How to Ride the Canter - Skeleton Demonstration!

To clear up the canter confusion, in this week’s video I am here with Wendy Murdoch and Elmer the skeleton, to explain what our body needs to do at canter, how we can easily go with the horse’s movement, and why some things riders do makes them unstable and could even hurt the horse.
p.s. If you want to learn more from Wendy, click here to check out her Effortless Rider Course, just reopened! www.horseclass...
p.s.s. Want to ride the springy horse shown in this video?! Come to Honey Brook Stables for our Private Intensives for two days of learning on Joker the Spring Horse and our real school masters too! www.horseclass...

[@jennifercockrill6356]

The demonstration of how hard it is for the horse to move in the canter with the rider pitched forward was really helpful (and shocking!)

[@windfall331]

no kidding- i plan to rewatch this each time before i ride!!

[@maddiedotterer4813]

Good idea

[@maddiedotterer4813]

I’m learning how to canter

[@icking8572]

For the longest time, I underestimated the importance of an instant transition from a trot to a canter, or a walk to a canter if your horse is trained for that. If you're having to kiss and squeeze and have your horse go into a faster trot before you canter, not only can the motion mess you up as a rider, but a frenzied trot leads to a frenzied canter. Essentially, having a nice trot and an instant transition when you ask makes finding and maintaining the right position a million times easier.

[@nicoledice6288]

I think this was my problem. I was taught to get into this frenzied trot and then ask for a canter in the corners, but I always felt so nervous about the jumpy transition and my horse was never ready and I’d get so flustered

[@cetaequine]

Thank you!!

[@NatashaOktav]

Whenever I was asked to canter, I always leaned forward. I now know just how much that impacts the movements of the horse, so next time I'll try sitting straight and letting the horse move me, rather than bracing myself and trying to create something.

[@frozenia3783]

I am going to do “bareback” next week for more balance and trust in the horse so I can feel more confident in canter. *please ask your trainer before doing it*

[@britneyfirehunter8984]

Can we see the skeleton ride a real horse, I think he or she is ready to step up from fake horse to real horse, they look really good already!

[@Jess._.Equine13]

ikr!

[@Rem.Esm1]

Lol

[@hhlagen]

Thank you for a very clear explanation. Older person here. 60’s been along time since I’ve cantered. Mostly trail ride look at trees and squirrels. I don’t feel safe at the canter. I do realize the need to be able to balance and ride this out. I sit a trot fairly well and thank God in heaven my mare is patient with me. I saw the need to be able to canter when riding with a new person just the other day. I was ... long time ago passed accomplished rider. As we age I am seeing new challenges. Working on my confidence, balance and seat. Your video was very helpful. Thank you.

[@marysinclair1214]

Same here 61yr starting a young one. Worried about the canter.

[@franwitzel1604]

Love the idea of following the horse, rather than trying to create the canter .

[@debihamari2547]

That was big for me too!!

[@gailwatson4485]

Me too

[@jthompson13]

I like what she said- think of the lope as a change in the horses feet/movement not speed

[@angelahg9387]

Yes, one time, i was trotting behind another (bigger) horse, so my western-pony liked more to go canter, but the speed was the same😉 (sorry,my english is'nt good, i've forgotten too much)

[@carenseal4576]

this helped alot. my istructer said that if I can canter then she would teach me how to jump. I had trouble cantering before, but now I am a pro!

[@LunaLoveheart]

I’m an experienced rider but this was still so interesting.

[@beverleyford2558]

I’ve always found starting canter, staying in canter and finishing canter smoothly the trickiest gait. This explains many of my mistakes! Thank you.

[@louebegg3623]

That explained everything perfectly and as I have a tilted pelvis I can now see what’s been happening!

[@rebeccadysievick3125]

Love "wait till the horse canters you" opposed to trying to create it! Lightbulb

[@Djgrahamaz]

The demo of the twisted pelvis was enlightening

[@castigliana]

I just had my first canter today and barely managed to stay on the horse. This video came timely. I had several aha moments from let the horse canter you, don't bend to don't bounce. Thank you!

