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FireLight
Gold Member
620 Posts |
 Posted - 15 Jun 2014 : 1:21:18 PM
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Hi my boy is just five and has been hacking out in walk and a bit of trot for about 4 months. He is very babyish and not very balanced but we are slowly making improvements. I am in no rush as he is with me for life but when should I introduce canter and where? He hacks out confidently but I don't have access to a school so can I try a few strides of canter behind his trusty cob babysitter out hacking? Most people I talk to say I should only start cantering in a school. Thanks in advance for any replies (I know you AL's will know what's best) 
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sarahjo
Silver Member
England
262 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jun 2014 : 1:46:23 PM
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I think introducing canter whilst out is easier for them especially if they are not very well balanced. I would pick a track that is slightly uphill and not too wide so would be difficult to over take the horse in front. Doesn't have to be a really long track but with youngsters I always make a point of trotting before and after a canter. If he's not very well balanced you may find you have to go a certain pace for him to actually canter to start with.
Best of luck
Sarah |
saraholdershaw@hotmail.com
www.arabianhalternatives.com
Nottingham |
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Callisto
Platinum Member
6905 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jun 2014 : 1:56:23 PM
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We don't usually have access to a school, and with a youngster on a hack I would try canter in a quiet place (no scary dogs, tree stumps etc.), on good going, on a gentle uphill slope, with plenty of room to persuade him to stop if he gets a bit excited and speeds up - a grassy track would be ideal. Preferably with an experienced horse to show him a canter and set the pace - your trusty cob babysitter sounds ideal. Only for a short distance to start with, and if he is happy then try a bit more next time. If not then just carry on as you are for a while and then try again when he is a bit stronger.
A word of warning - as a leggy unbalanced four year old Lily was determined that she was actually a race horse built for speed - I soon found out that it was safer to choose a steep hill for her canter practice (which could turn into a gallop very easily) and with her experienced companion well back so she did not race them, because she got puffed before we got to the top and so I could stop her easily (She was right, she is definitely built for speed). Never always canter in the same place, walk up it or trot so that they don't associate it with with always cantering. Alternatively my purebred gelding really didn't like cantering until he was about 8 or 9 - he had a lovely canter but preferred to trot - you have to play it by ear a bit.
Edited to add: Obviously cross posted with Sarahjo, but I think we are both saying the same thing, and I agree, youngsters find it easier to do a few paces of canter when out on a hack, than in a school where they have to cope with corners, a limited space etc. |
  Zahkira (GR Amaretto x Taffetta)
Linda
East Sussex |
Edited by - Callisto on 15 Jun 2014 2:02:59 PM |
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rosie
Platinum Member
England
3662 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jun 2014 : 2:16:00 PM
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agree with the replies in that its easier to introduce their first canter whilst out hacking.
On one of my routes, I have an uphill track with high hedges either side of the track and the track is quite narrow so encourages them to keep going forwards. I've had a few FIRST canters on there  |
     
Last picture courtesy of Sweet Photography |
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FireLight
Gold Member
620 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jun 2014 : 2:43:04 PM
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Thanks you have made me feel a lot more confident. No one else I know has Arabs and are all saying schooling, schooling and more schooling! Pip is my first youngster and I want him to be my happy hacker and best friend. He is VERY laid back and is happy to walk everywhere. If I ask for trot he is happy to trot but then always happy to come back to walk, even when his trusty cob friend goes off in front or out of sight he never rushes to catch him up. |
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Callisto
Platinum Member
6905 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jun 2014 : 2:55:55 PM
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| Schooling has its place, obviously, but with a youngster I would hack out more days than I would school - it is hard work for an immature horse to work (or attempt to work) in an outline in a school. Also they get bored - particularly Arabs |
Zahkira (GR Amaretto x Taffetta)
Linda
East Sussex |
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Kharidian
Platinum Member
England
4297 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jun 2014 : 4:30:10 PM
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I agree with everyone else - out on a hack, slightly uphill, behind a sensible companion. Enjoy!
Caryn |
Kharidian (Prince Sadik x Khiri)........ Alkara Cassino (H Tobago x Rose Aboud)
aka "Roger".................................... aka "Chips"
     
