The Canter Trot Transition

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Common Mistakes in the canter-trot
The canter trot transition is a difficult and important transition to master in Dressage and it even shows up in the Grand Prix! This transition is an important test of throughness and suppleness and while this seems like a simple transition, a lot can go wrong during this transition.
Some common mistakes in the canter-trot transition are:
Horse looses rhythm
Horse hollows back and raises the head
Rider pulls and leans forward
Horse looses impulsion and stops in the transition
Horse drops the poll too low
Horse slows down in the canter before trotting
All of these common mistakes are an evasion of the horse not wanting to stay engaged and pushing with the hind end. Here are some solutions and ways that you can fix the canter-trot transition:
Ask for the transition on a circle line and keep the bend
Yield the hind end out during the transition
Be patient - let the horse find their way into the trot
Don’t lock up the hands - this will cause the horse to stop in the transition
If the transition sucks, fix the trot. Don’t give up.
If the horse doesn’t want to trot, make it difficult for the horse to keep cantering by going onto a small circle, over bending the horse and pushing the haunches out until the horse trots.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Who else has been in a competition and not been able to get the horse to trot after the canter work?? So embarrassing!!

[@2hrsgrl]

Amelia Newcomb Dressage it happened to me! He cantered many circles when we were supposed to trot a stretchy circle!

[@francescaweeks6382]

That's about to be me at our first show I think!

[@terryluzader5852]

I got mine to a down transition however it looked terrible. Thank you for the great video.

[@danw6014]

I saw Ray at a clinic in Ann Arbor Michigan which was one of the last clinics he did. I also have a picture of Ray sitting with my mentor on a hay stack taken so time in the late 80s. The quote from Ray is one of my favorites. I think about it often. What a great video. I love watching horses make good changes.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

How cool that you got to see him in a clinic. I never had that opportunity but read a lot about him and studied with Buck Brannaman.

[@danw6014]

@@AmeliaNewcombDressage it was very cool. He was very soft spoken. My mentor had some video of Ray starting this little colt. It gave me a piece I was missing while starting my thoroughbred. I wish I could get my hands on that video now.

[@mmcavoy100]

Yes I know of Ray Hunt and that expression he used. He passed it down to Buck Brannaman and Mark Rashid - two contemporary masters of natural horsemanship. Ii've been lucky enough to audit Buck's clinic, and to participate in one of Mark's clinic. Their combined wisdom changed the way I think about relational work with horses!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Buck is great. I attended many of his clinics in Colorado and worked for his sister in law for several years!

[@eliara-thevoice8430]

A friend sent me Ray Hunt's book. Another sent me Branamann"s book. I have great friends.

[@dianad26]

@@AmeliaNewcombDressage did you work for Mindy?!

[@RoostsRootsandHorseshoes]

That was awesome Amelia! Thanks!! I have a gelding who is hot at the canter and loves to go and not stop. The more contact I have on his mouth, the faster he goes, so if I use my body and voice to ask him to slow down he does ok to slow down but not always. I cant wait to try this idea with him! Thanks

[@rowanwhiteley592]

Loving your videos! Been laid up in bed for 6 weeks so far with a broken neck from falling of my horse while training x they have kept me sane and giving me my horse fix x

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

So sorry to hear about your injury! Hope you heal quickly and can get back in the saddle soon!

[@desenvolvimentoagalope1867]

Hi, my name is Rafael. I'm psychologist and horseman from Brasil. Just want to say that this channel is amazing and i've been learning a lot with u! Thanks and congratulation

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Glad it is helpful!! Thank you!

[@markbrown7693]

I have so embarrassing!! So easy to make the horse off the leg in the transition instead of pulling with the hands. Great video 😍

[@sharonconroy4057]

Got it yes ..I have ray hunt book....👍🇦🇺✨

[@jacekgrabowski7508]

Amelia, you are great in exlaining as your instructions are detailed and complex pointing to sensitive phases. And you give all of yourself.Great. thank you sincerely. Jack, Poland

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thank you so much!

[@stronginthesaddle]

That's amazing that you got to work with Ray Hunt. He's a legend.

[@susannhussels7445]

I know that there is a reason why I like your channel and your riding so much, you worked with Ray Hunt 😊

[@sueschmitz2170]

Thank you for the timely video, this has been quite the struggle for my mare and I. We currently have a bit of a setback, as she is recuperating from a back injury, but I am watching many of your videos now while she is down so that I can build her back up properly to avoid future injury.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Good luck with a speedy recovery! Sometimes a break and a chance to "start over" is a good thing!

