The Trot Canter Transition: Common Mistakes and Fixes

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#canter #equestrian #horses
The trot-canter transition is one of the most difficult transitions for horse and rider as the horse must go from a 2 beat trot rhythm into a 3 beat canter gait. Here are some of the most common mistakes riders make in the trot-canter transition.
1. Not enough energy in the trot - often riders will ask the horse to canter from a slow trot that does not have enough energy. While an advanced horse that understands collection may pick up the canter from a slow trot, a green horse will have trouble and may come above the bit in the transition or just trot faster instead of picking up the canter. The more forward energy in the trot, the easier it is to get into the canter!
2. Incorrect rider position - Often riders that have generally good positions at the trot, completely loose their position when it comes time for the canter. Because the canter can be exciting and terrifying, riders often lean forward, curl up their leg, and pull back on the reins when their horse canters. It is important to maintain the correct position and proper alignment so the rider can properly go with the motion of the horse and not frighten the horse by leaning forward and pulling!
3. Too much outside leg, not enough inside leg - We all know that the cue for the canter is the outside leg back behind the girth. The inside leg also plays an important role in giving the impulsion for the canter. The outside leg indicates the lead and the inside leg gives the impulsion for the canter. Both legs are important to lift the horse into the canter.
4. Not keeping the horse organized - it is essential to keep the horse in the same frame, on the same line of travel and relaxed during the transition into canter. Often horses will put their head up, fall in or fall out, or become tense and nervous during the transition. The rider’s job is to help the horse stay organized
Here is a great exercise to help your horse pick up the canter:
Go up the 1/4 line and leg-yield to the rail off the inside leg
When you reach the rail, ask the horse to canter and immediately go onto a 20 meter circle
This exercise will help to get the horse prepared to canter by getting the horse off of the inside leg and into the outside rein. Be sure to keep the forward impulsion in the trot leg-yield to have enough energy for the canter transition at the end!
Happy Riding!
Amelia

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

What is your most common mistake in the canter transition?! Did I miss any?

[@nicolepowers9194]

Being tense in my back and too loose in my hand. I ride a hot mare and she likes to run into the canter. I'm too scared to ask for a faster trot at times as she can get away from me.

[@lindsay3917]

I've seen a lot of videos on trot-canter transitions but none on canter-trot transitions! I'd love to see a video about how to properly bring a horse from canter to trot without just pulling on the reins.

[@MrLoilax]

Number #2 and #3 are my common mistakes. Thank you again. These are really informative and easy to understand videos.

[@MiniNanami]

I would love to see what would need to be done if I transition from canter to trot and can't sit the trot anymore without almost being lifted out of the saddle

[@Igiuviygjih]

I’m way too bouncy

[@gurunpetursdottir8360]

I have a five gaited Icelandic horse. When I ask him to canter he likes to go into pace. This exercise really helped. Thank you 💚

[@ylena325]

Exactly why I’m watching this too!

[@letsnotgohome1314]

I crunch and I cant stop it! so frustrating as my heels come up and I often lose a stirrup.

[@CDN_Bookmouse]

Based on my experience as a rider, the crunching up is an instinct either of fear or of trying to push the horse into the canter, like feeling like you need to use more of your body because you can't do it with just your legs. If it's the latter, remember that you don't have to be stronger with your leg. Apply more of the inside of your leg to the horse (like you're giving it a hug with your lower leg), and then go to your crop. I have to really catch myself when I try to find leverage in my body to be stronger with my leg, and it always throws my position all out of whack. I think it's more commonly a fear response because the canter is fast and big and if you're having trouble with it it can be very intimidating. If you're losing a stirrup, I would suspect that you're pinching with your knee. I suspect this because it's exactly what I do lol. Any time you lose a stirrup, take it as a cue to check your joints for tension. Start with your knee because that's usually the culprit, but see if you're stiffening in your hip or ankle. Check your lower back muscles for tension as well. You sound a lot like me, so check those knees first! If you're feeling anxious about the canter, do an exercise that lets you feel more in control. If you feel more comfortable on a circle, then practice on a circle. If you can only hold your courage for a few strides, just do a long side of the arena--or even just a short side! One good stride that builds your confidence will do you more good than three laps of disorganized, jarring cantering that freaks you out. Really try to open through your chest and hips. Your lizard-brain won't want to let you, so keep breathing and practice at the trot. Keep checking in on your hips and knees for tension. I used to get tense just THINKING about cantering, even if I was at home! Try to stay open and soft, and try to embrace that first big step rather than trying to duck down and hide from it. It's helpful to me to think of it like a wave. If you've ever been to a wave pool or in the ocean, a wave will come and you can feel how powerful it is. It lifts you up--but then it lets you back down. So let yourself be lifted and moved by the horse's stride. If you stay relaxed and move with it, it can't push you out of the saddle. When you tense up and try to hold on with your knees or by trying to hold your hips still, it can start to push you around. If you tried to tense up in the ocean, you'd just feel out of control and might get scared. But if you relax and let yourself rise and fall with the waves, you'll stay floating on top of the water. Hope that helps!