[@laloo7620]

The best lesson in horse riding i have ever seen

[@bikeyspice]

When I first did canter I was told to hold on to the neck strap. This made me feel sort of secure but the canter was super bouncy and not pleasant at all. When I stopped using the strap and my canter improved 100%. I was leaning forwards and totally in the wrong position, as per this video. The neck strap is actually counter productive. Really good to see the dynamics of this demonstrated here

[@kklima327]

I am a new Rider and I realize now that I've been doing everything wrong at the Canter. Thank you for the lesson I can't wait to try it again

[@elisabethtorok272]

Love this video and the one on posting the trot that is also with the skeleton! I find it is so much easier to grasp and also teach concepts from an objective view looking at the physiology of our bodies and how we can help our bodies work with the horse and not against.

[@allegra2116]

i love the canter

[@PoloWolf47]

It's cool 😁

[@DancesWifHooves]

This demonstration was eye opening! I always strive to ride in a way that allows my horse to best utilize his own body, carrying myself as much as possible while in the saddle, but to see how much of an impact just a little "misplacement" of a limb/seatbone or the shoulders has was impressive! This image will definitely be in my mind the next time I ride the canter! Thank you for sharing this with the world!

[@MrNoraharb]

The demonstration of how difficult it is for the horse to move when i lean forward is very informative. My instructor always tells me to sit back and squeeze with my legs so the horse starts to canter but i'm still struggling with the sitting trot so i find it difficult to sit the trot and then squeeze. What happens is that i try to keep myself in the saddle by squeezing and this automatically makes me lean forward big time and then the horse would start to canter. Many times i feel he canters because the instructor shouts canter not because i gave a right cue. After the transition, i sit back and i move with the saddle but when i see a video of me riding, i still find that i come out of the saddle somehow. I'm not fully "in" the seat. And the thing is.. i dont feel myself bouncing!

[@coffeeandhorses7991]

Honestly if you struggle with sitting trot then you are not ready to canter.

[@coffeeandhorses7991]

@@jackievargasphotography I know it's a pain to wait. I'm a dressage rider and was not allowed canter until I perfected post trot and sitting trot. Spent a few yrs doing that ! And a canter is a completely different motion then trot. My balance is so much better taking the time to perfect the "boring stuff " . When my pony spooks it doesn't throw me off balance anymore.

[@Kelly_Ben]

I don't agree. The movements are completely different, and the sitting trot is far bouncier, in some horses even more than others. I started riding dressage 30 years ago, have since ridden western and hunter jumper, and I'm STILL not perfect at the sitting trot. While it's good to work on the sitting trot, people can ride happily and safely for years without it being perfect. Would their riding be improved with working on it? Of course, but limiting your progress to the weakest link isn't a method I would advise.

[@horselover415]

When I used to find it hard to canter my instructor would tell me to do jumping positions then squeeze for the canter

[@andywoommavovah7229]

Yep! I am just getting back to riding after MANY years away. I am definitely a “leaner”. The hard part for me is the start. This demonstration helped tremendously!

[@suzanne1816]

I thought that was a really great job at explaining the form with connection to your seat and the horse's body motion during a Canter and the affects it has when done the wrong way versus correct way - Love it and want to see how I would do at this again as with all forms of riding. The very first time I cantered was when I was 16 years old with a girlfriend who took me out to an open field with her horse. When I got on that horse and got to that momentum where is just felt fluid, it was the greatest feeling in the world! I had never felt so free and connected with a horse. I believe I went into a gallop too. I love horses and visualize what my interactions would be with them daily even though I don't have any of my own. Probably sounds silly, but I have watched many horse and ranch type movies. I have watched "Heartland" for its 15th season always paying close attention to how Amy trains and gentles the horses and really focus all my attention to. It's something I've always been passionate about since I was a young girl and I just need to make this happen- I would like to find a friendly down-to-earth family type farm/ranch where I can begin lessons again and see what might come about. Thanks for sharing

[@debihamari2547]

I loved this lesson! We are just starting canter transitions! We have gone into canter in both directions and now working on cues from walk to canter. Tiny does rise up going into canter and my seat comes up. I love the idea of going into the canter taking Tiny's lead and my feet under me and upright! 💜🐴

[@kathleenpead3268]

I am a Flat Seat/Dressage instructor and this is a great new way for me to solve this issue I have with beginner riders or those transitioning from Hunt Seat. THANKYOU!!

