Clear aids create accurate and calm canter transitions. Make sure you really understand your aids.
1. Sitting trot tells your horse that a transition is coming.
2. Asking in a corner encourages your horse to strike off with the correct lead.
3. Your outside leg slides back to tell him which hind leg to start with.
4. Your rein contact should stay firm to make sure he doesn’t rush.
5. Your inside leg tells him when to strike off.
Try this.
Ride a 20m circle at one end in sitting trot.
Aim to ask for canter at A or C.
Put your outside leg back three strides before the marker but keep hold of your reins so he doesn’t canter.
At the marker give him a nudge with your inside leg. Now he should canter. If he doesn’t back up your leg with your whip.
Practice makes perfect and transitions ridden in this way mean that you are more in control of when and where your horse canters.
N.B. Many a crooked canter is caused by a crooked rider! Don’t forget to move your outside leg forward once you’re in canter.
