Riding the Canter - It's a Swing, Not a Scoop

[@Dressageforlife]

First a minute and half: Oh looks like Callie is on a beautiful friesian 1:42: oh lord he chunker

[@gispaAPRN]

Thought the same thing. Then I saw her chubby little neck and belly and giggled. SO STINKING cute. I wants herz.

[@Emily-pf3ee]

Friesian dont have white markings (unfortunaly, would be pretty awsome)

[@gispaAPRN]

Emily Geul , my aunt breeds them here in Gvl, SC. They actually can have a small “white star” on their forehead, but that that’s about it. Otherwise, they cannot be considered fully bred with any other white markings.

[@Emily-pf3ee]

Here in the netherlands i believe its not allowed at all. But in my opinion that is a stupid rule. A horse is a horse 😂

[@gispaAPRN]

Emily Geul yeah! I read some places/organizations don’t allow it. And I agree: a horse is a horse!!❤️. Funny, before you wrote back, I was reading about the Netherlands. So wild!

[@highcapacitymama2866]

I love her so much. Everything she has to say is always very helpful.

[@CDN_Bookmouse]

I have serious canter fear. It always feels like we're galloping around even though it's really not so fast. There's so much impulsion and movement and I feel like I'm in a free-fall for just an instant, but every stride. It frightens my lizard hindbrain lol

[@lauralbranch]

Bookmouse have someone lunge your horse on a lungeline while going back and forth between a trot and a canter to get used to the sudden change in movement. Keep slowly expanding the length you’re cantering and focus on breathing and staying relaxed to feel the horse’s movement. Try a leather, coat treeless Australian saddle, too (a mix between a western and an English saddle that can be ridden in either English or western style). They are built so you can easily feel the horse beneath you, so it might be easier for you to find a good rhythm. Hope this helps!

[@mackkovach6948]

I just recently started cantering so i totally understand where you’re coming from and honestly my best advice is to work on getting a really really good seat (you can do this by workin sitting trot/no stirrups/bareback) and by speeding up the trot as much as you can without going into a canter. once you get comfortable with doing all that, start working on the canter! it’s also super super important to make sure your reins are pretty short so when you start to feel uncomfortable you can pull on them just a little bit and get your horse to slow down. i also recommend only cantering in a straight line until you get the hang of it. it’s also SSUUUPPEERRRR important to make sure you have your heels down as far as you can get them, it’s truly crazy how much more stable you’ll feel when you do this! you can also hold onto the mane a bit until you get more comfortable cantering. and last but not least work on your mentality, i KNOW it can be really really scary to learn how to canter but once you get the hang of it it’s so fulfilling and a lot better than trotting! so when you ask your horse to canter, try and be as confident as you can be and try and remember worst case scenario you fall off, and it’s really not that bad! i hope this helps and i wish you the best of luck!!!!!

[@rysrides]

i used to have a terrible fear of cantering too. for me, i just had to make myself do it until i got comfortable with the motion. i also made sure i did it with a trainer or trusted & knowledgable person around because that made me feel safer. i hope that might help & you can get through it! you can do it! :)

[@featheredfoothill]

Oh gosh, well said. Lizard hindbrain. I can relate.

[@njuhna]

Sameeee! For me its feels soo fast, like the horse is galloping!

[@shellshocked7620]

The position and canter looked better with the “scoop” even though tim was exaggerated. In the other position, Callie’s lower leg didn’t appear stable, the hands looked very low on the neck and Callie was coming up and out of the saddle more. Not sure this is the best video I’ve seen on this topic.

[@en8684]

I must say I agree, the first technique appears bouncier and more stiff. A light scoop keeps you closer to the horse.

[@lyssue386]

Agreed! Her butt was flopping on the saddle and the horse was traveling more Hollow in what she described as "correct." Looks unpleasant for the horses back

[@myh7569]

Agreed, the scooping clip she is way more connected to her seat and the movement of the canter -- much more similar to dressage seat. The swing example she's bouncing on his back and way stiffer.

[@sarahconnor4984]

+1. The scooping doesn't have to be over exagerated, but the pelvis has to be going in and out of the neutral position to go with the horse and avoid flaping into the saddle as she does in the first clip. Galloping doing soft posterior tilt -> neutral -> anterior tilt -> neutral, and repeat.

