Warm Up Your Dressage Horse: Trot Canter Trot Transitions

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

What is your favorite warm-up for your dressage horse??? This is one of my favorite for almost all of my horses!!

[@TracyRaikes]

Hello Amelia - As a former rider and now mostly a Pony driver, I'm finding your videos and training articles very helpful and easily applied to my schooling schedule for my ponies.....I am now working towards starting my 4 yo Gypsy/Shetland cross pony in harness - He has a very expressive and athletic way of going and will need connection and engagement as we start.....and I really see how many of these riding patterns and training captions will help him....thank you for 'simplifying' and creating cameo-type daily schooling actions that I can use with the ponies.....your methods along with long relaxing trail drives will shape my youngster into an engaged, forward and relaxed Boy ! TY!!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

You're so welcome! I love hearing from students like this. Do you think you could take 5 minutes and copy and paste something like this in a Google Review for me? Reviews help give me integrity and help riders just like you find my resources. Thanks so much! g.page/r/CYIGmCINXFOQEAo/review

[@HENRIETTEBOSSEAU]

Hi Amelia, thanks a lot for this video ! Trot-canter-trot transitions are one of my favorite exercises as well although I'm still struggling with the regularity of my transitions. It is sometimes difficult to make Cobra keep trotting after the transition as he tends to anticipate canter. We are both starting to make progress though 😉!

[@michawika8991]

Excellent, thank you. I do quite a lot of trot-canter-translations and this helps a lot to reach suppleness, however I did it always deeper into the training, so I will try this more as warm up exercises.

[@barbaraschaffner4709]

great suggestion, amelia. i was starting with loose canter to let my 28 year old warmblood stretch before getting to work. this is a much better way to achieve suppleness and stretching vs randomly cantering around the arena. i will absolutely be starting my ride with this exercise. thanks again!! ps i just joined STRIDES last week. very excited to be part of your team.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

yay! So excited to have you be a part of the program!

[@barbstrona1]

I have trouble hearing, so closed cations help a lot. Also slow motion repeating transitions would help and a diagram showing the aids in progression would really help! Thank you!

[@dianepeck3870]

Great video. You make it look so easy. My issue is keeping my core during the down transition and getting the timing of the up. I did just look at your video of the timing of the canter but have only had one ride to practice. I should start improving! I did in one ride. Thank you!

[@icyclipper]

Just beginning to be able to do canter/trot transitions with my mare who came with extreme canter anxiety. So glad that you have posted this video - perfect timing, and so helpful to watch you doing this!

[@MillsandMe]

Yes! I love trot canter trot!!! So gets my horse loosened up through his back.

[@Lynne2106]

Perfect timing on this topic. I am struggling with downward transition to trot. Thanks again!

[@soleilequestrian8856]

Hello! I have the same problem, what helped you and your horse?

[@helenabotelhogomes6900]

All your videos helps me a lot! Thank you, Amelia. Writing from Brazil, Helena Gomes

[@barbaramartin8861]

Yet again another flawless presentation by one of the best! Thank you, Amelia!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Awe. Thank you!!

[@louisedownes4512]

Hi Amelia, this video is so helpful thankyou x🐴

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

You’re welcome 😊

[@helenfox3415]

Great advice & video demo!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thank you! If you liked it, please consider subscribing for more!

[@laurasoper8020]

That was awesome! I will add this to my warm up!

[@Mi55Jessica]

Thank you for this video. I struggle to get the correct lead on the right rein every time.

[@falizianme5846]

Do alot of these in my younger ones! But should definitely do more on the older upper level guy! Thanks for thd tips! Congratulations again to you and Harvey!🏆❤

[@33CHRISTINA33]

Love your tutorial videos🐴💯💖

[@lenamarkovic8302]

Well done!!!! 🤩🤩🤩😍😍🥰 I want to ride as perfectly as you do! 🥺❤️🤩

[@marymuys3614]

This is very helpful. Was wondering though sometimes my horse will get over bent at the poll and gets heavy on the forehand. Thoughts on how to correct this?

[@dorothycarwile7571]

This is my nemesis, trot canter transitions. I ride school horses a quarab in particular. Thank you for the advice, will use this tomorrow and let you know how it went.

[@MindyCoxDogBehavior]

Something to aspire to! Can you explain the purpose of the wraps and boots? Does he accidentally clip himself while moving? Is there another protective purpose?

