Canter Seat: How to Sit the Canter

Canter with confidence - download the FREE Guide:
www.amelianewcombdressage.com...
The canter can be a difficult gait to adjust to, this video shows you how to sit the canter properly to maximise comfort for both you AND your horse!
(FULL DESCRIPTION BELOW LINKS)
#Canter #CanterSeat #HowToSitTheCanter
Do you love my content? I’d love if you left me a review on google!
g.page/r/CYIGmCINXFOQEAo/review
Sign up to my FREE Mini Course on Confidence!
ameliasdressageacademy.com/co...
Sign up for my e-mail list:
www.ameliasdressageacademy.co...
Join Amelia’s Dressage Club on Facebook:
/ ameliasdressageclub
Visit my website:
www.amelianewcombdressage.com
Check us out on Patreon:
/ amelianewcombdressage
Facebook:
/ amelia.newcomb.7
Instagram:
@amelianewcombdressage
/ amelianewcombdressage
Check out our swag shop:
www.wbembinc.com/ada
Rider Position Mini Course:
www.ameliasdressageacademy.co...
Rider assessment quiz:
www.ameliasdressageacademy.co...
For most riders, it can be very difficult to figure out how to follow the motion of the horses’ canter. At first all riders bounce in the saddle, lean too far forward, sit too far back, move too much, or pump with their shoulders. It can be a trying experience to figure out just the right body motion to stay with your horse in the canter.
Whereas the trot is a two beat gait, the canter is a 3 beat gait. The canter has a much more circular motion than the trot, much like a rocking horse. In order to properly sit the canter strides, your hip and low back must move. As the horse is cantering, your hip angle must open and close. Your shoulders stay relatively still and your hips must move from the back to the front of the saddle in every stride.
Your bum makes a “swish” in the saddle from the back to the front of the saddle every stride. Someone once told me to imagine spreading peanut butter on bread where your bum is the knife and the saddle is the bread. You have to connect the leather of your breeches into the saddle and move exactly with the horses’ motion.
Good luck and happy riding!!!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

What has helped YOU find your canter seat???

[@heidismutti]

Letting go with the thigh and relaxing the butt!

[@cabau3876]

You should only use stirrups when you can keep your seat without stirrups

[@debrajabs9523]

Riding bareback legs loose and hanging on a three point seat. Then is the saddle with no stirrups. I think this helps to allow your hip flexors, the psoas muscles, to stretch. You cannot have an independent seat with tight hip flexors. Also standi g on the floor while doing toe point figure 8s then flat foot figure 8s. I do not hang on to anything to keep my balance. You need to determine if you tend to put more weight on leg than the other while standing. Cross country ski machines will let know this in a huge hurry. The machine strengthens your ankles. If you bear weight unevenly skiing that leg will get tired faster. This uneven distribution will prevent from having a good seat at any gate but especially the canter.

[@gkarenstratton]

Watching the "dudes" at a "dude ranch" at age 18. I noticed what they did to be so incredibly relaxed...Position 1:55 on this video! I was a scared, bouncing mess who LOVED HORSES since age 5 but never got to ride them. Something was very wrong, and with these beloved, wonderful creatures, I felt I would never be able to LET GO of the saddle pommel. When I tried that "swishing and " rocking" action, it all fell unto place ... It was incredible how I wasnt bouncing like a maniac anymore. My poor horses before then!!!!!!! Thank you for this very gentle demonstration ... your words are all just right.

[@tlife631]

How come I lose my stirrups in canter?

[@luvrr9888]

I was trying to watch the video and the ad was: Are you losing confidence in your riding? Me: 👁👄👁

[@kateflerlage8553]

LMAO PLEASE. the fact I know exactly which ad you're talking about, I get those ads all the time and I feel so targeted. 😭

[@luvrr9888]

@@kateflerlage8553 IKR

[@hollymitchell277]

Can we acknowledge how beautiful that horse is so beautiful ;o

[@rolfgaming3364]

Ikr omg it’s so cute

[@nmiltner]

It is really Beautiful! The tail is amazing

[@mohamedmokhtar6310]

All of them are

[@charlottex232]

Ik

[@agfp2000]

Horse is beautiful and seat is perfect

[@lokmersnow]

I used to be very stiff in canter because I was scared and what actually helped me was relaxing my shoulders, which also relaxed my hips. Still need to practice but at least now I'm not being thrown off the saddle by hard bouncing!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thanks for sharing! So glad you figured this out!

