Canter right

Sunday I learned some new techniques to get Champagne to canter right on a 20 meter circle. When last I tried, he cantered left very nicely, and would canter right but not turn except to follow along the ring at the edges.

So: Cath had me trot in a 20 meter circle around her, and then slowly spiral in closer and closer until we were trotting on an eight or ten meter circle, then spiral out until we were back on the 20 meter, then in again. She also had me brace my arm against my side at the elbow and really sit back in the saddle so I can get a strong left rein (he is “running through my hands”) to control his left shoulder.

Cath also said to never allow him to go straight when I ask for a turn, but to stop him, then turn him. Otherwise he’ll think he can get away with choosing the direction.

With all the corrections, I did finally get a canter right on a circle. It remains to be seen if I can get him to do it when I’m there by myself, but at least I have things to try.

The good news is that I am getting a stronger seat all the time. Saturday during our customary cool-down walk around the perimeter of the property Champagne spooked three times at the wild turkeys, and I kept my seat each time and controlled the spook. A year ago I would have been on the ground; well, a year ago I was on the ground!