causes
for the frustrations of trying to "get" a canter and a correct lead. Pushing
and rushing a horse that is not truly forward,leaning forward (trying to
"help" the horse into the canter), and looking over the shoulder to see if
the correct lead was taken will all contribute to problems trying to achieve
a canter.
If you are able to ride out with a buddy on a more experienced horse, ask
them to go up into a canter if and when the time is right, and ask your
inexperienced horse as well. Try to take atvantage of the "see monkey/do
monkey" dynamic. If you can stay 'in the middle', and support & maintain
forward momentum, you shall succeed.
Enjoy the ride,
Karen
PS: be prepared for a buck now and then, and don't freak out, but do keep
their head from getting to low and keep asking for forward...
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