[@kristenrice6862]

Same! I still sometimes feel my shoulders go all the way up into a shrug because I was scared. The more relaxed i got the less scarier it was. ☺💛

[@7thMack]

Ack! That’s the worst right? I get nervous sometimes on particularly athletic horses that I’m unfamiliar with, and it messes everything up. I have to tell myself to breathe occasionally. Ha

[@AdvancedPhysio-RideAdvanced]

I have found this in a few riders! Sometimes the tension in your seat comes from the shoulders!

[@gabby1441]

That’s what happened to me

[@JackOllie4]

When I first took up horseback riding in the late 1980's, the internet did not exist yet. I think the trainer I was with (a male, and an impatient one, at that) was trying to describe to me what to do, but for whatever reason, I never came to understand it. Soon after that I gave up and quit, because, to put it bluntly, my lady parts were being beaten to a pulp and it freakin' hurt. Fast forward all these years, I want to return to riding soon, and all these internet videos give me hope that I will definitely be able to do better this time. There is so much online now to help one visualize what they need to do with their body, and how the horse's body should look, too. Thanks, Amelia!

[@victoriaolender6289]

Great demo! For people who have stiff hips and thighs, doing lots on hip flexor and leg stretches before riding helps. That way you can ensure that you actually have the flexibility to move with the horse. Cantering also takes a lot of core strength to be able to keep a still upper body but keeping the hips loose. Improvements to your riding happen both in and out of the saddle!

[@jw-mc2mn]

does anyone else have their own horse and is still unconfident in everything under the sun? but that's on anxiety lol

[@dougbarr3182]

Have watched a lot of training videos and Amelia by far is the very best trainer in her ability to break down and explain the concept she is trying to teach.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

That is so kind of you to say Doug! thank you

[@vero7948]

If u r taking riding lessons and u still have a problem how to sit the canter, ask if u can try it without the stirrups, it helped me :)

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Great tip!

[@alexkennedy1820]

That sounds so scary. I have ridden without stirrups and I was terrified that my horse would trot. I cantered today with stirrups and it was fine. Perhaps one day I will do this.

[@danielledewitt1]

multifandom noodle Riding with no stirrups great advice, if you don’t want to stay on,ifyou want to come flying off the horse.

[@jenniferandbrad3636]

@@danielledewitt1 Exactly, it would be one corner and I little buck and I'm done

[@hannaaa232]

@@alexkennedy1820 It's not scary! It's fun AND easy once you get it :)

[@eirinarmstrong2983]

Next week i will be cantering. So I will definitely try this and it's looks very very helpful so o will keep this in mind x

[@foxhunt999]

This is a fabulous video for us visual learners! I personally struggle with tightness in my hips (along with a litany of other woes), so this video is a great reminder to loosen the hips to allow me to follow my horse's back. THANK YOU!

[@lynnes11]

As a kid I had a teacher tell me to make sort of a "scooping" motion with my pelvis...not pushing, and as an adult rider I still think about this, it helps me keep movement in my hips. UPDATE: I'm obsessed now with "swishing" and pushing heels down on the downbeat--these two tips of yours have really helped. "Swishing" slightly from back to front really helps. Thanks for these two great tips!

[@reginadragonpaw]

The first time I cantered I almost fell off because I was too stiff I bounced around and I lost my stirrups and started to slide off the saddle and my instructor was just waiting for me to fall because she didn’t think id be able to save myself from the fall but I did and I’ve been struggling to canter ever since hopefully once I can go back to the stables my canter is better but I am weeks out of practice 😔😔

[@x.izzy.b.x6111]

nobody is perfect on their first try. you will get there i promise. i cantered for the first time in 4 years the other day. i didnt think i would but keep believing because you will get there 🥰

[@marianneburden8356]

This happened to me to!