[@staufferfamily9629]

This was great, I never cantered before ( still working on trot) but it will help me when I am ready to canter! 👍🙂🐴

[@avasEQ]

The canter is gonna feel odd at first but just sit back and keep in control ✌🏻 Just a tip from equestrian to equestrian

[@staufferfamily9629]

Ok !😁 Thanks!

[@avasEQ]

@@staufferfamily9629 yw 😁

[@alicelovingood8520]

This was very helpful. I tend to brace so to see how the movement works with the body was a great display

[@NaturallyGaitedHorse]

Fantastic explanation about the importance of rider awareness and its effect on the horse's movement as well as rider tips for a quality canter!

[@comesahorseman]

I didn't appreciate that "rising" motion until I rode a level 3 dressage horse and asked for a walk/canter transition. It was like a mountain rising up in front of me! And, a pretty smooth transition.

[@anipopescu]

What’s a level 3 dressage horse? Which levels are these?

[@clairefrost3149]

Thank you. The horse I ride takes a lot of work to eat to canter so I am never in a relaxed sitting position for the transition. My instructor shouts for me to keep pushing him forward with my feet which pushes my torso forwards! If I sit up and straight he won’t transition into canter but I will keep trying using your advice. Thank you x. I am going to do the effortless rider course as soon as I have saved up x

[@alicecohen4726]

Ask the teacher to demonstrate from a balanced trot the canter departure. If sustainable go back and ask for the steps to ride a balanced departure and sit trot if possible. Is the horse well.🌹 The weight shifts to a single foreleg as the canter cycles through the movement. Sometimes the back is tight or perhaps there may be a gear impingement. Does the horse transition trot to canter in a free way unridden? Ridden demonstration may start a new concept in teaching! Not being a smart arse but horses may be hit in the back too often and become out of self protection "unable" to canter. A few ideas.

[@claradess5533]

Thanks a lot for this video! I will be cantering for the first time next week and I feel like this video really helps me to mentally prepare for the lesson. I look forward to seeing more videos from you!

[@AbigailPinehaven]

This was so helpful!

[@katrinathompson6339]

My legs look forward and not under me. I need to reposition them. Also it reminded me to check my stirrup length to make sure it's not assisting me in my bracing during canter.

[@TheQueenAndTheKing]

A lot of people said it already, but this was soo insightful! Really enjoyed the video. Props to both of you, the joker and Mr. Skeleton 😜

[@robertnewell5057]

Fantastic again, Callie (and Wendy!) Seeing the movement of the skeleton showed me a lot about why you need to be relaxed and still.

[@DonnaVarno]

It makes so much more sense to not twist our hips to get into the canter. I like the idea of the horse cantering you. Thank you for the video.

[@Swiftie_Marley]

That’s great 😃 cause in horse riding i have been practising the canter

[@avasEQ]

Nice, isn’t it weird at first? Was for me, but u get used to it

[@csmith0325]

Thank you for breaking that down into small details! It was especially helpful to hear "follow the canter, don't try to create it."

[@dannielleaus5466]

Love this video thank you! Using the Skelton is such a good way to show it - thank you

[@Melissavisuals]

That is one of the best demos I've seen.

[@sineadmcnamara4418]

Excellent explanation, thank you

[@nehelyroll6820]

For anyone struggling I was focusing on one thing too much and that was to make the circle movements but I kept bouncing so I couldn’t do that. And when I just started riding my instructor would tell me to relax and I completely forgot about that. All you got to do is relax and lean a bit back not too much and when you are not bouncing you will feel that your following the horses movement without you actually making yourself follow it it just happens.

[@Missauthentic716]

Love this demo, I appreciate the wait for you horse to cantor you. This will really help me be patient in the transition.

