I'm convinced canter transitions are one of the most difficult and most under-rated things we do as horse/rider teams. Especially the trot to canter transition!
Before we can expect our horse to understand our aid for the canter, we need to have a crystal clear idea of what exactly our aid for canter is. Pretend you were teaching an absolute beginner how to cue the canter. How would you explain it? If you can't explain it with the level of detail so that a total beginner would understand, I bet your horse isn't 100% clear on what you're asking either!
Everyone cues the canter slightly differently - and that's ok! However you decide to ask for canter, your aids must be CONSISTENT and your process must be CLEAR.
How I Cue the Canter
Let's start from a balanced posting trot.
I like to ask for the canter on a bending line - a circle, a corner, or on the "short" side of the ring.
When you're ready to ask for canter, SIT the trot. Just for a few strides. Sitting the trot helps let your horse know something is coming. It also allows you to use your seat for the transition... but don't overthink that part.
In the sitting trot, I place my inside leg ON the horse's side at the girth. I'm using the "fat" or "muscly" part of my calf. And I'm just setting it on him in a firm, yet relaxed way... just like placing your hand on your thigh... it's definitely there, but still very relaxed.
I then move my outside leg back, from being at the girth to a few inches behind the girth. I move my leg in a "sweeping" motion. I'm not kicking, pushing, or gripping. My weight is heavy in my stirrups and my outside leg sweeps back like a broom on the floor.
Ideally, my horse strikes off in canter with the sweep of my outside leg. He'll stay in canter until my outside leg slides back forward to the girth, the "trot" position. No reins required! I'll start posting on the very first trot step. That way I'm on the correct diagonal every time!
Using My Voice
I LOVE using voice commands to help my horses understand what I'm asking.
"But Laura, you can't use your voice in dressage!"
Yes, you're totally right. But when I'm training at home, I want to use every tool available to help my horse understand what I want so they can be successful and build confidence. I'll phase out the voice later...
My voice cue?
Saying "And Gallop" but suuuuppppeeerrr long and extra cheesy!
"Aaaannnddd Gaallll-Up!"
Here's what I do:
When I'm ready to ask for canter, I sit the trot and place my inside leg on at the girth. This is when I say "And"
As a swing my outside leg back, I'll say "Gallup." I draw it out, so the word matches the swing of my leg.
Canter Transitions on the Ground
I like to teach the canter transitions on the lunge line. This is where having a voice command is incredibly helpful!
I'll teach my horse the voice command on the lunge line. Then, when I'm asking for canter in the saddle, my horse already knows what the voice command means. He just needs to learn how to connect my leg cue to what he already knows!
Developing Your Canter Aid
Decide what you'd like your canter aid to be.
Are you a dressage rider? Will you eventually need really precise flying changes one day? Make sure your canter aid now lends itself to that.
Are you a western rider? Are you allowed to use a "kissing" sound in competiton? Are you allowed to trot a little into the canter? And maybe your flying changes don't have to be all that precise? Your canter aid can support that.
Find a vocal cue that supports your canter aid so you can practice with your horse on the ground on the lunge line. Do you want to use the "kissing" sound that's popular in western disciplines? Or perhaps, "And Canter" or "And Gallop" like many european riders do...
Decide something and stick with it!
Practice on the ground until your horse REALLY understands. Then try it under saddle!
Give this a try and see if you're able to clean up your canter transitions!
If you'd like some guidance in developing your horse's canter transition's, let's talk!
I have an incredible Virtual Training Program and I'd love to help you.
If you're in the Los Angeles area, I'm happy to come to you and work directly with you and your horse.
How do you ask for canter?
Tell me in the comments!
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