I have a coming 3 year old Clydesdale/TB filly that I've just recently started light canter work with. In previous years, when training youngsters to canter, I've simply asked for it until it's given. Typically it's given within a couple strides and I try to stay as quiet in the saddle the first couple times as possible and reward a tonne afterwards. This has pretty much always worked for me, although there was one time bucking was involved, but hang on and stay quiet up there and it always comes out a good experience. Once they've got a couple sessions under their belt you can start fine tuning your cue and asking more of them, and typically they deliver. So far, I've cantered Eve 3 times and each session is just getting better than the last. She's eager, willing, and excited to please me...I've included a couple pictures over the last few rides just for fun, but I'm curious what kinds of methods others use to initially TEACH their horse to canter. I'm not talking older horses re-learning or even older horses learning for the first time, because they're already pretty balanced...I'm talking about 4 years old and under being taught to canter correctly. Please, shed some light on how you go about it!
Feb 10/10
And today
And a video
Great end to an awesome ride