Question # 114: Any tips on helping a horse with walk to canter transitions?

His trot to canter has improved immensely. He is quiet and remains balanced and on the bridle. We've started working on walk to canter and no matter how quiet we try to keep things, he gets a bit frazzled. The head flies up, back inverts. Mind you, this is what it was like for trot to canter last year! We ensure that he has a nice active walk behind before asking, and we're allowing a few tiny trot steps before the canter with the idea that we can gradually reduce those trot steps. Is it just a matter of time like it was with trot to canter, or is there something else we can be keeping in mind? (Nicole)


Hi Nicole!

Walk to canter transitions are actually easier than trot to canter for horses in some ways... physically they are not very hard, and there is less of a tendency for the horse to have balance issues. The main challenges involved in walk to canter transitions are that of ensuring that there is sufficient energy in the walk, keeping the horse straight, the timing and clarity of the rider's aid, and the horse's understanding of what you are asking.... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)