dog-shrink
336 posts
Aug 15, 2008
4:57 AM
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Today for the first time in 19 years I cantered!!!!!!!!!
I went to my trekking centre and was given a different horse. There was a group of about 8 people and we set off on the route.My horse's name was Ulysse and he seemed quite lively wanting to go and even nipping the horse in front. Alex the leader called for trot and off we went except Ulysse went into canter! It was slow and he kept behind the others and it wasn't for very long. I was so shocked when I realized I was cantering! I didn't have time to think about sitting back, moving my hips, all the things which I have been practising in my mind.It was fantastic! So smooth and steady. I felt fine. Alex slowed us to walk (everyone else was trotting) and called back to ask how I was. I said "I cantered!!" He replied "Yes Ulysse doesn't really trot he just canters!"
I thought we'd do another bit but we walked the rest of the way. I think there were a few beginners (hark at me!) in the group. I was disapppointed - I wanted to canter again!!
I saw Alex when we got back and just had to give him a big kiss!!! He said he didn't tell me before as I would have been afraid. Absolutely right. What a great guy. He knew I could do it and Ulysse was the one to do it on. I said "Can I do it again on Ulysse" So next week.
I know I haven't completely cracked it. I didn't get the canter - he did. But what a fantastic start. I also know it won't be as easy on faster or more difficult horses including my own.
But hell - I actually cantered!!!!
I am on such a high! Tomorrow my trainer is coming to see if Iroquois knows how to canter. This was planned before my success today. I've never seen him ridden at canter and don't know if he understands the cues. He can do it on the lunge. Anyway I will watch her and see. If I fancy a go I will. I won't be so scared now I've done it once. I'm not putting any pressure on myself, I can go back and canter Ulysse.
Sorry I'm rambling!!!!
The champagne is now chilling in the fridge for tonight.
It seems like a dream. I cannot believe I did it!
Thanks so much to all my pals here. Without you I would not be where I am now. Love to all of you.
Polly----------
Bitless - not witless!
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LC
101 posts
Aug 15, 2008
5:58 AM
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BRILLIANT!!
Congratulations :0)
That realy is an inspiration. Who will be next!?!
Well done and good luck for next time. (not that you need it!)
Bye for now
Megan
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ladyinblack792
240 posts
Aug 15, 2008
6:58 AM
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Congrats!! :) Keep smiling because that is a great accomplishment and be proud of yourself! :)
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RedsMom
923 posts
Aug 15, 2008
8:27 AM
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YAY, DOGSHRINK!!! Woo hoo! I'm so proud of you! Congratulations!!! :oD
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~RedsMomWear your brain bucket!!! :oD
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DixieMom
527 posts
Aug 15, 2008
10:48 AM
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Woooooooo Hoooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
----------Dixie Mom
"The art of riding:
Keeping a horse between you and the ground!"
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SnickersMom
166 posts
Aug 15, 2008
11:01 AM
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YAHOO!!! CONGRATULATIONS!! I know how you feel because I also "inadvertently cantered/loped/galloped" without meaning to or thinking about it...."my snake story in another post"....and when I got back I was so excited I immediately went into the arena to do it on purpose....a HUGE confidence builder. Snickersmom :)
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Meezer
152 posts
Aug 15, 2008
1:07 PM
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ALL RIGHT, DOG-SHRINK!!!!!!! That just made my day! I used to be terrified to canter, too (still am, somewhat, but now it's just a twinge), so much so I'd burst into tears if I had to canter for any reason. Can you imagine a grown woman crying because she's too scared to canter?! Well, yeah, maybe you can.... ; )I canter all over the place, now, though, so this is just the BEGINNING for you! It only gets better from here! My mom did the accidental canter thing when Dusty smelled a coyote on a trail ride and didn't like it much! (Yes, I know it was a coyote, the braindamaged people we were with actually went over the ridge and SAW the dang thing, trotting along with a group of about 8 buffalo). It was her first canter, too! I was on Rosie and she spooked but didn't bolt, and so did my uncle's horse, but then I saw Mom and Dusty go whizzing by me throught the sagebrush, and I yelled at her as she went by, "You okay, Ma?" "Oh, yes, just fine," she replied as she and Dusty galloped merrily away. LOL! You do realize, of course, you are going to want to canter MORE now, instead of less, right? ; ) Congratulations! And thanks for making me smile, today! Meezer
Last Edited on 15-Aug-2008 1:13 PM
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brewbren
290 posts
Aug 15, 2008
2:40 PM
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Bravo, hooray, congrats - enjoy that champagne!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Dawn777
12 posts
Aug 15, 2008
4:06 PM
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CONGRATS! -- your excitement put a smile on my face and brought me back to when I began lessons at age 36. I started with a dead broke Arab. Moved up to a Half-Arab. Then, up to the TB. It took me to the third lesson on this horse when my instructor finally said, "Dawn, let's get you past your fear". Bottom line, he was basically saying that I had to canter this horse and had no choice. But, I was so afraid of his speed and strength. Ends up, I had nothing to be afraid of. He was sooooooooooo smooth because of his long legs. Like you, I was on Cloud 9 the rest of the evening, grinning ear to ear. It must seem ridiculous to those fearless young riders who were also getting lessons. Congrats again:) I'm very happy for you. I have yet to canter my young boy myself since he came out of training. That will be a day to remember.