The first image is from an original painting by Pat Shorto.
South-East Essex |
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Suelin
Platinum Member
England
2514 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jun 2014 : 5:57:06 PM
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| Horses learned to canter under saddle long before anyone had schools. This obsession with schools drives me totally crazy. Not getting at you Firelight, just one of my current rants. I agree with others, out on a hack is fine. Start slowly and build on it. Good luck and a picture of you both with the wind in your hair would be fab. |
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garnet
Platinum Member
2382 Posts |
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Goldenmane
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4964 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jun 2014 : 6:27:58 PM
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Me too! But definately uphill!
Edited to say I am so envious, enjoy every moment and go with your instincts! |
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Edited by - Goldenmane on 15 Jun 2014 6:28:56 PM |
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Ari
Platinum Member
1657 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jun 2014 : 6:29:47 PM
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Plenty of time for school work, I only use ours for playing groundwork games with scary objects.
Out on a hack and as all have said, slightly uphill behind his pal and he will give you a canter and after a few times he will soon pick up on the aid and go when asked.
The sensible companion is so valuable at this stage and for some time to come as a youngster can be easily upset or go the other way and learn what a fab game racing is if a horse flies past him or gallops off ahead.
Don't be worried if he gets a bit disjointed in his first attempts just ask him back to trot and he will soon learn to get his balance and legs in order.
Your boy sounds very grounded and focused on you so you are doing great. Enjoy that first canter.
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Edited by - Ari on 15 Jun 2014 6:33:43 PM |
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sab2
Platinum Member
8467 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jun 2014 : 6:41:50 PM
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| I have backed my 4 yr old this year and we introduced her to canter in a lovely grassy field following an older sensible horse, i just sat behind and let her decide that it was the right thing to do, which she did and we had a super canter up the field . I never ask the youngsters to canter in the school till they are balanced properly which comes with time an the correct work. |
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FireLight
Gold Member
620 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jun 2014 : 8:48:22 PM
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I am pleased everyone has the same general idea. It was what I was hoping for as I am at my most confident out hacking and hope I pass this on to Pip, so the thought of having a first canter in a school was worrying me. I hate schooling but know it has a place in a horses education but do most of mine hacking as I have never had the luxury of a school. Anyway when our wood finally dries out there is a nice track I have in mind so will report back on our progress.  |
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Ari
Platinum Member
1657 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jun 2014 : 9:54:27 PM
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My daughter does a tiny bit of time schooling my boy but his job happy hacking. Better time spent with a youngster like you have done so well giving your boy confidence to enjoy his job out and about.
You did right to ask advice and the best I can give is do nothing that worries you or you are not well prepared for no matter what anybody says.
"I am not in a rush he is with me for life" that's always been my thinking x |
Edited by - Ari on 15 Jun 2014 9:56:02 PM |
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glo
Gold Member
England
1297 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jun 2014 : 10:43:19 AM
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Agree with others, ask for trot faster (faster trot) rather than canter, If you are to strong on your leg aides he may will buck! and you don't want him to know how to do that! If on the first attempt you only get faster trot don't worry and try again another day. You will be able to feel when its a good day and then it will all come together.
Just a word of warning, make sure your trusted horse an rider dose not turn in to a race horse that day! I have had this happen an galloping a first timer is not very nice, no control and legs all over the place.
Sometimes its better to go on a hack on your own and do it when it comes. |
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Arachnid
Platinum Member
England
1872 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jun 2014 : 12:36:39 PM
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| I'm at the same stage as you Firelight with my baby horse (just turned 5) We have a gorgeous school which I've completely given up on for the minute - hes so much happier hacking out, so don't get bent out of shape about not having one. We aren't ready for canter yet, but almost certainly will try out on downs with sensible non-racey escort (ie not Spider! ) |
   
West Sussex |
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FireLight
Gold Member
620 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jun 2014 : 12:55:28 PM
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Had to smile at your comment glo re 'trusty horse becoming a race horse'. I know it can happen but said trusty cob only has first and second gear, it will be a miracle if he does more than 10 strides of canter in front! He has had horses gallop past him etc and he just sighs and gives up and walks! But I will be aware of too much leg and bucking.
I have never been bothered by a school Arachnid until I got a baby and everyone around me are schooling fanatics and then you start to doubt your common sense and gut feeling over what baby is capable of. Good luck with your baby horse. (Spider sounds very much like my other lad who won't be babysitting any time soon unless I want a naughty baby!) |
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martha615
Gold Member
England
1053 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jun 2014 : 5:50:16 PM
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| Oh, I hate cantering for the first time. I think the suggestion of going up a hill (preferably a steep one) with a friend is best. Good luck!! |
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katemaciver
Bronze Member
Scotland
82 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jun 2014 : 9:30:44 PM
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| I am in exact same position with my boy. Waiting for the opportune moment out and about, no school for us either and endurance will be our game so I'd rather he learnt whilst hacking :) Following this with great interest! |
Kate and Paula
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debs
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3218 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jun 2014 : 10:06:02 PM
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Uphill bridlepath.... gets my vote! We don;t have a school although we do school in field... but I hate cantering in the field!Am a woose!!!!  Both my boys first proper canter was out on a ride. Have even cantered Ali across a field with a couple of others... confess to having doubts (read that as had to be bullied!!!!) but he was brilliant! |
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Quarabian
Platinum Member
Wales
4340 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jun 2014 : 10:00:40 PM
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| Agreeing with what most have said. I have never had problems with a first canter, slightly uphill with a fence or wall to help keep them straight. As others have said, don't hurry into canter, let it happen sit up and enjoy. |
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FireLight
Gold Member
620 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jun 2014 : 11:31:16 AM
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| Thanks everyone for your replies. I was getting worried about it as most young horses around me are far more advanced but I am very slow and steady in my approach to things. So I think I will just let it happen as and when it feels right and not get too hung up on it. |
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Quarabian
Platinum Member
Wales
4340 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jun 2014 : 7:13:49 PM
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| That's the spirit. Remember, starting youngsters isn't a race or a competition. Each horse and rider should progress at the rate they feel comfortable with. |
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Suelin
Platinum Member
England
2514 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jun 2014 : 11:56:05 PM
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| Nothing the matter at all with slow and steady Firelight. Just the way to make progress imo. Good luck. |
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Where to canter for a youngsters first?
