Galop 4In the saddle
Contents
- 01WelcomeOverview
- 02Domestic lifeKnowledge
- 03Identifying a horseKnowledge
- 04The passportKnowledge
- 05Routine careCaring for the horse
- 06Vital signs and illnessCaring for the horse
- 07Needs and feedsKnowledge
- 08Feeds to avoidKnowledge
- 09How the canter worksKnowledge
- 10The aids, flexion and bendKnowledge
- 11Boots and legsCaring for the horse
- 12Snaffle bitsKnowledge
- 13The contactIn the saddle
- 14The jumping positionIn the saddle
- 15Position and strideIn the saddle
- 16Canter from walk, quarter turnsIn the saddle
- 17GroundworkOn foot
- 18Safety and hackingKnowledge
- 19Tests and revisionRevision
Canter from walk; moving the shoulders and the quarters
Three exercises that show your aids are coordinated: a strike-off into canter straight from walk, on the correct leg and on a straight line, then quarter turns that move the horse’s front end or his back end.
In the exam programme
- Strike off into canter from the walk, on the correct lead, on a straight line.Specific part
- Move your horse’s shoulders a quarter turn at the walk.Specific part
- Move your horse’s quarters a quarter turn at the walk.Specific part
Canter from walk on a straight line
In Galop 3 you struck off into canter on a curve, which helps the horse find the correct leg. On a straight line that help is gone: it is the precision of your aids that chooses the leg. And striking off from walk, without trotting first, needs an attentive, active horse.
- Prepare the walkAn active, even walk, the horse straight and on the contact. A lazy walk will only give you a strike-off into trot.
- Position the horseFor right canter: slight flexion to the right with the right rein, the left rein supporting; the left leg slides a little behind the girth.
- AskThe right leg, on the girth, gives a clear aid; a little more of your weight goes onto your right seat bone, your upper body stays upright.
- Go with itFrom the first canter stride, the hands yield and the pelvis follows the movement. Check the leg with a quick glance at the shoulder.
For left canter, the roles are reversed. Practise first along the track, where the wall helps keep the horse straight, before asking for the strike-off on an inside line.
Common mistake
Letting the horse jog before he canters. Do not carry on in trot: come back to walk, wake him up and ask again. Another common fault: tipping your upper body forward or in as you ask.
Moving the quarters or the shoulders a quarter turn
To move the quarters — a turn on the forehand — the forelegs step almost on the spot and the quarters swing round them until the horse has pivoted a quarter turn: when the quarters go to the right, the head therefore ends up facing left. To move the shoulders — a turn about the haunches — it is the reverse: the hind legs step almost on the spot and the shoulders swing round them. Either way the horse keeps walking: he must neither step back nor stand still.
| Aid | Quarters to the right | Shoulders to the right |
|---|---|---|
| Flexion | Slight flexion to the left, on the side of the active leg | Slight flexion to the right, towards where you are going |
| Reins | They stop the horse moving forward and keep the shoulders in place | They lead the forehand round: the right rein opens, the left rein lies against the neck |
| Left leg | On its own, behind the girth, in small rhythmic nudges: it pushes the quarters over | A little behind the girth: it stops the quarters escaping to the left |
| Right leg | On the girth: it keeps the horse active and limits the movement | On the girth: it keeps the horse active so that he does not step back |
Moving the quarters
The forefeet step almost on the spot; the quarters swing round to the right and the head ends up facing left.
Moving the shoulders
The hind feet step almost on the spot; the shoulders swing round to the right around them.
Tip
Practise the quarter turn as you walk into a corner of the arena: the two walls give you the right angle and take the edge off his wish to go forward. Slow down almost to a halt, pivot step by step, then walk on positively.
Remember
The leg acting behind the girth pushes the quarters to the opposite side. The reins lead the shoulders round. Either way, the horse stays active and does not step back.