Dawn
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plum1
121 posts
Aug 15, 2008
5:53 PM
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Well done! I go back and forth with my cantering ability, sometimes its great, sometimes its all over the place. I find it has alot to do with my state of mind! after 19 years, that's great. :)
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scooter2
105 posts
Aug 16, 2008
3:14 AM
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Congrats! Now you know you can move on past that fear. Wonder if that was on purpose that you were given the horse that doesn't trot?? Er about that coyote smell - I'd bet the horse smelled the buffalo. I know a deer odor will make mine pay attention and I can imagine how wild a buffalo smells.
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AlbuquerqueTrisha
6 posts
Aug 16, 2008
7:03 AM
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Yes, cantering can be so exhilarating! To feel that power underneath you is awesome. I feel safer cantering up hill than on a "straightaway". My horses are gaited so I do "gait work" alot. My Missouri Foxtrotter has a rocking horse canter that is great. My Spotted Saddle Horse's canter is not as smooth. Plus, my SSH bolted with me one time when we were in the mountains so I still have that lingering fear. Forget the canter...we were GALLOPING...I knew he would finally stop (which he did). But a "controlled" canter can be so much fun! Good job!! Keep up the good work!
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dog-shrink
337 posts
Aug 17, 2008
2:57 AM
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Thanks guys for all the lovely comments!
My trainer came and she watched me lunge Iroquois into canter, he was half-hearted about it. What a difference when she took over! Much more forceful. She told me I have to be square on to him, look him in the eye and ask with a big bold body language. When I slow him down I move my eyes to his shoulder. She suggests I practice that a lot and when he's responding to go on to being ridden on the lunge. Alternatively she suggests I go out on a ride and give it a go up a slight hill.
So she got on and yes he canters! Very nicely she says. She even got him to canter away from Emerique. That was great as it shows it can be done.She thinks he has been cantered before but you have to give him a push on and be very animated.
So I didn't do it on him yet. But I feel like after some work I can. I'll keep practising on Ulysse to get more confident and take it bit by bit with Iro.
Here's to more cantering!!!!
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Bitless - not witless!
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Izabella
143 posts
Aug 17, 2008
9:06 PM
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YAY! Congratulations!!! Its such a great achievement!!! I'm so psyched for you! And its perfect to be able to work on it on a good solid horse that you feel good with and then transfer that to your horse! Awesome!! Enjoy! I love that sound of the wind whistling in my ears, feels like flying... I'm hoping Tuesday to do it again myself! :) Good luck! Celebrate!
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dog-shrink
349 posts
Aug 25, 2008
1:06 AM
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So we had the champagne (it's really quite cheap here in France! I did think of you all!!!!)
On the trail last week I didn't get to canter as there was a little girl in the group who hadn't ridden before so the trot was very slow and Ulysse stayed in trot. I was so disappointed!!! I wanted to canter! I'd built myself up for it, know what I mean?
Anyway 2 days later my friend Pam came round and I was determined to try to canter Iroquois. We put Emerique up the slope and I firstly walked Iro up to him and back as I could feel he was on his toes. Then I trotted him up. Then I trotted and asked for canter - nope. Tried agin and yes he did it!!!!
It was only a few strides. I did it twice more. Again not very far. I then gave Pam a go. Obviously Iroquois had learned the exercise as he did it without being asked. She got a longer canter than me. I was concerned that he was just going into it so asked her to walk him up and back again which he did.
So yesterday I went out with Howard for a ride. Both horses were quite nervy. Iro was snorting a lot and I didn't feel relaxed. I had thought of maybe trying to canter up a field but chickened out. Emerique refused to walk over a newly ploughed bit of land (scary brown stuff earth)but Iro went over it no problem. We came back to the bit where I cantered before and I gave it a go. I only got 2 strides and then 2 attempts with no canter. I was SO disappointed.
Anyway it wasn't a fear issue but an Iroquois issue which I will work on. Maybe I should try it before he does any other work? He is basically very lazy and hasn't been ridden in canter whilst we've had him (3 years) so I guess it will take time to get him in the mind set?
Any advice guys? I shouldn't ask for it heading back home should I?
Nevertheless I am very proud of myself. I now can't wait to give it a go again!
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Bitless - not witless!
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Determined
314 posts
Aug 25, 2008
7:19 AM
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Hey - it's a start - and a good one at that! My advice is to lay off of cantering while heading home. It is very easy for them to get it in their heads that home = fast. I would keep doing it heading away from home, even though that means you'll have to work harder to get it. Good job!
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