[@eleanormoran6223]

omg sameee and the horse just trampled me and dragged me around the arena😭

[@lilly7427]

I had kinda the same thing happen but over quarantine I literally cantered all over the house. Then when I came back my instructor said I looked great! 🙃 Just keep trying! 😉🙃😁

[@zoekavanagh6364]

First time I cantered, I was supposed to be doing a trot jump, horse started cantering,I wasn’t ready, fell off, hit against the jumping poles, got knocked out and a concussion! :) very good for my first try lol

[@ashleyswartley3859]

Today was my first time cantering! And this video helped me alot , so thank you.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Yay for cantering!! Good job!!

[@janetclements8988]

I like your sound effect of “swish”. I love the slow motion to see what you mean. I will remember to keep my shoulders and hands quiet. And I love the way you say The End. It reminds me of my school students when they are finished their presentations!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

thank you!

[@kirstenandrews7605]

The first time I cantered was an accident, the horse went over a little cross rail at the trot and then picked up into a canter which I had NO IDEA how to ride. Long story short I ended up falling, with my foot super far into the surrounding after I lost my balance, so I went for a little ride on the ground 😬. I haven’t legitimately tried to canter but now I’m super nervous to do so, and this really helped.

[@kilaniobrien2933]

My only question is why the fuck were you jumping if you had never cantered-?

[@mutiararosalinajewondari6320]

Really helps me to understand how I should canter next time. Can’t wait for my next lesson to do this

[@lynking0419]

Hello. I'm a horseback rider in Korea, too. I think your explanation is really right. Thank you.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Wow! Korea how cool!!

[@kathryndurham9148]

Jayden. I lived in Korea for 6 years. Where do you ride? I'd like your suggestion. I'm thinking of scheduling a reunion trip. I rode with friends at Changwon College. Thank you!

[@lynking0419]

@@kathryndurham9148 Kathryn~~ nice to talk you. I live in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do. My riding ground is the Singal Racing Club in Yongin. By the way, isn't Yong-in and Changwon too far? My email address is [e-mail] If you can come, We can ride a horse together

[@kathryndurham9148]

@@lynking0419 Yes, it is...far away. I actually lived all over Korea, including Yongin during my six years, there. That was my last place, from where I departed for my final return home. I'll write you, soon. Look up the Future Leadership Center in your area. That's where I worked in Yongin. At a corporate training center on a residential golf course. Also, I worked somewhere in the financial district, near the KOSDAQ and the 63 Building. Isn't that Yongin, too? Thanks for writing me back. And thank you again, Amelia!

[@elizabethgillen3660]

@@kathryndurham9148 that was such a wholesome encounter

[@kaitlynlucas8379]

The shoulder thing I call "rowing a boat". I love that she is like, uh I can't even do it let me try, its kinda like this?? But now I have a new thing to keep in the front of my mind for my ride today. Love these videos that break down just 1 part and give easy to remember tips to be more proactive in my riding.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Rowing a boat 😂😂😂. Love it! I will have to use that imagery!

[@KateTrojan]

Ohhhh I'm so guilty of the shoulder-thrusting at the moment too... *facepalm*

[@poppyseeds5231]

Same😂

[@lorixoxo76]

all the time! consequences of believing you need to give it your all for a lazy horse to canter

[@soleilequestrian8856]

Me too!

[@kmiklaszewski]

So many riders close or flex the angels of their hips and elbows by going forward and back with their shoulders and it creates a false sense or look of the rider having an elastic contact with their hands and forearms going with the lovey of the horse’s head and neck when it actually is interfering with the natural movement of the horse. It’s definitely the instructor’s job to educate themselves and the rider to the biomechanics of the horse and rider in all the gaits. It’s so important. Great topics and video.

