Favourite ‘Type’ Of Canter

[pryme_thyme]

I got thinking while I laid in bed and couldn’t sleep how different my new guy is from my previous mare. All gaits are different but the canter, immensely different.

My mare had a ‘boxy’ uphill canter, good reach but mainly front end and push. Easy to sit quiet.

My new guy has a very deep reach behind, a ton of impulsion which leads to a huge rocking horse style. Tougher to sit, you have to remain very neutral in the seat and follow. (Mind you he is green as grass but fundamentally different movement).

I am honestly not sure which one I prefer. I predominantly ride hunters but dressage is my base.

What’s everyone’s favourite type of canter?

[NancyM]

Well, I’m a TB person, so I like power from behind, and a long , low stride, no knee action. And a good rhythm, with free shoulder action.

[Trekkie]

My favorite canter on any horse these days is the soft “hunter” canter that is adjustable, ground covering, softly forward but super relaxed, balanced and rhythmical. It appears and feels effortless but I think for most horses is a product of years of flatwork and strengthening to slowly build muscle and top line so they are able to carry and hold themselves in a nice rhythm and balance with minimal support from the rider. I find it is much more elusive than it looks!! It is a different frame than a dressage horse but the foundation I believe is the same, with the end result being lightness and adjustability with minimal aids. When my young horse offered up this canter one day a couple years ago I was on cloud nine

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[Mander]

Ooh I love the rocking horse canter. Of course, it’s not always easy to sit, nor is it ideal for every situation, but I do enjoy it!

My last lease was a green warhorse, so he was very heavy on the forehand and had a long ways to go as far as developing topline, balance, self-carriage, etc. Despite all that, he had a beautiful rocking horse canter, with an extremely long stride (the most collected canter I could get from him still usually had a 12’ stride ). His balancing issues aside, his canter just floated around the ring - it always reminded me of riding in a big SUV when you’re used to little zippy cars. I’d love to see him after a few years of regular, quality work.

[blondewithchrome]

I actually love an uphill canter with most of the push from the back. I’ve done hunters and jumpers both, and while I love the soft flowing canter of a good hunter, I find the uphill canter of a good strong jumper to be more comfortable for me to ride a course in. I want head lifted, impulsion from the hind, and a feel so I know where I am at all times and just need tiny tweaks along course!

[Rumorhasit93]

Ironically, I just got a horse with a rocking horse canter and I LOVE sitting! My other horse is light, quick, but slightly on the forehand. I find the latter easier to 2 point and stay back and balanced while helping lift the front end.

I try lightening my seat on the rocking canter and I have a hard time staying up. Now I know I need to practice that seat on that ride.

[pryme_thyme]

I am loving all these different opinions. Super interesting.

I can definitely see what you mean @blondewithchrome, that canter does give me a bit more confidence when I’m over fences for sure!

The rocking horse canter is really interesting, I swear I feel like I could be the fulcrum of the rocking. Strange feeling! Hopefully it develops more!

[Mander]

I’ve definitely ridden horses I’d consider to have a rocking horse canter that weren’t so difficult to sit, but on this guy it was so tough - it probably also didn’t help that he was as slab-sided as they come and 17+ hands so my stirrups were always SHORT. For two point, I found it to be a huge strength thing so that you’re able to move with the motion instead of just trying to stand up like you can on a flatter canter. If you’re not strong enough to be in constant motion with it, it’s very easy to swing forward and back with each stride like a little bobblehead toy.

[phoenixrises]

Oh I’m struggling right now. My horse before had the deep rocking horse canter very up in front with a lot of “sit”. Current horse goes like a hunter (which is good she is one) but man do I struggle. Also doesn’t help that the canter that feels “right” to me often leaves me adding 2!

[Renn_aissance]

I want a canter that feels like I’m going somewhere. My guy has an excellent working canter- uphill and propulsive, easy for him to compress or stretch like a slinky, and very ready to rev into the next gear if I get up off his back and bridge my reins on a brisk spring morning.

Bless him, my sister’s late TB had a rocking horse type natural canter that felt like Pepe le Pew. He wasn’t much on the racetrack.

[Laurierace]

My late TB had a canter that felt like flowing along on a river of melted butter. I will miss that forever

[c0608524]

My thoroughbred has a big canter. It’s very hunter-y, from the ground appears that it should be easy to sit, but oh boy is it ever tough to do so. I mostly canter with him in a half seat. The best way for me to describe it would be that it feels “long”. I don’t enjoy his canter whatsoever.

My paint is a hony, fairly short stride but feels flat. Incredibly easy to sit. It’s just easy to ride, can sit, can half-seat. It’s comfortable but nothing that is super “fun”.

My friends paint has the true rocking horse canter. Every stride actually feels like you’re sitting deeper and deeper into the saddle. Hands down my favourite. I could canter on that mare all day and it would put the biggest smile on my face.

[Nevada10]

I love the kind of canter that you can ride in half seat and float along effortlessly. My hunter has that kind of canter… it’s dreamy. My jumper has a boxy, choppy canter… it hurts my back.

[RW06]

My favorite is the “set it and forget it”

[Punkie]

The “Big Eq” horse canter. Uphill, super rideable, easy to sit or two point, as adjustable as the day is long, and light. A classic hunter canter is a close second. On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, I love a “tree climbing” jumper canter to go with a super upright, short backed, quick horse. Not the most comfortable thing to ride, but effortless to see a distance!

[RAyers]

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I like the two-point, gallop, jump gallop, canter.