[@phburdett]

Bookmouse already gave you some great advice. I would add that a good lunge lesson would reslly help you, either on your horse (if he is trained to lunge) or on a well trained lunge lesson horse. That would allow you to just focus on maintaining your position and relaxation and learning to go happily forward into the canter with the horse - surf that wave!

[@jeanettebremer6070]

Try a different saddle. I’ve had similar issues and finally found a saddle that works for me and I don’t loose my stirrup any more!!

[@letsnotgohome1314]

Thanks for peoples replies! I've got a rider biomechanics coach since I posted and some things helping are: my thigh is angle out too much. I physically grab and turn my thigh so my knees are pointing forward more at the start of each ride. Less weight in stirrups! Trying to put extra weight in stirrups to fix the problem was just pinging me out of the saddle. Instead rising as though my knees are in jump cups. And thinking toes up. The saddle definitely effects that angle of my thigh out of my hip so I've just found a nice saddle that doesn't negatively effect this issue too! Woohoo. Love feeling on the right track

[@joelynnewcomb7390]

What a great helpful video. You are so right about articulating the common mistakes. This will help my teaching. It is so great to have a daughter that I learn from! Love, Mom.

[@CDN_Bookmouse]

The feels are real T_T

[@angelikaharoon7421]

Ma gosh 😍😍🤭

[@melmao878]

the most wholesome comment i’ve ever come across 😭❤️

[@benitascott3533]

Good on you Mum! Fabulous to c u active in the saddle too & learning too. And with 2 experts in the famly you have a ĺeg up, so to speak. In fact since you created them both, you likely have the underlying genes for riding successes anyway!! 💝🐎🙏

[@cleonadonnelly3331]

I'm sure you must get this all the time but I cannot stress how useful your videos are as an animation resource. Clear shots, multiple repetitions from different angles and commentary describing exactly what is happening from an expert point of view. I might not be the intended audience but this is exactly what I have been looking for for my equine based animation exercises!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thanks for the kind words

[@writerinrwanda]

I lose my body position ☺ I grew up riding but haven't for years. Hoping to get back in the saddle for a beach ride tomorrow and would love to canter. I was just looking up videos to remind myself what to do and that made me laugh. I'm terrible for leaning forward to ask for canter. But just watching someone transition well helps, it instils it in your mind and gives you time to process the correct way of doing things. Really helpful. Thanks for covering this.

[@viviennebarclay9519]

Love this. I have an ex racer and loved the tip on leg yield. Especially interesting about most horses leaning on the right rein. Especially ex racers since over here they race left! Thanks so much :)

[@natashayorath2782]

This is so amazingly helpful. I love the fact you are explaining exactly what my legs are supposed to be doing as well as my seat and reins. Sooo great 🎉Thank you 😊

[@dashacutler1861]

Amelia, thank you so much, accidentally found your videos, love your simple clear explanations! One thought I also found useful to "calm down" the seat before the depart and avoid the jumping forward mistake is pretending to sit on a carousel horse. How carousel horses would "see-saw" under the children but nothing happens to the saddle a child is sitting in. So thinking as if I "push the button" - give the aids and just wait for my "carousel horse" to start the movement underneath me. And do my best to follow of course right away but still continue to think of a carousel. :)

[@sylviadiprisco2956]

Great video - loved how quietly you performed all the transitions and didn't ask until the horse was all put together. I have used the leg yield exercise before and it's also great for horses who have trouble getting the correct lead in a certain direction like an OTTB who is used to mostly going only one way. Thanks.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Yes! I love the leg yield to canter!

[@ninahalvorson9451]

Amelia, I loved your leg yield to canter transition. My instructor some years ago engrained to me to ask for the hip to step just slightly to the outside and fill the outside rein, then cue with my seat. So this exercise is very similar and takes the concept a but father and more.confirmation of the aid and really helping them set up without getting counter bent, which I find happens on occasion the way that I have been doing it Great video thanks so much!