[@SilverPonyProductions]

This is so me and a habit I'm trying to break. I just slow-mo'd through a video of me cantering and compared my motion to Amelia's....I'm the shoulder variety :(

[@heidihkim2538]

I was struggle as a beginner with canter but this video helps me to understand and be ready If I do not understand correctly, the horse would not know what she should do. I have a bit of confidence now.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Hi Heidi, Glad it was helpful! I just did a webinar on Rider Position! You can watch it here: www.amelianewcombdressage.com/free-rider-position-webinar Amelia

[@chloebaxter6804]

this was so helpful!! i've definitely be known to pump my shoulders!!

[@ajhorse2008]

This really helped. I love the explanation of the swish in the seat.

[@kristinkester9392]

I like your explanation and demonstration as to how to sit the canter. I remember when I was a kid my instructor always told me to pretend I was in a rocking chair, but then I can see how that would involve my shoulders and upper body. Your seat is perfect!

[@kathrynryches6660]

Thanks, good visual on the effects of relaxing yourself to get a better seat. The auto generated captions were funny though, it keep saying 'canner' and 'caner'. Thanks again!

[@Morgan_Sparrowriver]

I nearly fell off my horse because he cantered when I wasn’t ready. (This was right after my first lesson) I couldn’t get him to stop when he was trotting and I didn’t try to post so I guess he got the idea that we were going to canter. Now I’m way better at cantering than I was and this video definitely helped me!

[@sofiad3821]

This came at the perfect time. Thank you!

[@95lisaren]

This is just what I needed to watch!!! The slow motion is a great visual I will hold on to. Now I understand why my horse keeps transitioning down to the trot.

[@angelcassista9240]

This is great, but it misses what was the biggest Ah-hah moment in my riding. For both my dressage horses (a Saddlebred and a PRE), the most important phase of the canter stride is the air phase. Riding lightly and thinking upward and forward in the air phase of the stride helped both of them balance. It also gave them more time to rearrange their feet for the next footfall, and that has given me my flying change.

[@N12S10S]

How would you explain the air phase?

[@francischoo1812]

This is exactly what I am trying to figure out. Thanks for the demo.

[@madrshansak]

Thank you 🙏.. in fact this is the best video can show me what the problems with my shoulders when I was canter .. thanks for your help

[@mary-annebourke4907]

Excellent video and instruction! Especially the swish! Exactly what needs to be done!!! Both of you so calm and relaxed.

[@user4230xjyZ]

My horse cantered and galloped when I was doing trot, I just started 2 weeks ago and now I can canter without breaking any bones. Thank you dear horse for almost killing me but didn’t-

[@carahennnessy4004]

I remember watching this like 4 months ago when i wasnt good at cantering, now im more then confident cantering, this video really helped me!!

[@Peppa25]

Your vdos and tips are so CLEAR, especially the slow-mo parts. Really appreciate it. And thank you for your awesome channel! 😊

[@SteffieB]

You make it look so easy, Amelia! I am getting over anxiety in the canter the more I can control it. My current trainer has me working on long legs, thinking about 20# weights on my feet. Relaxing the hips is a long work in progress. But I think it really helps to relax the gluts, too, to avoid the bounce. Next will be the ever-elusive contact.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Yay!! Good for you!!

[@sofieharbo]

I'm doing the exact same thing with my trainer. Every time I'm going for sitting trot or canter, my stirrups suddenly gets too long 😅

[@7thMack]

Lovely rider. Stunning horse. Good video!. This will be me again some day soon! I got so lucky when I found my little mare. She’s got gaits that make it easy to concentrate on being a better rider.

[@featheredfoothillfarm]

Your videos are the best. You have the best way of explaining what no other teachers have been able to.

[@FallDogBones]

This popped up in my recommended the day I was going to ask my trainer to work on my canter seat equitation

[@caprihorse.studios5054]

i just had my first canter, and obviously i was flying out of the saddle. But now i feel confident on how to sit the canter, thanks to you!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Glad it helped! You can do it!

