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Harold Lidin-Mercado
Harold Lidin-Mercado - Puerto Rico
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Q. My biggest fear is going into canter – I tend to hold back, and pull on the reins because I don’t feel in control. I suppose I’m worried that my horse will take off and that I won’t be able to stop her (although this has never happened). I haven’t had a bad fall or anything like that, it just seems that I have lost a lot of my confidence when riding. What do you suggest?
I always think that canter is the most beautiful of the paces, because it can feel so flowing and free. It can also be the most scary if the transition up is a huge one, because it feels as if you’re going into orbit! We have this notion that we might lose control of our horses in canter and yet there is no reason why we should be any less in control than in trot or walk – particularly if we school our horse to respond immediately to our aids.
Every rider should do basic schooling with their horse, and I really recommend Jane Savoie’s books, which include lots of simple, basic schooling exercises.
A pat on the back There is a difference between confidence and self-belief, and as long as you believe you can and will do it eventually, you can build confidence. The confidence comes from doing it, then patting yourself on the back and doing it again.
To feel confident in canter, you need to practise cantering – particularly transitions up and down. Practise in a safe place like a school or a small field. And use your breathing, which will help you relax and focus. Breathe in to prepare for the upward transition and breathe out into the transition, then count 1, 2, 3 out loud in time with the horse’s footfall.
When you count out loud, you have to breathe – you just can’t hold your breath while speaking!
Start by cantering just one circle, then coming back to trot and walking almost immediately. Prepare for the downward transition with a half-halt, breathe in, then breathe out into the transition and say out loud 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2 for the trot rhythm and 1, 2, 3, 4. for the walk.
Tricks of the trade
This counting of the rhythms is a trick I learnt from Mark Rashid and it really works. By the time you’ve done the breathing and counting, you’ll have forgotten to feel fearful, and soon you’ll be cantering and actually enjoying it! To reinforce this, imagine yourself doing this exercise and repeat at least three times before you ride. Visualise each transition as if you were doing it perfectly with a smile on your face.
And practise the breathing and counting as you visualise. This will help you ‘programme’ yourself for success and enjoyment.
Horse Videos
StableexpressHarold Lidin-Mercado
Posted by Stable Express
Q. My biggest fear is going into canter – I tend to hold back, and pull on the reins because I don’t feel in control. I suppose I’m worried that my horse will take off and that I won’t be able to stop her (although this has never happened). I haven’t had a bad fall or anything like that, it just seems that I have lost a lot of my confidence when riding. What do you suggest?
I always think that canter is the most beautiful of the paces, because it can feel so flowing and free. It can also be the most scary if the transition up is a huge one, because it feels as if you’re going into orbit! We have this notion that we might lose control of our horses in canter and yet there is no reason why we should be any less in control than in trot or walk – particularly if we school our horse to respond immediately to our aids.
Every rider should do basic schooling with their horse, and I really recommend Jane Savoie’s books, which include lots of simple, basic schooling exercises.
A pat on the back There is a difference between confidence and self-belief, and as long as you believe you can and will do it eventually, you can build confidence. The confidence comes from doing it, then patting yourself on the back and doing it again.
To feel confident in canter, you need to practise cantering – particularly transitions up and down. Practise in a safe place like a school or a small field. And use your breathing, which will help you relax and focus. Breathe in to prepare for the upward transition and breathe out into the transition, then count 1, 2, 3 out loud in time with the horse’s footfall.
When you count out loud, you have to breathe – you just can’t hold your breath while speaking!
Start by cantering just one circle, then coming back to trot and walking almost immediately. Prepare for the downward transition with a half-halt, breathe in, then breathe out into the transition and say out loud 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2 for the trot rhythm and 1, 2, 3, 4. for the walk.
Tricks of the trade
This counting of the rhythms is a trick I learnt from Mark Rashid and it really works. By the time you’ve done the breathing and counting, you’ll have forgotten to feel fearful, and soon you’ll be cantering and actually enjoying it! To reinforce this, imagine yourself doing this exercise and repeat at least three times before you ride. Visualise each transition as if you were doing it perfectly with a smile on your face.
And practise the breathing and counting as you visualise. This will help you ‘programme’ yourself for success and enjoyment.
