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Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

The tack room

Cantered in a field for first time no RL friends get my excitement

17 replies

Lasvegas · 02/02/2013 19:28

Have no one in RL to share my happiness with. After lessons and equestrian holidays I started loaning a pony a few months ago. It is so amazing and better than a School horse as responsive to the slightest leg aid. With school horses it was kick kick tap tap for the whole time. I would get a few strides of canter then lost its. Now on my lovely loan have been hacking out. Cantered on bridle paths which was great and today we cantered through a field. It was excilerating just having the space in front, not having to worry about tree roots and ducking for branches. One of the best experiences of my life.

OP posts:

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Mitchy1nge · 02/02/2013 19:52

think I vaguely remember the feeling

Lasvegas · 02/02/2013 20:01

Mitchy are you not riding anymore because of family commitments or injury?

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Mitchy1nge · 02/02/2013 20:07

just waiting for a (sprained?) wrist to get better really, but before that the weather, before that lameness - there always seems to be some obstacle

(it's only been a few weeks )

I am very pleased for you though!

Eve · 02/02/2013 20:10

Whoooo!

Exhilarating isn't it!!

Lasvegas · 02/02/2013 20:13

Eve better than sex!

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Lasvegas · 02/02/2013 20:17

Mitchy given your recent difficulties I will savour the moment even more. One never knows what is around the corner.

How can I keep my seat stuck to the saddle in canter ? i feltsecure but was bouncing a bit I felt. Is it a good idea to lean back a bit?

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Mitchy1nge · 02/02/2013 20:26

don't ask me, I'm a sort of 'light seat' hacker because horse is a bit jangly although this does tend to encourage next gear up

am sure you are supposed to sit up straight and imagine your bottom is polishing the saddle somehow

Mitchy1nge · 02/02/2013 20:28

but better than sex? No, really?

Lasvegas · 02/02/2013 20:33

Mitchum it was a big field so canter laststed for a good while!

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Mitchy1nge · 02/02/2013 20:36

ok

I do sort of know what you mean, but I hope I never have to choose between my gallop home and sex because I really like both!

JumpingJackSprat · 02/02/2013 21:08

theres no better feeling in riding i dont think!

Eve · 03/02/2013 19:27

As its not posh dressage canter, get bum out box the saddle and push down into the stirrups.

Don't worry about polishing saddle, look at how the eventers ride between jumps.

ThatVikRinA22 · 03/02/2013 20:33

i get it!

i did my first canter today! my wonderful instructor would not allow me to progress until my seat was right! it wasnt perfect but there was no boinging!

im very much a beginner but i have a truly wonderful instructor, her school ponies arent dead to the leg and very responsive, just a squeeze is all it takes and i can go from walk to canter with her help!

today - i look like
my first canter!!

ThatVikRinA22 · 03/02/2013 20:36

las - my instructor wont let us canter unless we dont bounce as its bad for the horse....she told me to actually lean forward rather than back - the way she got me secure in the seat was to do sitting trot with my left hand on the back of the saddle and the right hand on the strap at the front of the saddle....all on a lunge so i dont have to worry about anything but technique.

ive been learning since October - a lesson a week but only today did i manage my first canter because she felt i was ready to try it and it worked.

ThatVikRinA22 · 03/02/2013 20:39

(when i say it worked i meant no bouncing! first ever canter but she has worked tirelessly to get my seat right first!)

yy to polishing the seat with your bum...

i tried 3 different schools before i found my gem of an instructor!

50BalesOfHay · 04/02/2013 15:14

Fantastic news Vicar, and well done Lasvegas To stop bouncing in canter it can help to think 'tummy out' to help you sit down well.

I'm gagging for a canter across the fields, but haven't ridden for ages as the mud in my gateway is so bad (knee deep on me) that I just can't get her out of the field, and DH's horse is still having chemo. May have to pluck up the courage to get on GD's nutter

SlowlorisIncognito · 09/02/2013 21:51

Totally sharing your excitement, I had a lovely fast canter hacking out today, only the second one of the year due to bridle paths being wet and rubbish.

I agree with the poster who said you should really be using a light seat when cantering out of the school. You tube some cross country and see how they do it. It's not as exagerated as a jumping position, but you want your weight out of the saddle, and leaning forward slightly for ballance. This makes it easier for your horse to use their back, and you won't be intefering with their movement. You can practise this in the school as well.

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