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

For stability and also in case they clip themselves. Doesn't often happen, but it is a risk :)

[@deborahflint5626]

This is a wonderful exercise and I will definitely be trying to do this. My challenges are two-fold: first keeping the canter going once I am in a canter and second minimizing my bouncing so my feet stay in the stirrups. The quarter horse I am working with is 22 years old and has a club foot which makes it even more interesting. I would be interested in your thoughts on how I can improve. Thanks.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Great questions! This video might help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5imi2d4eLGJZqs

[@ratsastustatreenia2320]

I am struggling with trot canter transition. How to make it fluent and not to bounce on the saddle while it? Thank you for your channel!!

[@sunsetrider367]

Hello Amelia, first thank you again for the advice with my horse who was hot and didn`t accept my leg aid, a few months ago . It is getting far better and now we are riding our first "real" sideway steps to train these lateral movements and the mare is quiet and confident in the whole work (okay, 90% but that is a great achievement). Our canter-trot transitions work very well. The little problem is from the trot to the canter, she isn`t so good in balance in transition (that is my idea why) and so she tries to run into the canter with a high head instead of doing a clear first jump. We try it with riding a little circle to give her the right bending. Can you perhaps tell other good ideas to improve? I wish you all the best, keep up your good work! Best wishes from Germany, Julia

[@janetmcgee1769]

Thank you for all your videos, I struggle with my horse picking up canter, he can trot very well but always hesitates in beginning when asking for canter, as we do it more and more he gets better, but I feel that at this stage he should be doing it more quickly, I would like to use spurs but my trainer is against it. I have watched other videos where you suggest trying to ask for a more energetic trot before asking for canter, and I have been trying that. I guess I'm just frustrated that after riding him for more than a year he should be more willing. When I started him at 4 yo he cantered very readily, but that was not when he was in a collected frame, seems he struggles when asking from a collected frame.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

As long as it is slowly getting better it sounds like you are on the right track.... Also maybe try doing some trot walk trot transitions before asking for the canter. Sometimes that helps to get them hot and listening better.

[@tereecastanias8027]

Very helpful! I normally do a 10-12 minute walk warm-up in a series of exercises. Then go to trot and then to canter. But I have been mixing the trot and canter sequences up a bit more with my horse now. He seems to need the canter to really get moving. Do you have a spot in the warm-up phase with Kensington that you find it works best for him, or is every day a bit different? Thanks!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Hi Teree, Great question! It can definitely be different from day to day what your horse needs. I often warm up in the canter because not only do I find it easier for the horse, but I find that I also warm up better in the canter as well. I like that you do a good amount of walk warm up before moving on. If your horse seems sound in the walk and trot, then try finishing your warm up in the canter if it seems to help your horse!

[@patriciasaul9544]

Thanks again!!

[@elviebruggmann7281]

Thanks! What shall I do if the horse tends to heat up during these canter transitions?

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Try this exercise: amelianewcombdressage.com/dressage-training/snowman-exercise-on-a-new-horse/

[@eileenludlow5919]

Thanks for this video. I struggle because once I start working on this my mare gets all revved up and rushes into the trot after canter and then keeps offering a canter when I’m trying to organize the trot after. We lose all sense of connection and then I get frustrated (not good, I know). I feel like I have a very good connection in walk/trot transitions.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Be patient and make sure that she waits at the trot before cantering again. You can also use a smaller circle or a figure eight to distract her and help get her to wait for the canter aid

[@eileenludlow5919]

Amelia Newcomb Dressage I’m re-watching your videos about transitions, both trot canter and trot walk trot canter. Always so helpful. Thank you!!

[@anneklein7786]

Where did you get your mirrors? Looking for ideas and I like the ones in your arena.

[@jwolf2141]

Any tips for a horse that comes above the bit in trot-canter transitions?

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Make them a bit rounder before you ask for the transition and prioritize keeping them round over the transition happening at the exact moment you ask.

[@jwolf2141]

@@AmeliaNewcombDressage Thank you!!! Guess that means maybe I need you to do a video on "How To Get My Big Lanky Long-necked Young Warmblood Rounder"!!!

[@jwolf2141]

Times I wish I owned a short-backed PRE or Friesian!