[@Foodforyousoul]

ray Hunt is amaZing as is Tom Dorrance. They truly were amazing horsemen,

[@michellehovanek3441]

Always enjoy your videos. Very impressed that you work with Ray Hunt!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

He was a true horseman!!

[@ptowey5298]

I love your teaching, you really simplify and 2 or corrections of a problem.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

So glad you like them! Please subscribe- it helps me a lot and you never miss a video :)

[@katiemyers9360]

Thank you for this video. I'm riding an ex foxhunter who barrels along at the canter. I'll try this out.

[@kellyandthehorses2877]

Can you talk about things we can do to help the horse if it drops the inside shoulder during the canter?

[@lindav3747]

pretty amazing balancing with the blocks at the end!! This entire video is really good and clear. Thank you

[@kingtroopy8633]

Great video this is exactly what struggles I'm having with my horse atm thankyou 🙌

[@lindav3747]

Visiting this video again since I have this problem in the down transition. I think I tense up and tilt a bit forward. I will try doing canter on circles [I have rarely done that which is probably a big reason for the problem]. and work on keeping him bending and pushing his haunches out. Thankyou!

[@Kelly_Ben]

I'll try that 10 meter circle pushing haunches out on my hot mare! I've gotten into the habit of strong pulls on the inside rein to get her to transition downward, because she just wants to GO. But you're right... there's no future there.

[@LanternLighterRanch]

That must be one of the reasons I enjoy you so much!! Love Ray Hunt! Thank you for sharing.

[@eileensteere4713]

I have struggled with this. This really helps! Thanks!

[@lynnestruck]

Great video! Now I know what my trainer was asking for in the canter/trot transition! Thanks!😊

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kimelliott3687]

Awesome! Just the tips I needed, can’t wait to try and see how we go. Thanks Amelia❤️👌

[@karenb9359]

Love these videos! I noticed that generally the PRE tucks his head and almost touches his shoulder with his mouth at times. Your black horse is in a frame with the poll at the highest point, which is what my trainer is having me work towards so my horse doesn't get balled up. Any suggestions to help me get my horse into that more open frame while still keeping him using his back and topline muscles? Thanks, Amelia!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Shoulder-fore and shoulder-in will help

[@karenschloesser1629]

How do i get a lazy horse on the bit????? My horse surely has sore gums by now....!!!

[@magdadaek1826]

I had a privilege of meeting Ray Hunt in person some time ago in the UK :)

[@michelekanefsky7511]

Wow 🤩 Ray Hunt the legend! Very helpful vid! Thank you!

[@Katkaxxxxx]

Very helpful exercise 'canter to trot transition'. Love your toilet roll challenge xx

[@katysommers119]

Another really helpful video! Are you timing the moment you ask for the downward transition at a specific time in the canter, such as when the forehand is off the ground or ? any other specific timing?

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

That's a great question Katy! I'm going to answer that one in my LIVE tonight because I think others will enjoy it too. Be sure to tune in :)

[@ptowey5298]

Is it something physical, stiffness, tightness somewhere that he wants to do it wrong? Can using your back to slow him a bit when asking for transition.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Half halts are definitely helpful to prepare for a transition!

[@tanon2703]

You have great timing with your videos. And thank you again for featuring a PRE. Having reduced our canter velocity, I am now working with my PRE on polishing transitions. I felt like I was watching my own fellow brace, lurch, and fall down into a transition. I was trying the small circle figure last night. I was looking for a possible solution to the fact that he rather keep cantering than transition and without my having to resort to any kind of pulling. So thank you, again, for posting some a great options just as I need them. 😊👍🐴

[@brendadevin9779]

Just wondering if you could talk about straightness - I have a short backed horse and crookedness is an easy out for her - she is very quick ! Some exercises to help me help her would be very helpful - thanks in advance for your knowledge

[@joelynnewcomb7390]

Hi Brenda, Amelia did a zoom call on horse and rider straightness. It’s on the patreon site. It was really good. I think you have to donate $5 to see that. Email me if you have issues. [e-mail]

[@katharinemagor3596]

I was told my California thoroughbred was started by Ray Hunt as a 5 year old. As hot and spooky as she could be sometimes, she always trusted her rider and never did anything to hurt me, like buck under saddle. I always credited that to her good start.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

How cool!!