[@danw6014]

I am always struggling with with this transition and correct lead. I absolutely love the leg yielding exercise you showed. I learned that from my mentor and should practice it more. One thing my mentor would sometimes tell riders who might be a little fearful of this transition, don't think about canter, think about trotting faster. Thank you for the video. It reminded me of some things my lost teacher showed me, of a clinic I really struggled riding in where both my leopard Appy and I ended up being winners.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thank you Dan for the great input! I think everyone has struggled with this transition at one time or another!

[@patricialeighty1614]

You are just an amazing teacher..because of you I now Canter and have been stuck on good transitions . This was perfect help. Thank you.

[@Amblynone]

Helpful video, would like to request a part 2 for timing of when to ask, i.e. per what hoof is where & learning how much timing is needed for the ask to go through and be implemented by the horse. This would be great for all gaits/transitions up AND down (& flying changes).

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Good idea!

[@carolinecrosby1649]

this would be awesome

[@eliara-thevoice8430]

Extremely helpful. I have an OTTB. She can be very spicy. She tends to want to shoulder in and move laterally in the canter. She would much prefer to gallop. LOL... I call her move the race horse gig....as this is how race horses move to the gate when being led by another horse. We are working on balance and collection. Thank you so much for the fantastic videos.

[@michaelschulze6545]

I am a western rider. Everything you explain I recognize from my riding. I like your show.

[@kelliekaspriske9314]

Super helpful. I struggle so much in these transitions. Thank you so much for all you do to help riders like me

[@margaretburckard6684]

The inside leg gives the impulsion is exactly the advice I needed to correct my difficulties in getting my horse to canter. We would just run faster and faster normally. Like a speedy trot

[@annabauer5601]

I love your videos ! My horse throws his head when I ask him to canter.I am going to try to get more impulsion. Thanks for the tips!

[@CloseToExtinction]

I think you are the best "horse" teacher on KZbin.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thank you!

[@elisabethblack3151]

This post is a year and half old, but I thought I'd comment anyway. Thank you for sharing your great videos, they are really helpful! I'm so guilty of #2 - I tend to push my horse into the canter by leaning forward like when we are hacking up hills. It works fine on terrain, but not at all in the arena. As he is still a little green and Dressage is new for me, we also get bouncy and disorganized after I've confused him and he gets desperate to try ANYTHING to please me. He's such a saint, I just want to be the best for him. Your videos are awesome.

[@joannatuczynska3508]

Well, I love to ask for canter from very slow trot or even from stop. Very often when I wait for friends whose horses are slow, I stop my horse and when they come to me, I immediately ask for canter. Horses love it :)

[@cindynoble2037]

Wow, that tail !!! Thank you, Amelia !!

[@barbaralippert9639]

Thanks for your amazing videos- they are very helpful! I am training on a large Irish sport horse who tends to be too fast up front, so my trainer often tells me to slow her way down before I ask for the canter (so as not to have her run into the canter). She also often says, "feel the canter in the walk or trot" which I find to be a helpful mental exercise as I prepare for the canter. I know I am guilty of leaning forward and tensing up when I ask for the canter! You make it look effortless!

[@dani2885]

Thank you!! I always struggle with this transition 😆

[@eileen2041]

Great explanation and examples! Thanks so much!

[@helenwimpress4617]

This is really helpful Amelia. Thank you. 👍😁

[@Hannah-rd3ce]

I haven't been able to canter too much yet, but I wanted to do more research on it and this helps a lot!! Thanks!!

[@brennahc2003]

This video is SO helpful!!! Excited to try this exercise!

[@debraallen5588]

That was the most helpful video I've ever watched. Can't wait to try

[@lindaclark1421]

Thankyou Amelia awesome video so clearly explained.

[@robyncarroll9928]

Thank you once again for a humble informative correctional video. Sydney Australia

[@ruththompson7379]

Thank you Amelia, I’ve have just recently subscribed to your channel and I’m really enjoying it and finding your training methods so helpful. Happy Easter from Australia! 🐣

[@lupaterus1]

Thanks Amelia..will practise the exercise tomorrow...cant wait!

[@ebonynewell639]

Can’t wait to try this!

[@honorajacob7003]

Yep. I make all the mistakes you discuss. Can't wait to implement these fixes this evening. Especially the leg yield to canter transition. Your videos are much appreciated.

[@hiddenacresmi]

I do all those mistakes. Very helpful

[@shelleymcilmoyl1702]

Thank you Amelia your instructions are so easy to understand. I can't wait to get to the barn and try what you have suggested. Also can't wait to view all your videos.

[@pjstar2009]

Yes, thank you, I will try this tomorrow!