[@artielebar8539]

Excellent demonstration of how a rider can get in the horses way! Also great visual of how it would feel when riding the center correctly. Thank you!

[@helenestokmo7608]

This was a much needed slap in the face for me 😅 Thanks for explaining the mechanics behind my canter issues 👌🏻

[@anetamorrison.ane.]

I keep coming back to this video. Extremely useful, thank you!

[@jazmineszlari414]

In today's lesson I was asked to go over a pole on the ground and I forgot to stride properly. The horse overjumped so it literally launched my butt forward and my head almost landed in the horse's neck if I didn't stop myself in time. Then found this video and it clicked why it happened. BECAUSE I ALWAYS SAT THE CANTER, LEANING FORWARD.

[@nereidenene7731]

Thanks from Italy ❤

[@themidwestcowgirl]

Great explanation, thanks for posting

[@gilliantaylor5203]

Hi im in the UK just watched this very informative video. I did not know avout the horses rib cage moving up when cantering.

[@sherigilman395]

Thank you for this video! You've really explained alignment and motions occurring at the hip joint- truly helpful!!! I feel that I need a stronger understanding of the horse's motions in the canter: ribcage, neck, shoulder, pelvis and leg movements. Is there a video for this?

[@abbykoop5363]

This is good. I'm a bit confused though. So what is the cue for canter then? Do you just encourage forward until they canter?

[@natashatheriault2022]

The cue for canter is the same everywhere. The inside leg stays at the girth, the outside leg slides back behind the girth and give a nudge into canter.

[@GoldenStarFilm]

Like the comment from Natasha says, cue from canter is inside leg on the girth outside leg behind, let’s not forget that a rushed trot to canter transition often causes disbalance so you really want to establish a steady rhythm and moving from posting trot to sitting trot you continue the rhythm and then kick into canter.

[@paulinewoodhouse5175]

Changing either up or down you should notify your horse of the change with subtle half halt!!

[@naomipommerel8415]

Depends on how they're trained?

[@Flying0Dismount]

@@natashatheriault2022 The positioning of the legs is the same in most systems of riding, but in classical dressage, the outside leg back does not "nudge", but simply keeps the hindquarters from rotating outwards (which is what the classical texts mean by "guarding the hindquarters"), while you position your horse in a slight shoulder fore and cue the canter from the *inside* leg at the girth... The reasoning for this is so the horse doesn't confuse the haunches in aids (which are consistent with the concept of guarding the hind) with a canter depart, which are necessary for half pass and pirouette movements.. As Wendy said, canter aids are a learned aid for the horse, they are not "natural" or universal: the Spanish Riding School is also known to sometime use an "inside leg forward" aid for canter... I believe Podhasky describes this briefly in his book.. Many young horses are also taught to canter from the lunge with a voice aid and often a kissing sound, so if a rider is having issues initiating a canter from the leg aids or tends to lean or brace, it is often helpful to simply have them sit in the proper position and give the voice aid until they are comfortable with the feel of the transition and can give the aid properly.

[@katgibbs]

“Joker” 😂 I’m cracking up. This is very helpful! Thank you.

[@horsebitchbarnwitch]

Haven't cantered yet...so this was helpful to keep my body in proper alignment , not to push forward with my feet, and to allow him to canter and for me to follow it in the proper alignment. Thank you...extremely helpful watching the skeletal movement

[@jandavison7288]

Good luck when you do, it's great

[@mariaverbeek8403]

Thank you for this information and all your videos :)

[@saeedahpirzada6286]

Thank you, that was very helpful and the best part about it is to let the horse canter you.. I will take that into my riding when I'm ready

[@forestequestrian9290]

What stood out the most to me was how the canter is just a change of legs, not a change of speed. That just made something click for me, as I am generally a bit nervous asking for the canter, especially when my horse has been out of work and might be fresh.

[@cetaequine]

This is much more helpful than a lot of tips I've seen!

[@418SurferGirl]

This is great advice and I love seeing the skeleton because I have hip joint/pelvis arthritis and visually seeing how the skeleton moves on the horse is what I needed to see. I like the idea of letting the horse canter You. I'm going to work on this more now!

