The Benefits of Cantering Your Horse

of an equine athlete it determines muscular effort. Improved delivery of oxygen to muscles allows for more forceful contractions. Lack of variability of muscular force is a common reason for horses and riders hitting a plateau in their training.
Of course all of these good outcomes depend on some rules. What follows are the top tips for canter work that benefits your horse.
First of all longeing does count towards the physical benefits your horse can reap from cantering. Riders who are timid about cantering often ask me whether they can still meet their horses needs if they do the work unmounted instead. While it is not an exact replacement for the value of riding groundwork is absolutely better than missing out on cantering altogether so go ahead and incorporate it from the ground at least twice per week for three to five minutes each time.
If you plan to tackle your young or unbalanced horses canter from the saddle instead allow yourself to ride with a light seat. Keeping your weight off the horses back at this point generally allows him to relax quicker. Trying to push oneself deep in the saddle or striving for attractive equitation on an unbalanced cantering horse will cause him to tighten his back muscles resulting in speed and stiffness. Instead lift your seat slightly out of the saddle to unburden the horses back until the gait develops a steadier rhythm.
Another valuable option is to find a rider to help you once or more per week. This person does not necessarily have to be a trainer often a young rider or friend will happily climb aboard your horse for a good canter regularly. Some riders struggle to swallow their pride hoping to do all their horses training themselves. But if you are missing out on canter because of your own discomfort or anxiety do your horse a favour and reach out for some help. As the balance and quality of his canter improves from someone else riding him you will be more apt to give it a go yourself.
A daily tip I give riders is to pay attention to ratios of time spent in each gait. At the end of your session ask yourself how many minutes you spent walking versus trotting versus cantering. Make a goal to get those ratios nearly equal a couple of days per week.
When beginning canter work it can be very useful