[@simons1543]

So so informative. Thank you Amelia. Really gonna work on this stuff

[@tanjagratza]

Really helpful as always. Thanks so much for the great content. Regards, Tanja

[@tommangan3675]

Great demonstration Amelia and particularly the leg yield prior to the transition to canter. 😊👍

[@CH-ki1ti]

Horse: so..it’s one of these days when she talks to herself and loses the ability to ride...

[@user-wk6vf2wk7x]

Is this hate?

[@dead_accounttt]

@@user-wk6vf2wk7x Don’t believe so.

[@melie.3708]

@@user-wk6vf2wk7x bruh

[@Cmartin621]

😂😂

[@lisawest9731]

So... no intelligent feedback here. Go away

[@FireflyNight]

Oml I want to cry thank you so much! I had a really horrible lesson where the instructor kept yelling at me “use your leg!” Over and over and I could not understand what she was trying to say because I thought I was. Didn’t realise you have to use both legs. God I feel so stupid now. I’m also guilty of tensing up but I find I’m only tense for the transition but actually have a decent seat when I am cantering.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

So great to hear you had an aha! moment from this video! Happy riding!

[@melanietumminello6562]

Thank you sooooo much for showing body position so clearly--right and wrong. It seems so difficult to get anyone to clarify exactly WHAT you do, how MUCH you do of it, and WHEN you do it, and you do exactly that. My horse thanks you!

[@dedeemilnes5920]

Thank you wonderful video so clear for a green rider like me💕

[@nicolewarwick1384]

This video was *so* helpful! I watched it last night and had a much better lesson today. The one that made a real difference was your advice about how to use the outside and inside leg. And the faster trot and sitting up were also super helpful!

[@tiffanyquinn7379]

Thank you! Going to try this tomorrow.

[@kimhennecke]

All of it...I do all of those mistakes. Thank you so much for the clear and concise narration and video.

[@susangillham8771]

Hi Amelia, I make all those mistakes sometime separately and in combination. This is really helpful and I will try the leg yield to canter pattern this week. Thanks, Susan

[@los210]

Your videos are really helpful! 🙏 Thank you 🙏

[@katherinetaylor7240]

Great video! This is what my horse and I are working on currently so quite well timed. I think keeping organized is my biggest challenge as my horse is 2000lbs with a surprisingly uphill canter.

[@EquineG]

Thank you Amelia!

[@gwenbouvier]

Very helpful, thanks! Yep did almost all of those haha. Now to also get that leg yield going... Thanks again for posting this. You have great posture and balance.

[@sylviawong2292]

Great topic well explained. I’m still struggling with this but no longer just a hope and a prayer. 🙄

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

😂😂😂.

[@equestrianlife_2069]

Thank you so much for explaining the part about not changing position when doing the transition I always do that and my pony is such a good boy that he responds like I want but I never knew I was doing it wrong thank you sooooooo much!!!

[@Lynne2106]

I make all those mistakes most of the time. This video was really helpful. Great content! Thank you!

[@kathryngrauert3490]

Thanks, really helpful! I am a tipper to the front, and I like that exercise as well.

[@Miss-Laine]

Fantastic information! I only wish I could remember all of that when I am riding lol

[@claireryan7553]

Super helpful. I think I make most/all of those mistakes. Plenty for me to work on.

[@castrolousada]

Very goog teaching! Thank you!

[@dianeurich9979]

Very helpful. I am an older rider who used to be fearless but struggles with this now after a young horse bucking me off. This is very helpful especially the leg yield to canter!

[@LisaPanton]

Great exercise to try - very helpful. Thank you

[@luciemarinov3853]

this video is very helpful to me because I do have trouble with this canter transitions.

[@crazycanuck8120]

Super helpful to watch. I’ve been told this movement by other instructors to he,p with the canter aid. Especially when it’s the side they have a harder time pickup the correct lead, Thanks Amelia for demonstrating the common mistakes and proper transition!! 💕🐴💕

[@leec5170]

If only I could ride that well! Great lesson!

[@jeanneweber9305]

Very helpful, thank you.

[@abdullahilawal9830]

I am still learning to balance but definitely keep it in mind... tnx fr d tips

[@kimberleyfanning9200]

thanks great tips. I have a young horse. I think this will really help

[@Spike-ri6pg]

Great advice and helpful visuals, thanks!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Awesome! If you haven't already, check out my latest challenge that's open for enrollment NOW: amelianewcombdressage.com/30-days-to-round/

[@heatherkirby-tn9xi]

Yes, very helpful! I have made all of these mistakes at one time or another.