[@KH-pj2ww]

Forgive the avatar. My daughter’s doing. This was the single biggest, most helpful video I have ever watched, and I’ve watched a lot! My instructor would tell me to try to stop bouncing in the seat and to give with the reins, but I couldn’t quite figure out how to effectively do that UNTIL I WATCHED THIS! Fantastic advice that transformed my riding and boosted my confidence. I now can use the flex ion at the hip and use that motion to give and take with the reins. Thank you so much!

[@awickstra3651]

To improve my canter and balance, I like to drop my stirrups. That forces me to rely on my seat, core, and hips rather than my stirrups to stay upright and balanced.

[@julianakrieg7671]

Wow thank you! I’ll be sure to try that!

[@ademirj241]

Hello Miss Callie! Your explanation is very clear and transmit certaint in what you say. In my next class I will apply your teaching. Thank you very much.

[@mizmae0890]

I used to think of a scooping motion until I starting thinking of the front of my pelvis more as a "reaching" motion and to think " down down down". It was a serious breakthrough for me.

[@gilliangirl1]

sorry, what? You mean your pelvis reaches up then pushes down?

[@mizmae0890]

@@gilliangirl1 it's a technique I learned by Mary Wanless kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6TIaWp4Zsp0b8k. This video explains it well and I have found this helpful.

[@algypsy17]

Horse games helped me a lot to ride the canter with confidence and ease ! Chasing each other, having to escape, racing for a goal, making swift changes of directions and so on ... really helps you to just forget about fear, you just do it ;-), have fun, play, forget that you are cantering, galoping ! 15 minutes later, laughing and out of breath you'll just realize how good it feels and that it's not so scary ...

[@Kelly_Ben]

Me too! It gets you out of your head so you stop overanalyzing everything, and before you know it you've developed the "feel" while having fun. I wish more lesson barns included mounted games in lessons!

[@algypsy17]

@@Kelly_Ben Exactly ! The fun factor is often neglected in lessons.

[@malboyce3468]

I started off with a light lean back and scooping and found this quite hard on my back. Eventually once i learned to relax, I found my neutral upright position as you described, and then the swing come naturally. As I said it was an eventual learning experience and took perhaps 3 good solid rides to get the feel for it. Others may learn it quicker but either way it is fun just riding :-)

[@legacystudentschannel]

Finally. This is the video I have been looking for. I am told to polish the seat which causes me to scoop. 1 year on and I still can’t canter well. I will try this today. Your videos have really helped my riding. Which is ironic as I always tell my students to avoid KZbin tutorials.

[@jamesmcdermott5048]

We love Cali... Sometimes we, my grandchildren and I will sit and learn.. Thanks Cali, learning to ride, and 'be' with our animals helps them, and us be safe. My little ones are doing well, and their 'skills' are ever increasing... ;-)

[@maryahern1618]

When I dropped my stirrups it was easier to ride the canter (some saddles seem to have the stirrups leathers too far forward-- and they seem to impede correct leg placement ) Also, when someone told me to open and close my hips instead of scooping, that really helped. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!!

[@karysgriffiths-derose6241]

Ive had this problem it feels like th4 fsr forward stirrups pushes me backwards unless im constantly pulling my leg back which equally creates unbalance through tension. I loved trotting without stirrups it was very comfortable and i dont doubt canter would be similar

[@sarajane5306]

I'm not a natural rider at all. But I'm a pro groom as my career and my first two employers had me take so many lunge lessons without stirrups to get a decent deep seat. Also, my personal body conformation makes it incredibly painful and difficult to get my heals down and toes pointing forward. Relaxing and not pushing for the perfect leg position also helped massively, trying to push ankles down has the opposite effect of pushing you up out of the saddle and creates the bounce riders are seen with. It takes a lot of strength to ride a canter well, both in your core and in your arms and thighs, unless on a well schooled horse they take a lot of holding together, most people lack this and without the riding strength they're better off in a half seat jumping position and taking the movement through their thighs rather than banging around on the back. Good riding can not be achieved without a good amount of strength and tone in the rider. But loads of riding without stirrups holding a neckstrap if need be is the only really effective way to get people riding canter better.