[@junegms4719]

How are you doing now?? Any improvement? My teacher is just a buddy of mine, so I haven’t gotten any tips other than to keep my heels down, my back straight and my arms down, I’m not cantering for another week, but I’m so excited to go at it with a different thought process because currently I’m just bouncing out of the seat (holding onto the saddle instead of the reins too because I’m scared lol) did this actually help??

[@uhvivien2841]

OMG! This helped me so much! My horse is finally listening to me when cantering, to be honest it’s actually a bit more easier than I do. Thank you so much! I’m doing this always!❤️🐴

[@m.h.1159]

Wow this video was so helpful. I cantered for the second time yesterday and looking at the video of myself I did almost everything wrong that you showed on this video.😅

[@patriciamasters4411]

I absolutely love your video’s. I am a dressage rider but not an instructor. My 11 yr old granddaughter is taking lessons every time she struggles in an area I am able to come here find one of your videos to help her. Out of all the books, video’s you are one of the best illustrators. I love watching your clips as well makes me a better rider!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

That is awesome! Thank you for sharing, I started making videos to help riders just like you and it makes my heart swell to know that you're sharing them with your granddaughter :)

[@kimberlybiczis7340]

Very nice and clear,excellent demonstration. Thank you😊

[@jamesormes7991]

Hi Amelia, Your video helped me a lot, had my fourth riding lesson today and was able to canter successfully thanks to your guidance. + your video was uploaded on my birthday :) Many Thanks, James - UK

[@susanohalloran585]

It was a great video to watch! Very informational regarding the canter technique and riding it probably, thank you so much!

[@cswsriding]

you make it look so easy!! my boy has a canter that is rather difficult to sit. I've let us both get out of shape in the last couple of years and I'm slowly working into getting back in shape, so I'm kind of relearning how to sit his canter. I have to build all my muscles back up! thanks for this video.

[@danielepayen-jaekel8104]

Thank you Amelia. The visual of the swishing in the saddle from back to forth

[@beverleecarrell510]

Excellent

[@kathryndurham9148]

Thanks for the slow mo! It's 102 degrees here, today, in Sebastopol. Hope you & your horses are not having the same experience we're having up here!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Oh my! That's hot!

[@sandrawheeler1521]

Absolutely love your vids Amelia. I am learning so much. Thank you so much for sharing your expert knowlege. From The UK. Xxx

[@charlotte2615]

This helped me. When I used to canter a bit I was going side to side but this helped understand next time I canter on my horse.

[@faye6129]

i have never done a canter before, Im starting this week, im so scared- If you guys have any tips send them onnnnn ty~ :D

[@rideintothesunset6611]

Good explanation of a good transition from rising to sitting trot.

[@rachelrogers7067]

Wonderful tutorial of the canter. Thank you!!

[@Collins1118]

THANK YOU! I’ve asked so many people how to improve my canter seat and I get the same answer- just kinda thrust or rock your bottom. The end. No one has really demonstrated like you have here and also the shoulder movement is something no one has mentioned and I could be doing that unintentionally. So thank you so much. I’ve searched KZbin and this is the most instructive demo I’ve seen. Hope I can saddle up before winter and work on this.

[@theredrover3217]

Very good job with the video, excellent close-up view illustrating.

[@amritdeepsingh2991]

beautiful demonstration

[@venturedoggie7434]

Very helpful thank you!! I’ll be working on my seat !!

[@Hudson1910]

I am soooo happy to have stumbled on your videos. Your ring is so nice! I am an older newer rider and have not cantored yet, but am at the stage where I am trying to post the trot without stirrups, which my teacher says I need to get down before the cantor. Love all this good info!!!

[@foreverbreyers8402]

Thanks I’m going to my canter lesson in an hour hopefully this will help.

[@jennar.4677]

Thank you so much! Your videos are so helpful!

[@tarrynmc5532]

I’m going to try and take your advice in my lesson tomorrow, you totally called me out with pushing the horse on with my shoulders! 😂😂

[@lllllllllsksjsj]

Such a good example!! "like a rocking horse"

[@lunamagicath1658]

Omg so helpful. Started riding a different horse and i became heavy in the saddle for some reason. This explains how to correct.