[@hallaf3140]

Amazing i really love horses keep going!

[@susie7035]

How beautiful is he !

[@sheilabuschette7648]

Very helpful and love the jacket!

[@naunettemartin7450]

How do you get a horse to canter.think you can you tell me thank you

[@icyclipper]

Awesome video!

[@christinemurray8542]

We’re you watching my ride this afternoon?😀 Canter to trot on the diagonal was very challenging today. In his defense we had a serious change in the weather. Cold and rainy here in Seattle.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

😂😂😂

[@AdvancedPhysio-RideAdvanced]

would you change anything for a young horse?

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

The same for a young horse!!

[@wendylow5748]

The video is helpful in the information, but why is your horse so far behind the verticle?

[@snickercappydo]

My horse won’t even canter from the trot. He has to do it from the walk. I know what’s going on though. He drops his left shoulder so he has trouble cantering left. If I lift the shoulder he can do it. To the right is a little easier. He trots when I ask for the down transition but then rushes. Do have any exercises to help this? Also I’ve noticed doing these transitions in a corner help.

[@dzjaag6148]

Could you describe approximately how much weight (grams, kilograms) do you feel in your hands when teaching such exercises?

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

It depends on the horse. But I like my horses as light as possible with still having a feel of them. Maybe 1-2 pounds

[@melissastauffer691]

Thank you, thank you. I can’t wait to try your tips. 😊

[@mayoser1209]

What did you mean by "Pushing the hips out?" Please answer! Thanks in advance! PS: Beautiful horse!!

[@joannatuczynska3508]

How about canter to sitting trot transition...? Rising trot is not a problem...

[@jonathandanielson363]

Thank you

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

YOu're welcome Jonathan, and thanks for watching!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Also, if you want to really get clarity, understanding, and progress on your dressage journey, sign up to my FREE webinar on the Dressage Training Scale on March 13th. www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar I’m also on FB and IG (you might already know all this but I'm being super thorough today!) facebook.com/amelianewcombdressage & instagram.com/amelianewcombdressage/ Also, and this is super helpful too, join Amelia’s Dressage Club on Facebook, it’s a really active and engaged community of riders and no question goes unanswered! facebook.com/groups/ameliasdressageclub/ And finally, there’s my website! www.amelianewcombdressage.com/ And you can also sign up here for weekly dressage tips sent to your inbox www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/subscribe/ Ok that’s the lot I promise. Have an awesome day! 🐴

[@cinnamonminiminimminimon6744]

Thank you for help! ❤️

[@sabinelloyd8532]

Nice video but I am wondering why your horse is behind the vertical much of the time? I am an older rider and we had it drummed into us that the horse must be on or in front of the vertical at all times. My horse has a big under neck which she sometimes uses to brace herself. My instructor wants me to ride her slightly behind the vertical. Can you explain? I ride in the Netherlands and it is easier to understand in English

[@eliara-thevoice8430]

Ray Hunt is awesome.

[@anna-karinwiklund3216]

Amazing, good!!!

[@parvej_khan0003]

Hi Ma'am, so good videos, I'm your big fan , your technics is so good

[@johannavogt1458]

Why do you ride your horses so much being the vertical?

[@flipflopcat1754]

What breed is he?

[@IntegratedEquineLLC]

What is a PRE?

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

It stands for Pura Rasa Espana, commonly called an Andalusian horse

[@naunettemartin7450]

I like it

[@dharmarachuri2821]

2.30 super raiding

[@Dayroom]

I have the opportunity of having a 30,000 show Arabian who was saddle seat for my lessons. He’s a super zippy horse so I’m definitely going to be taking him into the 12 meter circle

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

What an awesome opportunity Addi! Thanks for watching, and don’t forget to subscribe to get notified of my new weekly content! You can sign up to get my weekly dressage tips here! bit.ly/3FE0y8c

[@dharmarachuri2821]

I like horse i like raiding

[@verasid5126]

Valiant effort but you need better VFX to paint out the wire holding your toilet paper 😁

[@scottiehall8695]

Are you wasting Toilet Paper?!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Haha! No! Don't worry. It was still useable after the challenge 😂😂😂

[@scottiehall8695]

@@AmeliaNewcombDressage I'd still use it. a little dirt won't hurt my hiney.