[@paigemontague4022]

May I just say... That is the chunkiest horse I’ve ever seen and I love it

[@algypsy17]

Another thought : I think it helps a lot to ride a horse with "go". You can relax and sit in a balanced position that helps you find this kind of independence between your upper body and your legs that helps you to get the swing movement. Otherwise, some riders tend to produce the scooping movement trying to push the horse forward with every stride, what do you think ?

[@lillycorrell4838]

I agree! One of the reasons I love a horse with more go than woah.

[@isabelle7029]

I got to canter for the first time today and I looked ridiculous! Bouncing like crazy. I can’t wait to get back at it and use these tips

[@chispas2004]

Hi there per your request for comments, I learned to ride the canter best bareback. Great video Thanks

[@gilliangirl1]

Play the video, once it's going, go to Settings on the video status bar, set Playback speed to .5, then move the Play arrow up to about 1:55. You can watch the two different movement types in slow motion.

[@sushilafilmspvtltd4461]

Right

[@marykiernan9706]

I can't wait to try this exercise focusing on the hip joint. One of the things that has helped me has been to not be afraid to let the horse go. To understand the canter, one needs to feel it at the horse's speed. I may not be articulating this correctly but once I decided to not be so afraid of her speed, I was able to focus better on my own mechanics of learning the canter....mind you, I'm still learning it. I also got on another horse to get the feeling of what it could feel like. It was like the difference between an economy car and a luxury car.

[@madelenegodfrey8528]

Love your comparison! I reckon that would be the difference between my cob and a dressage horse 😂

[@banquocobs1]

This is such an essential point!! Excellent teaching!

[@kmiklaszewski]

The workshop is amazing so far!!

[@Dylan-ez5qx]

This is so helpful! I’ve been trying to figure out why my upper body moves so much and then my shoulders start moving so much in the canter. I now know it’s a swing!! Thanks so much this has been so helpful! I will definitely try this in my next ride this week

[@geminiandgabby9426]

I am self train so this really helps me learning how to canter

[@terrypuch1443]

While it makes sense from a point of view mechanically to open &use the the hips, I noticed how much Callie's rear came out of the saddle & came down with more pressure than I thought until I focused on the panels of the saddle. It didn't look comfortable. Watching the scoop, her rear looked more "in the saddle" & with the horse. This is mostly how i ride the canter but without leaning back so much. So, what am I missing? Help.... I wish the clips of each where longer. It's hard to see 10 seconds of a difference sometimes .

[@lokismum]

Terry Puch what she calls the scoop is how I was taught to ride when training for my BHSAI at Crabbet Park under John Lassiter. He was one of the only two chosen each year to train at the Vienna Riding School and you can’t get better than that. He came back with Lippizaners and opened his own establishment at Goodwood House. Watching this video when riding the canter today her method her lower leg was not still as it should be and her backside was coming out of the saddle on each stride. It looked very amateur. You cannot improve on the art of horsemanship as taught through the centuries by classic riders. Sit down in the saddle and push the pelvis forward with each stride and keep the legs still. The sitting trot is performed in the same way and then there is no bouncing and rounding of backs, plus of course it is so much more comfortable to the horse. Watch classic dressage riders performing in top dressage shows to see how to ride correctly and get the best out of your horses.

[@terrypuch1443]

@@lokismum I see what you mean now. I've watched some classical riding footage & riders look more in tune with their horses. It practically looks effortless. When you said the pelvis is moving forward, that was what I meant about opening the hips essentially. I suppose I should have been more clear. The classical style of riding is something that I would like to strive towards.

[@kimsechrist4139]

​@@terrypuch1443 Yeah. I've noticed that, if you think about it, the movement doesn't change throughout (typical) gaits, just how much you use of each part. A walk you don't open the hips as much, but you use the pelvic core to stabilize your back and move with the horse. Canter you still use your pelvic core, you widen your hips, though (this is very basic, I am aware there is more to riding each gait).

[@janettcotton647]

I also thought Callie was more connected in the scooping motion.

[@erinjaynes]

I thought the same thing. She seemed to be pounding the saddle in the swinging hip motion. In the scooped version, she seemed to be riding more smoothly and in a more seated position.

[@Wildernessadventuresoz]

Thankyou for this. I’m just ready to start cantering so all these tips help. Wonderful!