[@robynestrella7659]

We did not realize the full affect of leaning forward on the horse's ability to canter forward. Thank you!!

[@HamburgerTelephone]

This is the best canter video on youtube. Thanks a lot, it’s exaclty what I was looking for

[@Amersmelia]

How could I not subscribe after watching this

[@Punganurcowshorsesdogs9999]

Thank you very much for taking so much effort to explain. Thank you 😊

[@JenniferJCouch]

Extremely helpful. Especially the improper way cue for the canter. So what is the correct way, keeping in balance, to cue for the canter? Love your vlogs.

[@bethanys-herd]

This was super helpful! I've had a couple years of a break after having a baby and my canter seat has been out of sorts, this really helped to explain why it wasn't going to well! Thank you!

[@alicecohen4726]

Try slow muscle strength movement w a good physio who may also understand riding. Pilates and Feldencrais work well if done w correct breathing in co ordination with slow controlled movement. You'll be amazed how head to toe connected, balanced and "through" the body starts to feel. Horse goes with our flow, we go w theirs and stay safe. 💕😊🌈👍

[@brendahospedales8692]

Let the horse canter me first! That was an ah ha moment! Thank you!

[@dod608]

Very instructive

[@Sara-vz9ig]

I love how you used the skylaton 😂💕 it is very helpful and shocking as well .. I always lean forward to hold my self and feel safe .. very nice video .. thank you!

[@khadanse-DJ-KHA]

Thanks Callie for all your videos with your love and passion ! My question : the circular movement Wendy is demonstrating with the sattle is a backwards oriented circle. If I am not wrong in one of your videos you suggest the first move is down (meaning the back of the horse is up, what seems to me more a forward oriented circle closing the hip joint of the rider when the back of the horse is up ). Your thoughts ?Hope I could explain clearly. thanks for considering. Helmuth

[@oneegyptianpharaoh2798]

Very useful video. I discovered one mistake I was doing!!

[@the_nicest_guy]

that's science

[@2ambriella]

I have been riding for a while now but I just always had trouble really sitting deepn in the canter. I would always see others cantering and they would be sitting it really well on bot bouncing at all and i noticed that they would almost move their upper body back and forth with the canter. I tried that and it helped a little but it still felt really uncomfortable and un natural. I eventually realized that the only reason their upper body was moving a bit was because they were actually moving their hips with the saddle. So guys while leaning back and relaxing in the canter is helpful you should purposely move your hips with the saddle and think about you butt being glued to the saddle and not allowed to come out. Good luck hope this helps 😁

[@francesca.lehtonen]

I’m going to apply this every time I’m in the saddle! Thank you!!

[@lauraknaack7811]

Wow that canter demonstration was very helpful

[@zairasbauarbeiter]

that´s really brilliant! thank you so much for such a clear and precise explanation! I`m looking forward to join Wendy´s classes! There is so much knowledge in your videos! I love them! Please go on!

[@yvonnekiwior9633]

Thankyou...

[@Lynn11361]

My horse is an absolute steamroller and anticipates the canter after we have trotted 🤣 It is a challenge relaxing first to help her relax but we are working on it. The actual motion of the saddle in canter was the most helpful for me today. Thanks!

[@cinnamoncruz2511]

Nice reminder...the rider has to relax first.

[@TeamCrespoDallas]

For your legs in the canter, do you keep any leg on (like a light hug) or do you let them hang loosely? For me this is the trickiest part. Especially when riding school horses that require a little more leg. I'm trying to relax and kick at the same time.

[@sassafrasstree7449]

Thanyou great video .

[@davidvaninwagen9391]

I’m hoping that some point I’ll find the sweet spot, because I’ve tried relaxing leaning back, forward, changing my stirrups, finding a rhythm, but there just seems to be no getting past an up and down motion that seems like around a foot of movement up and down. It just seems no matter how relaxed or wherever my bottom is placed in that saddle, there is no maintaining a center of gravity within it. Heck with that kind of up and down movement you could catapult a lump of lard into the next county. So there must be something else m missing. I’ve been attempting this for months now on Doogan, he’s a 16 hand quarter horse, and my last attempt left me with a scabbed behind after a 100 yards of experimenting with various positions.