[@emmam7861]

Awesome, just what l needed!! Thank you Amelia.

[@Karen-px9wh]

That was excellent!! Thank you for clear teaching!!

[@neivebarrow2035]

Beautiful horse ❤

[@annettemcnabb3033]

thank you!! very well demonstrated! i am guilty of these flaws :( i will be very focused today in correcting

[@hvllydur]

I’ll try this tomorrow! Hopefully I’ll do better my horse I ride her canter is smooth and she’s very well behaved but I still bounce a bit so thanks for the info!! 💗

[@claireb5522]

Her seat is amazing!!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thank you!!

[@nwart4773]

Thank you. Very nice video and spot on. One of the reasons people do the pump or bump is exactly what you said-they are tight in hip rotation. Stretch and condition people! We're all guilty of tight hip rotators and need to help our horse's backs with our own supple movements. It's a team sport after all ;)

[@helenakove2]

Still looking for a good stable that fits me but getting many amazing tips from this ❤️

[@TexasHorseGirlSF]

You are such a good rider

[@avaasmr7218]

Thank this is helpful I will update after my lesson on Sunday! 😊

[@sridhar21s]

Wonderfully explained and demonstrated.

[@gavinmatheson9911]

For some reason my last few lesson I have been so bad with my seat. I have ended up getting homework having to write the correct way and how to sit your canter, great. Geez I'm trying trainers. I may be watching this on my horse. GoOd GiRl :-)

[@Hector-xk8lg]

Very helpful video, thanks!

[@lynncobb3109]

This is the best advice and demonstration of cantering I have ever heard. I’m a visual person so this is perfect. Thank you!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jonnakatrina267]

The video is made cool..... It was simply and well explained and shown

[@hassankhanjadoon7762]

Thank you so much Very very informative video

[@sridhar21s]

Good demonstration, explanation and slow motion demo.

[@amandacotton1876]

thank you this really helped !!

[@user-ig9ri5er1c]

Great demo on this!!

[@annieoakley5075]

Thanks so much for this. You are a gifted instructor. You have given me things to look for to improve. The canter is one of my weak links and your words will be with me the next time I ride.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Yay!! Keep up the hard work!

[@mayawaloni8078]

Thank you for this, so useful for a beginner like me

[@lisagray1347]

Thankyou! Very helpful!

[@annaszurek7440]

I haven’t ridden in a while but I’m going to be going again soon. The break I took was bc I ride in Poland bc lessons are inexpensive compared to riding lessons in the US. Last time I rode I cantered for the first time, and then the next day I cantered again. The second day, however, the horse threw its head forward bc it wanted me to keep the reins less tight but I wasn’t used to cantering so I held them pretty tight. I am kinda scared of cantering bc it just feels a bit weird to me.

[@Hiker63]

Beautiful horse!

[@pippakay7234]

I love your videos Amelia such a pity I'm mo longer able to ride but I'm going to get my granddaughter to watch them. Hopefully they will really help her.x

[@geminidream4347]

Yes it helped a lot for me. Thank you.

[@jordanwhite5470]

Love the closeups, slow motion, & explanations! Keep it up!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Ok!!

[@rileyandrews3589]

Very helpful, I was bouncing and fell off twice so this helped me a lot

[@lulumousab1299]

Thank you so much you are amazing I was confused about how to sit while the house is jogging

[@Litleval24]

Another video that clearly shows and explains wonderfully! Wow what an awakening im having! Now i hope i can apply it properly! Thank you!!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thank you so much Val! And thanks for watching! Also, subscribe to my email list to get your weekly dressage tips straight to your inbox! www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/subscribe/

[@dotgray542]

Loving your videos, very helpful.

[@svetarakhmanova834]

Amelia, you are the perfect teacher ❤️

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

thank you for your kind words

[@yeet3259]

I just did my first canter on the last lesson of horse riding before quarantine btw thx for the vid I need to know how to canter

[@anandaharris1481]

I'm doing my first w t c show saturday great tips

[@michaelbarry7389]

Best advice ever