[@glennbrookes3927]

Wow... very nice production quality. I really like the new format, graphics, opening, etc. AND, the content is awesome, as always. Thanks!

[@ingridblohm-hyde805]

That was wonderful. I think I now got this. It is good to know what to practice. Thank you so much!

[@horsecrazycrafter]

I used to do the “scooping” motion, and sometimes still do that when I don’t pay attention. Of course I found a way to stop on my own, since it had made me sore, but hearing a proper explanation was really helpful. Thank you!

[@ardenvalentine7963]

I was taught to "lead with your hip" so if you are on the right lead, your right hip leads the swing, and it's less of a "back and forth" motion but rather closer to a figure 8 with the hip of same lead starting the pattern. It really helped me learn to sit the canter smoothly and I feel like in the saddle all at once.

[@terrypuch1443]

I had a trainer ages ago that try to explain to me about the same figure 8 that you were talking about, but for the life of me I could never figure that out nor feel it in the saddle. Can you explain a little bit more?

[@ardenvalentine7963]

@@terrypuch1443 yeah! so let's just pretend you're riding the right canter lead around a circle. Focus on your right hip following the movement of the horse and let the left hip just follow along. So when the front legs go forward, your right hip goes forward, when they land you start to sweep back. If you can, get someone to put you on the lunge line and close your eyes to feel the rhythm. Don't worry about moving your left hip, it will come along for the ride on it's own. Hope this helps!

[@gilliangirl1]

@@ardenvalentine7963 Awesome! Thank you!

[@saraheverardNZ]

One of the reasons I gave up riding lessons last year was my instructor kept trying to get me to canter when I wasn’t ready and kept hurting my back due to not getting it right. Was also on a horse which liked to break into canter without me asking for it and now I’m scared to try again on any horse. If I get back to it I’ll try this method.

[@NazTheGreat]

If it starts to canter just pull the reigns and stop or slow it back down

[@NazTheGreat]

Oh, and perhaps talk to your instructor or even find a different instructor

[@saraheverardNZ]

It’s hard to find instructors who teach adults, of the three places I found in my city, two focused more on kids. As some who is pushing 40, never rode before, can’t yet consistently post in trot, and getting stuck with which ever volunteer was up there that day, who wasn’t an instructor - or have my instructor stay at one end where I couldn’t hear them and be focused on chatting to the volunteer than teaching me, then expect me to canter when I don’t have balance sorted after 6 lessons just put me off. One day I’d like to own my own horse and get a private instructor to come to me. But I don’t see it happening any time soon. Which sucks as I loved riding.

[@danw6014]

You might look into observing several instructors to see if you can find one that might fit you. Not only should you observe the instructor but also the horses. Maybe being back near the horses and quiet observation will help you get ready to ride again.

[@NazTheGreat]

@@saraheverardNZ Yikes, sorry to hear that. They don't seem very professional, my lesson is 45mins (was half an hour before) and it's one to one tuition. If you're paying for your lesson, they need to provide you a better service. Can't you talk to them and tell them, you would prefer one to one tuition with an experienced instructor? I had a similar situation only once, I realised that on a particular day there was someone other than my usual instructor, next time I saw my instructor I asked her what days she worked. Now I only book on those days, as its better for me to have one instructor who knows exactly what stage I'm at, my weaknesses, my strengths and can coach me accordingly. I think your super brave taking lessons at your age! Keep going!

[@elainebernarding8495]

You have a beautiful presentation and teaching skill. Excellent video.

[@AjubuWubu]

I cannot sit the canter to save my life. I just bounce out of the saddle like a sack of potatoes lol

[@Newcards4u]

That's me in trot, gallop is easy, all I have to do is relax and follow the motion of the horse. While in trot, my bouncy butt seriously throws me out of rhythm..

[@silverkitty2503]

just count ....its a rhythm..or it should be ...if the horse is badly schooled however they can end up doing this scurry movement sometimes during canter its not a true canter schooled gait ....then you need a lil more experience to ride it

[@gilliangirl1]

Same. I just can't seem to get it. My poor horse!

[@holly6931]

Literally same lol

[@livvydraws-v7n]

Same, but my horse is always bouncy. Even at the trot. Still love him tho 😂

[@comesahorseman]

At my age, I prefer a lope! And, a Western saddle! 😅 If I'm understanding you, you're using the motion of your hips (not the lower back) to absorb the energy of the hindquarters. Worth trying!