[@RaagaA460]

Thanks ever so much for this really interesting video. This skeleton can explain things really logically. And it shows very clearly, what leaning forward and bracing can do to the poor horse. I would love to learn, too, how your boney rider manages the ups and downs of the canter, opening and closing his hips. I guess, the secret is to let the movement flow through your hips, widening and narrowing the angle between your upper legs and your body. This would make your body always stay upright, seemingly unmovable. Am I right?

[@danielalima894]

The course is amazing!

[@kimnenninger7226]

Great video. I was surprised at how hard it was to move a slumped over person.

[@onacecelia1511]

Gonna try this out tomorrow for my lesson thx for posting this must really help people ❤️

[@aysepersona4194]

The skeleton demonstration is great!!!! Pls show us more for other modes as well

[@isabella2472]

Would recommend Miranda galloping to get the movement

[@almahopkins2984]

Let the horse lead you to canter vs you creating it ! Super advice! Thank you 🙏🏽

[@raynecamara]

Also some people push back in to a chair position, pushing the legs forward while the seat gets left behind.

[@christinafragis7224]

Excellent video! Such helpful tips. Thank you for sharing.

[@heatherferrell1954]

This was excellent!!! I see the drama that can come from malposition.

[@Voigna]

This is awesome! Now if I could just get rid of my fears of cantering. My horse gets really fast and I don't know where I have to have contact with the horse so I don't fall forward

[@gosiabu3523]

Great video! Thank you! Couldyiu show us, how to ride canter on a circle? How to seat, how to set legs?

[@darci1456]

I've always let my legs stay where they were and leaned back a little. I let myself go with the horse. Glad to know I've been doing good.

[@marthas9724]

Very good, but what signals do you give the horse to have him canter?

[@carolinedevantier699]

Can you help me to de the posision you do when you jump i just cant do it or figure it out💖✨

[@benjamincollins8559]

I keep myself balanced by bracing right before the horse goes back down to walking. This raises the question, should I do this to stay balanced?

[@271BadDog]

I push myself up from the stirrups for a moment while making this transition, but mostly for my horse's comfort

[@RaagaA460]

For me it helps to relax and to take a big breath, especially to breathe out slowly. This stops my horse amazingly fast and effortlessly.

[@reginashevlin1470]

Love the Skelton demonstration. Learned how NOT TO grip so tight with lower legs AND sit straight.

[@helenhodge-croom9635]

hum...as a western ridder I was taught to drive forward with my pelvis as my feet come in and push for the canter(it slightly leans you back to free the shoulder to come up) but I didn't have professional teaching just cowboys I rode with. After I had my son I found it was painful to drive with my pelvis so I end up bracing my legs to "hover" into the transition, which also is painful due to knee and ankle injury in my right leg so I naturally lean forward once the shoulder comes up to relive that pain. (think a circle from hind to front going forward to get started with a big shoulder movement that's natural for my horse*he throws his shoulders up and forward having no professional training in gates*and that forces me to round my back to stay balanced without leg bracing or really leaning forward....and it's not painful to me and a "natural" movement for him....while I know we are far show material does that possible balance us out so we LOOK like we know what we are doing🤔🤔most tell me we look really good in our transitions but again it's nothing like a dressage show!😄

[@lucifer_333_bones7]

It might not be as fancy as dressage, but from the sounds of it, you're doing pretty good job at riding. I used to study horses, horse behavior, horse breeds, all that jaz, but I stopped after five or something years. And that's because my grandmother told me that horses are smelly and why would I want a smelly animal to be my favorite animal. I took it to heart and changed my favorite animal to cats, and to this day, they are my favorite animal. However, my love for horses still remains. And for a bonus, snakes are tied with cats, when it comes to my favorite animals.

[@naunettemartin7450]

And I like your video THAT you do it is go with you horse

[@lisawilson2985]

That was awesome to see 🙂