Canter, Walk, Rinse, Repeat

How many of you out there are pros at picking up the canter from the walk? How many of you can calmly walk straight out of a canter?

Probably a lot of you.

Guinness and I have never been ones to transition easily. Quality gaits? Sure! But we have to work into them. The transitions have always been a source of contention. See, he's lazy and I'm impatient. These two do not tend to work together. 

But Tuesday, we had a breakthrough. Despite both Guinness and I's moodiness and laziness, we pulled something magical out of our bag of tricks -- a canter/walk/canter transition worthy of scoring at least a 7. It was magical. It was astounding. Best of all? I think it's possible to replicate it.

So, what did we do differently?

Basically, I sat down and thought about what drives a canter --> walk transition. Collection, dur. The hind legs have to step under the horse to support his weight while he steps down into a walk. That's the only way to keep the transition light and balanced. Obviously, the amount of strength the horse must have to do this properly is ridiculous. 

Luckily, I think we're doing okay on strength.

Collection at the canter comes easily to us, but I think I haven't done a good job of properly collecting Guinness before asking for the walk. Nor have I done a good job of asking him to stay collected through the transition. I think I've been dropping him, and blocking him with my seatbones. In short, my stopping aids were clunky and my going aids weren't there.

Okay, easily fixed.

I started by cantering 10 meter circles until I felt Guinness was really rocking back and using himself well. Then, as we approached the wall on the circle, I half halted him even harder than I had been to ask for the collection. As his front legs went forward, I put on my leg aid and simultaneously asked for the downward transition with my seat.

Boom. Canter -- > walk. Balanced, lovely, happy. I can't wait to school them a little bit again tonight.

The solution was so simple, but I just couldn't see it while in the saddle. This is why I need a trainer. Is she back from Florida yet?
March Conformation Photo.
"Guys. I'm fat..."

Comments

  1. I haven't even schooled walk-canter because Fiction just isn't there yet :( However his canter-trot and canter-walk transitions are soft and spot on. Go figure.

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    1. Our canter/collected trot transitions are amazing. I've heard those are supposed to be hard.

      Horses are strange, strange individuals. :)

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  2. Your boy looks amazing! We play around with walk canter transitions - Riva seems to think this is fun - but we are miles away from schooling them.

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    1. Riva has such a great attitude. :) I bet you guys are closer than you think!

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  3. I think that is one of the most difficult transitions for people to "get." My biggest problem with those was not keeping the forward momentum through the transition. So I think canter ... canter ... walk ON. Otherwise, my horse tends to shut down a bit right after the transition. Also - I am sure you know this - but eventually you will need to be able to do them on a straight line for your tests. :) Try to get away from using circles and walls when you can! (I used them too in the beginning). Great work!

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    1. Wow! Great comment!

      I totally sympathize with lack of forward momentum. I have a hard time remembering to keep my legs on during downward transitions. I know I need to, but for a split second I forget. Ack!

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  4. Those breakthroughs are fabulous aren't they. I remember working so hard to get the concept it felt impossible. Now they are the simplest thing in the world.

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    1. I love it when that transformation happens! Hopefully we can keep them easy ...

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  5. Ramone is so gangbusters walk to canter. It's the trot to canter that I have completely neglected. Trying to fix that shit now.

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    1. For some reason the phrase "Ramone is so gangbusters" cracked me up so hard. :)

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  6. Sounds like a GREAT ride. I love it when everything clicks like that!

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