Gonna Lope for the First Time

[adoptedbyachicken]

Pat has a great description there!

I like the steady, not slow, but not full 'going somewhere' trot for starting the transition to canter. By then the horse has learned 2 things, that a squeeze with my legs asks for the walk or trot to be faster and that a 'lift' with my legs asks for the transition from the walk to the trot. Imagine your legs getting longer then wrapping your horse and lifting upward. For the transition to the canter take the outside leg and imagine it longer still than the inside and put it back slightly so your lifting the horse toward that front which will be your lead leg. With this then your lift to the trot and your lift to the canter are separate. Some horses do find it very easy to walk-canter transition and will pick it up instantly, some trot a stride at first.

 

[sterlng&sierra]

I would get him used to cantering on the longe with a kissing noise, which you can then carry over into the saddle.

Be sure you are not leaning forward, even the tiniest bit, and that you are looking far out into the distance. If you lean forward and look down, the horse gets tipped onto the forehand, and will usually speed up, not lope/canter.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

I've been a little timid to canter since I've started riding all new horses (After not riding steadily for three or so years!) but something that really helped me to find a good position in all gaits, but mostly the canter was to push away from the saddle horn. Instead of grabbing it and pulling closer to the horn, grab it and push back. This pushes you into the saddle and really helps steady your body so you can move with the horse. I didn't believe it would work until I tried it! Someone on here suggested it to me.

 

[lovinglife]

When I work with green horses I let them get into a nice big trot then just keep pushing them on, eventually they will break into a lope, it will be a big stride because they have not learned to collect yet. As they get used to loping under saddle it won't take long to start the collecting and loping on cue.