[@MrMinibus1]

Hi Amelia, have been watching vid' of you and Joseph, both you and Joseph are clearly very accomplished riders as an observation am I seeing a different action in the rising trot between you and Joseph ( I think it's just a personal individuals style thing not a right or wrong thing) Joseph seems to have what I can only describe as a ' double ' action where he seems to dwell in the saddle as he contacts the saddle for a fraction creating the appearance of a double action, whereas your contact of the saddle is brief so it looks like a single smoother action, it sort of looks like Joseph is ' riding' the trot whereas you look more as if you are following the trot, I know you have a great relationship with Joseph ...maybe you could ask him what he thinks..as I've chickened out!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Haha!! Interesting observation!

[@saratylosky257]

Question - I'm riding an ex Bullfighting horse and I'm struggling with the horse listening to my leg aid to get him listening to go forward at the MOMENT. He's also a bit lazy...What suggestions do you have?

[@marymuys3614]

I’m struggling with my guy who is also lazy but from what I’ve heard is that transitions can help get your horse more responsive. But I’d like to see what Amelia says...

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Yes! Transitions will help with a lazy horse! I would say to always ask with a soft and light aid and if the horse doesn't respond then give them a big correction into a very forward canter. You have to kind of surprise them and get them to jump a little even if they end up going faster than you originally wanted!

[@pavlinaglodekova4643]

Hello Amelia, I struggle with one horse on rein contact during these transitions while warming him up. He do not want to strech down and is still trying to shorten his neck during the movement = the reins are loose. It s horse with "flat" hindquarters and very long neck. Do you think it s better to keep his neck shorter in this case or I should respect his prefered neck posture? Thank you

[@tanon2703]

Due to an earlier issue with saddle fit my fellow likes to drop in front when doing a canter/trot transition (his saddle was tight at the wither so when he went to lift he got a pinch). He has a new saddle that works perfectly, but seems to have sustained the habit. It's no longer a strength issue as he stays up for trot/walk and trot/canter. But for the downward canter transition he prefers to drop in front, half halts be damned. I have tried to finesse the transition with a bit of leg, but he frequently decides that means go on rather than bring more power to lift, so we have a communication problem. Have you done a video on breaking down the elements of a downward transition from canter to trot? Especially related to sustaining that upward feeling. I know it is a matter of keeping everything together, but it seems to be eluding us at the last minute. Would employing more inside leg to encourage more bend and less go to help him understand better? I shall search your previous videos, but if you haven't filmed one with detail, I think it would be a great subject. 😊

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Hi! Yes, yielding him off of the inside leg through the transitions will help with this. I do have a vide on the canter-trot transitions

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6DclqeDqNeAgLc

[@tanon2703]

Amelia Newcomb Dressage Thank you so much! 👍😊

[@henrimilo1]

Hello Amelia, What suggestions will you give me for a 5yo mare that is leg sour and has always been sensitive to the leg ever since I broke her. In the beginning of a session, when asked to transition from the walk or trot to the canter, she lays her ears back and starts crow hopping . If I use a dressage whip its worse and she bucks hard, so I have been applying pressure to just move her forward and asking always the forward impulsion as she pushes into the bit. I've tried small circles which helps but when asked on a straight line she will do it again . If I take her over fences (small crossrails) before cantering she doesn't do this during a session, but this is not going to be acceptable if in a flat class. It's like a diesel car that doesn't want to start. I think she's sensitive and obviously showing signs of a caracterial mare, testing me like always , but this behaviour is unacceptable. WHat are your suggestions or your methods to approach this issue? Thank you

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

I would first check with the vet for saddle pain or ulcers, since those are very similar symptoms for those cases. Then I would go back to groundwork and getting the proper reaction to pressure at the girth to keep you safe and then transferring it to under saddle work

[@henrimilo1]

@@AmeliaNewcombDressage Hello Amelia, Thank you for your kind answer. Effectively we could think the saddle was the issue, so I've tried all three of my saddles (Hermès, Devoucoux and Butet) and she still doesn't care. She's outside 6 hours a day and doesn't yawn or fret in her stall, nor slash her tail around , is at a very healthy weight, so ulcers are not the problem. Her deal is an attitude issue, and especially a young horse issue with mare added on top. She's very well bred (Air Jordan Z x Allegretto SF) and very intelligent. It's like a game for her. She only does this at first when I ask her for the canter, at first, but once she gets going she stops playing around. I can transition back to the trot or walk but it's the initial first time at the canter then twice around the ring at the canter where she's acting up. How do I break her of this unacceptable habit. What would you try? Thanks again!