[@jasimaine9682]

Watching this made me realise I’ve accidentally been doing the correct thing 😂 happy to know

[@soleilequestrian8856]

OMG THIS HELPED ME SOOOO MUCH THANKYOU PLEASE KEEP MAKING THESE VIDEOS!!!!!!!!!!😁😁😁😁

[@jamesmcdermott5048]

It seems stirrup adjustment is critical with little ones. Moving from sitting trot to canter and back to sitting trot it is too easy for them to lose their stirrups..

[@rebeccahubbell6967]

James McDermott that means their leg isn’t steady and they probably should be working more on their leg before going to the canter. Even taking away the stirrups and having the student stretch their leg down and practice balancing at a walk and then even a trot on the lunge line. Think of a dressage rider and how they keep their leg long and steady.

[@jamesmcdermott5048]

@@rebeccahubbell6967 Thanks!

[@mishaelwilson2257]

You are a good Horse rider

[@shamma7897]

thank you so much

[@janiczkahell]

What helped me not to be scared of canter was a horse with a nice and comfortable transition from trot to canter. 🙂

[@zurabchincharadze3161]

Wonderfull explanation! thank you very much

[@OliveDeuce]

I love your horse he looks so stocky and cute

[@rebeccapenrod3895]

This helped me very much

[@staffordhyman5688]

Thanks

[@francischoo1812]

Good demo. Really trying to do canter better.

[@louisetrimble3490]

Adding a bit more, being allowed to lean back a bit behind the vertical while holding onto pommel. Once rider feels the flow adjustment to stirrups can begin.

[@trolloftheyear7963]

Leaning to ride the canter bareback is the best way to find your balance and move with the horse. My riding only improved once I stopped using a saddle all the time..

[@terrypuch1443]

And if you don't trust your one & only horse to ride bareback..... I used to ride bareback a lot when I was a little bit younger and you're right about improving skills without relying on tack. I rode MUCH better then. Unfortunately I only have that one horse and I know my riding would be right back where it used to be if I could ride him bareback now. Just not an option at the moment, darn it.

[@Robin-sb7vu]

Wonderful Thank You!

[@paulmorgan3434]

I also feel out of control on the canter and as soon as it’s mentioned that I’m Cantering at next corner I’m stressed already and bounce in the saddle , what ever I’ve tried for many years I just can’t get it , I wish I could !

[@ivyripple7695]

My teacher hates it when my legs are moving around in the trot. She wants them very stabilized like a statue. Does this matter in a canter?

[@ClaireDoesTooMuch]

omg this is so helpful thank you!

[@lgarg73]

Also...I feel like my booty slaps the saddle to much. Is that common in a flat seat? Is semi deep better?

[@gingercox6468]

For me the best way to learn was no rein on a lunge line arms out at shoulder, advanced was no stirrups

[@christinepeniaranda6513]

I felt better learning bareback at the canter

[@sridhar21s]

I have a question on cantering. Should we be using our feet (legs) to absorb some of the impact that arises from the cantering movement? Or should we try to cushion all the impact using the thighs?

[@dionpsari5500]

I am really new to riding, just a few months, and I haven't managed to canter yet. What I think, and maybe that's wrong, is that in order to canter, you have to be really good in the sitting trot. I feel that if you master that, canter comes easier.... Am I right or wrong....?

[@cutiefox6455]

How’s your riding now?

[@elliothill9511]

im pretty sure your riding english i ride western do these tips go the same with western?

[@Bekahsassy]

Wow! so many instructions for a simple learning how to Canter your horse. The only way you will learn is to get on a safe your you trust and go for it. If you have to slow down, just pull the reins or if your horse is like mind listens to the whoa! your fine. Geez so many people have allot of super important to do this or that, but get on your horse and do it or else you will never get anywhere. I'm in my mid mid 40's and started ridding on a young 4.5 year old Mare who only got 2 months of saddle training, super sweat, who had more stop then go, then turned into a horse that had awhile of go then stop, lol.. I then started to learn on a horse that was well trained and could take all my BS beginner mistakes and that would keep me safe no matter what I did, learned how to Canter on him, a few strides at the time until I could Canter fully. If I can do it, then anyone can, just cannot let fear get the best of you.

