Okai, so this weekend I have made up my mind... I am going to canter. I have cantered lots before, and confidently, on many other horses, and even galloped in a field. But I am a little scared to canter when I first get a new horse. From past experiences, I know that the longer I wait the greater my fear becomes. I just need an extra little boost of confidence to do it. I have had my 4 year old arabian (0.78% pinto) gelding for almost a month now. I have ridden him bareback in a halter, and he was still the most responsive horse I had ever ridden. We have a nice little corral with enough room to canter in, and even do about 8 full gallop strides across comfortably. It is made of 5' tall round pen panels. I think that this is where I want to canter. Do you have any tips on breaking past my fear and just doing it? Any tips to help calm my nerves? Thanks!
As long as the horse isn't running away w/ you cantering is an awesome gait, and the funnest in my opioion. You shouldnt be so nevrous if you've done it a lot before since you should be very used to it. Just make sure to sit back, and don't panic...horses are especially senstive to fears naturally, and if your nevrous he's going to be too.
When you feel nervous the horse will sense this and disasters can happen. For the first canter lesson on the horse, do it in a round pen and have someone lunge him with you on him. This way someone will still be in control if you don't feel confident to be on your own. Keep this up until you feel confident enough to go in the arena by yourself.
I would start in a round pen and have somone lunging you so theres somone watching!! and you can feel better about it and then after doing that try to do it on your own! Can you stay on bucks? Well if you can i just think of what could he do that could hert me if i can stay on his bucks that works with my horse and shes crazy she bucked a lot!
I am nervous to canter on a new horse so I think that it is normal but if you want to completely stop being nervous just think that you will stay on and that you won't fall off so just stay calm and be confident and just like somebody else said. Your horse can sense when you are nervous so STAY CALM!!!! Good luck! I hope I helped
Dont worry sometimes with a horse i get scared to canter we all do it but it sounds like your an experienced rider so you should have no trouble your horse sounds perfectt too!I m sure he will help ou if he is confident enough so just do it!
Just relax. If you are nervous, your horse will know. You have to just take a deep breath and ask for it. After you do it, it will be easy. All you will be doing is cantering. ;) Congrats on the new horse.
You know you sound like you know what your doing. All I can say is JUST DO IT> Once you do it you'll probably want to do it non stop, but if you don't do it you'll probably regret it for a while. I wouldn't be scared he sounds like a great horse. Just do it do do do do it. YOur in an arena which is probably the safest place to start and I think it will be amazing, just walk for a bit to calm down then trot for a bit till you know he's listening then canter. Also if your nervous he will do something lunge him around till he acts tired then do some circles and make sure he is really paying attention. Then canter he will be tired by then so he will be nice. I just did that with my horse first ride back from them being in pasture and he was a nut bird so I lunged him then did some exercise on him and by then he was so tired he acted like a dream. I was nervous too but then I remember how much I like doing it and then I'm Glad that i did it.