Having trouble cantering on right rein

[noonoo]

I can canter fine on left rein, but when it comes to the right rein I have quite a problem. I kick and try to canter but I only manage a much faster trot and I feel silly :(

It's been like this quite a long time now even since riding Fozzy. I have a new instructor who I get along very well with who is working me hard on getting it right. I just wondered if there was any tips I could keep in mind for next lesson?

[Bek B]

Does Fozzy only do this with you? Or is his right rein his poor side? In which case you may not be entirely to blame.

[noonoo]

No it's with Ionka aswell, the new horse i'm riding now.

[CityLights]

everyone is naturall one sided just like you are with writing and sutff what you have to do as riders is try to limit this and be as equal as possible and also not let your weakness' effect the horse

you maybe a little weaker in the leg on that side or collapse, i would ask about having some lessons on the lunge to try pinpoint any weaknesses in your position and also so that you can get the feel of the canter on both reins without worrying about you doing the work with getting the transition

[north-mcqueen]

if it makes you feel better, i used to have the exact same problem!
i have heard people say that its determined by which hand you use (ie, if you're right handed you're better on the right rein) but I'm right handed, and left rein is my strongest side. I'm alot better than i used to be on the right rein, just through practicing as much as possible on that rein, but i can still feel the difference and feel like i'm riding much better on the left rein.

[Katie Morag]

I'm the same as north-mcqueen, I'm right handed but better on my left rein. I've just started lessons again since Mo's lameness & I'm back to weaker on the right. It'll come back again like all things it just takes time. Plus Mo's weaker on her right too, since that's the side of the lameness was on

[Loony]

Are you kicking hard enough for them to understand you want canter but they're just trying to avoid it?

Horses should move forwards from even the slightest pressure from your leg (although I know riding horses don't, but they should), so if your horse is ignoring your leg, back it up with your whip. Do you carry a whip with you?

[noonoo]

I kick lots and lots and use a whip but not much happens, I really do wish I had more strength in my legs.

[piccolo]

Don't let him unbalence himself and you by just going faster and faster in trot. Make sure you always come from an active, balanced and not rushed trot. Get the trot back to normal, and keep trying. Why don't you try, short, snappy transitions from walk to trot. He should respond to this, and get the correct response, and know you mean buisness.
It will be hard, but keep practising. Why not try doing some out of the saddle exersizes to just build up your muscles? Although i don't know mush about that!

[north-mcqueen]

Just wanted to add, regarding getting the canter, what really helped me was walk to canter transitions (where I ride in tokyo, theres no such thing as a trot to canter transition- they looked at me like i was mental when I did it). I don't know... it just really helped me learn how to ask and get :p