[@manclass3]

Your comment has really helped me, ive just about got rising trot nailed and ive been wasting so much time watching canter videos, i need to go for it ya? At least to know the movement right? Then adjust my body with theory ?

[@jamesmcdermott5048]

Question? I notice your 'heels' are back and up slightly. I am more comfortable, and have less upper body movement with my heels slightly forward and down. I don't 'scoop?', and the canter is smooth. Is this because I am 6' tall and weigh 210 lbs? Depending on which way I am going, (circle), Rein lead, outside foot is at the girth, inside is slightly behind, w/light leg squeeze along with inside and outside rein touch and we move from sitting trot to canter? Then I sit back and 'thigh' squeeze to move back to trot...Do you understand what I am asking? PS: First thing my Grandfather taught was "Heels Down". I notice the younger, smaller children have difficulty with this. What are your thoughts?

[@kmiklaszewski]

Have you watch the videos from the free online workshop? Their is some great information on some of this and especially on myths of heels down. It’s linked from her last video.

[@jamesmcdermott5048]

@@kmiklaszewski Thank you, I will look into that.. ;-)

[@kimbrake9269]

I am fine sitting the slow lope but when I go to the fast extended lope I have problems. Can you give me any advise on how to sit it better. I feel like I am bouncing all over the place. Thanks

[@annasmelody]

I have Always Had problems especially with the trot to canter Transitions and canter to trot. However i found that when i Had improved my sitting trot, riding the canter also became much easier. but i think when i first started riding the canter was also introduced as a scooping Motion to me..., now i also think it is more of a Swing ..however me personally i also have to take care not to ride with a stiff Back.. Love your Videos! Always find them so helpful and interesting! 🐴💕

[@RoRshowjumping]

I sit up and i kinda go up abd sway back and then repeat but like its hard to explain

[@IIIRikaIII]

"put your weight into the stirrups" is the key... teacher said.

[@kaitlin_6180]

I have a hard time getting my heels Down in the canter.

[@louisetrimble3490]

Sorry, to disagree Callie, but as a dressage rider and teacher of 50 years, you looked pretty good when you scooped! You cannot ride good tempi changes if the horse is able to toss you out of the saddle. The most helpful to me is releasing the thigh as the horse tips to his front end and he will then carry your seat in the next phase. Teaching beginners to feel this is best done on lunge without stirrups after mastering the sitting trot as feel of the relaxed flexibility of the hip joint is the key

[@brigittedrew7823]

I like to think of opening my hips. Keeps me from gripping the saddle with my thighs

[@rachelhill5954]

But your leg is so much more still when you do the scooping motion... When you were"swinging" your lower leg is moving so much... no hate... I'm just wondering why?

[@emilylipsitz]

How many horses do you own?

[@user-jk5kn4dq1e]

Change saddle and lengthen your stirrup and try again you are moving way too much . This is a excellent jumping seat but you would be judged hard in dressage or the show ring for your position

[@gymhard777]

How to move/ride back to horse

[@lgarg73]

I love going fast and actually get told to use a shorter rein...am I crazy?!😈😈 I feel like I should be afraid...and I'm not. I sad I actually get told to slow down. Anyone else feel me?🤷‍♀️

[@muhammadzohaib9685]

With the swing you are obviously getting thrown out of ur seat and thumping on the horses back! the scoop seems quiter. I find myself more balanced in the scooping as well

[@mohammedh4794]

There is a very thin line of difference between the two. I Guess you have shown it in enough limelight to be noticed and rectified by the riders.

[@kayevogus8354]

“Yes it is” lol

[@sharroon7574]

Your horse is so cute, I just want to snuggle him or her.

[@user-uz7dy5vi7u]

i tried to ride different horses so i could get cnater good

[@idaalm6918]

you bounce a lot on the horse's back

[@lgarg73]

I'm *

[@sammerahman2758]

I cant relax my Back at the time of Canter...

[@lgarg73]

Too*

[@silverkitty2503]

the canter is the easiest gait to ride... its easier than the walk....

[@ajourneys-end3723]

What is the deal with your lower leg? It's all over the place. Maybe teach from the ground....don't show everyone that you really are not a great rider.