I'm Learning To Canter On My Horse?

Well, the reason they are probably cramping up is because they have very little muscle mass. As you are 11, you are still growing, and your muscles still developing. To build more muscles in your upper legs, try riding stirrup-less (yes, posting and all!). Not only will this make you get stronger leg muscles, it will also improve your balance tremendously. Also, try riding an entire lesson in forward position. When you canter you are using the same muscles as when you are in forward position. When you are not mounted, try doing lounges a few nights a week. It will tighten up your leg fast and make you stronger.

Happy Riding!

Hi,

It sounds like you are clamping with your upper leg, or sitting crooked. I would have your parent or trainer or other experienced rider check your saddle fit and position. Then , when you are in the canter, make sure your heels are down, and aligned with your hips, shoulders and ears, ie that you are not leaning backwards (water skiing) or forwards.

Practice taking deep breathes during the canter to help your muscles relax.

Another idea is to canter only the long sides of your riding arena. This will strengthen your muscles via lots of correct upwards and downwards transitions.

Finally, as another person mentioned, it is very important to stretch before and after you ride. You can look online for some ideas about stretches.

Good luck with your new pony!

If the cramp is like a "Charly Horse" that means your body needs potassium. The best source of postassium: Bananas. I get 'em too. I eat 1 banana a day (even though I hate them) and it helps.

If that's not it, riding without stirrups can help strengthen your legs. Also, make sure your stirrups are the right length. You should be able to put your fist between you and the saddle when you stand up in the saddle (make sense?) You could also try doing extra lunges and squats (you, not your horse:P) to build up leg strength, and make sure you stretch.

Also, it will take a while for your legs to strengthen and get used to the awkward position your legs are in when you are riding. Give it time. Start slow and build up the amount of cantering you do on your horse.

Cramps may mean a couple of things. One cause is related to circulation of blood. If you are cutting off the circulation to your leg, a cramp may occur. this can be due to the angle of your hip, meaning that it is bent too much, or it can mean your clothing is too constrictive.

Another cause for cramps can be compression of a nerve or nerves. This can start near the spine, at the nerve root where it branches away from the spinal cord. The nerve roots pass through openings in the vertebrae (bones of spine), and if you are in an odd position, you can "pinch" the nerve. Or, a nerve that branches to your leg, like the sciatic nerve, may be irritated and stimulate the muscle in your thigh to cramp.

Another cause in someone your age can be "growing pains", where the longitudinal bone growth stresses the tendons that attach the bones to the muscles, and they become more likely to cramp when you move your legs.

Until you can figure out why you are getting the cramps, it will be hard for you to canter your horse. One thing you can do is stretching exercises to help keep the muscles and tendons lengthened and flexible. Focusing on the position of your back is another thing to look at. Exercises that stretch and strengthen back muscles can help with that as well. Be sure your pants are not digging into your groin area when you ride, and open the angle of your hip joint to keep the circulation from being impaired. Good luck....work on this first, then work on getting the canter.

If you're having issues balancing at a canter then I could do a little balancing sporting activities. Can you trot first-rate with none issues? Do you know the way to? If so and you're secure with it, then I could take off your stirrups. Try trotting, get your stability and do exactly it plenty. Hold onto the reins however do not depend on them. Then get your horse to canter and take a look at it without a stirrups. It quite is helping, preserve your legs practically the pony and simply comply with the rhythm. I could have your teacher lunge the pony round whilst you're doing this. Then whilst you suppose extra optimistic, I could canter alongside the world without a stirrups. Talk on your using teacher approximately your struggles with balancing at the canter, that is what they're there for.

I would say just keep practicing, your muscles will have to get used to it before they don't hurt anymore.

As for cramping, it is sometimes a sign that you need more water in your system.

I would keep cantering for short intervals. Don't overdo it, but try cantering for just a short time, then go back to a walk to rest. If you never canter, you'll never get used to it.

Note to Hannah (below): You're right that Y!A is restricted to those over age 13. However, there are second graders who spell better than you do, and your answer was not helpful at all. Before you call others out, make sure you aren't committing the same offense.

All you need to do is build up your upper leg muscle, also check the girth/cinch. If it's very high on the leathers it may be digging into your leg, if so just get a smaller girth/cinch.

If your Trainer has a lunge line (leather line, longer than a lead line) with a chain on it used for exercising horses you can get a lunge lesson. My Trainer gives us one once a month to keep our legs firm. We have a very tame horse that loves his lesson job that we train or warm up on. If you have an older horse that's very tame or just a tame horse anyway, you can put the chain on the bridle and make a big circle in the riding area.

Tie the reins up and put your hands on your hips and post, this will achieve balance and leg muscle. Also, take your reins back and drop your stirrups and try to post, it'll build GREAT muscle in NO TIME!!!

You also can try to stop your horse, park him out if he does, and stand up in the saddle, push your heels waaay down into the stirrups and stretch the calves and upper leg muscles.

I hope that helps. I've been riding English for about 3 years now.

try working your legs on and off the horse:

off- try squats and lunges, they will help strengthen your upper leg

on- work with no stirrups or ride bareback, it will really work your lower body

some tips:

cramps could also mean you are dehydrated so drink plenty of water

canter for short periods of time, cramps are telling your muscles to stop working and if you only work for short periods the problem wont happen

once you get used to it you will be able to canter longer

To repeat everyone else, build up your muscles. You need to work with a TRAINER to do this, if you've grown up taking riding lessons you'd know that boy, good trainers really whip you into shape. You'll come out hurting every time. And this is good because then you'll have the muscles to control your horse when needed, and you'll ride better. You can't expect to train yourself, not at all. You need an instructor, big time

Maybe do some excersizes before riding. And also, try tightening up your leg muscle, and keep your toes up heels down. Good Luck, and I hope you feel better while cantering!