[@deborahanderson1966]

I defiantly pull my knees up and lean forward. Such a bad habit. I really appreciate your videos.

[@aveyav625]

This was so helpful, thank you a ton!!!!!

[@bellasbunniesnmore8390]

Tysm! This was very much needed

[@chanteldrago1769]

I do all 3 mistakes! 😟. This video is incredibly helpful!

[@yellowrose9355]

Beautiful video! Most important you were very articulate in explaining the aids you used! 3 Cheers! Your mom & dad must be very proud. You've had some excellent instruction. And you were clever enough to benefit from it.

[@AlexA-rl1qb]

I love your videos, they are immensely helpful! I go into my ride with all your amazing tips then quickly forget as I have to ride the horse I’ve got for the day :) that’s green horses for you! Keep up the videos!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Glad you like them!

[@cristinamoyano9365]

Very helpful . Now I know how to correct my mistakes.

[@sophiaequestrian7962]

Thank you so much Amelia! I’m a young rider, not doing dressage but jumping. I just started about a month ago and something I learned was to get your horse a little more forward before asking for the canter. I will be doing this and try to get the habit of it! :D

[@ktrufant2]

Thank you so much! Your videos are incredibly helpful

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

You're very welcome!

[@emilieguillon-equitation421]

Very interesting. Nice to see the common mistakes 😄

[@lindog51]

Thanks Amelia.

[@ixmissxmonica]

leg yield before the canter transition is very helpful. I'll try it.

[@Cateret]

Super helpful, thank you😊.

[@sarahwhaley5117]

Love this thank you for the help I was really struggling on the transitions so this has helped a lot

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

You are so welcome! Happy to help!

[@jomarsh6449]

Very helpful.. thank you

[@patrickmccaffrey6292]

thank you Amelia, not cantering at the moment, too scared, but absolutely love your approach to it x x

[@SabrinaLWilliams]

You'll get there in your own time but once you start cantering, you'll love it!! Keep going!

[@nicoleunderwood3911]

Good tips! I've been working on not giving away the contact during the trot canter transition.

[@Tyler-tz7oy]

Same!

[@susancorning4590]

super helpful. I couldn't get the transition right on either of my two horses yesterday. I did the transitions on a lunge line, and the horses had no issue with trot/canter. So, it's gotta be me. Now I have some tools (after watching your video). THANKS!

[@maggsm3392]

I was having western lessons and I'm sure this is what we had to do to set up for lope but it was explained a little differently. I couldn't quite get the hang of it then but I understand it better with your explanation. Thank you.

[@terrylawhitlatch]

I have made all of those mistakes, lol, which my teacher has pointed out, and am working hard to eliminate them in my riding. This video is such a helpful summary on this topic, and one to review on a daily basis.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Glad to hear it is helpful! Keep up the good work!!

[@sharilepisto1301]

I have made those mistakes. Thanks for the tips.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

You are so welcome!

[@joannarodriguez4319]

Such a big help watching your videos, since being a beginner rider commo ly I tend to do this a lot😅🤣

[@reneembevilacqua3066]

Excellent thank you

[@rappilot]

Thank you. I have a horse who is very sticky on the right lead and is now becoming apprehensive about it, so I can't wait to try the leg yield down QL into the canter then into the circle with her!

[@minderellafox7906]

Thank you, good exercise 😊👌

[@ren4127]

this video just made everything about leads click for me! when you said that the outside leg indicates the lead and the inside leg indicates the impulsion, it just made so much sense. ive been struggling with my trot to canter transition and leads but this helped so much, thank you!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

You're so welcome!! And thanks for watching!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Also, if you’d like me to send more dressage tips into your email inbox every Wednesday, you can sign up to my mailing list www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/subscribe/ (If you’re already familiar with all this and have received this before, apology for the unnecessary message, I’m being super thorough today!) I’m also on FB and IG 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 (for when all the social media goes down again 🤣) www.amelianewcombdressage.com/ Ok that’s the lot I promise. Have an awesome day! 🐴

[@michaelc2509]

Working on this now. 6yr old willing gelding. Working on roundness to keep his head down while transitioning. And my cues might need some work. Your advice to trot into the canter works well. Thanks for the video Amelia!

[@robincatmur-smith6143]

Very helpful! I have a four year old who tends to run into the canter -- and I see now that I am leaning forward and losing all organization just before I ask. Thanks!

[@lisafoster4468]

Thanks for the tips :) I think another is that sometimes people get scared and choke down on the reins. My problem has been getting the cues and my body weight distribution correct...think I'll have it now.