A: <\/strong>First let\u2019s talk about the walk\u2013canter transition. Most young horses can easily accelerate from a halt or walk into canter. Let\u2019s face it, your OTTB went from a standstill into a gallop in his previous career. Yet the walk\u2013canter transition does not show up in dressage competition until Second Level. Second Level is the first level that requires collection. The reason for this is that in dressage we want more than just an obedient walk\u2013canter transition. We expect the walk preparation to keep a clear walk rhythm as the horse accepts the half halt by shortening the walk and keeping or increasing his balance. We expect a clear transition with more weight on the hindquarters as the horse steps into a collected canter. A clean, balanced walk\u2013canter transition in a calm and confident demeanor can be a significant step for a Training Level horse and rider. <\/p>\n If a horse and rider are capable of the following elements, the walk\u2013canter transition will be part of a logical training progression. You will be most prepared for this exercise if you can:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Consistently perform trot\u2013canter transitions at various places around the arena, on both a circle and a straight line.<\/p>\n \u2022 Give aids for the canter that are consistent and correct.<\/p>\n \u2022 Perform trot\u2013canter transitions that are calm, prompt and balanced.<\/p>\n \u2022 Half halt effectively in preparation. The half halt (DR 108 in the USDF Rule Book<\/em>) is a hardly visible, almost simultaneous coordinated action of the seat, the legs and the hand of the rider, with the object of increasing the attention and balance of the horse.<\/p>\n \u2022 Stay with the correct mechanics of the gait as the horse steps into canter.<\/p>\n \u2022 Keep the training progressing with a positive attitude, accepting the small mistakes along the way. <\/p>\n Let\u2019s go back to the second item on the list: consistent and correct canter aids. The generally accepted aids for the canter are the outside leg slightly back, the inside leg at the girth or slightly forward, a slightly increased weight on the inside seat bone and a steady connection on the outside rein. The rider needs to be able to allow the horse some freedom with the inside rein so the horse can reach freely forward with the inside shoulder. The outside rein stays steady. Some trainers emphasize the importance of the outside leg and some emphasize the inside leg. Whichever set of aids you and your trainer prefer, it is important to be consistent. We often talk about the seat. Be honest with yourself. If your seat is not yet controlled enough to weight a seat bone without leaning, just stay centered.<\/p>\n Now for some ideas on cleaning up the transition:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Make a transition (from the walk) into canter through the trot. Allow a certain number of trot steps. As the transition becomes easy, reduce the number of trot steps by one until you are going directly from walk to canter. Make this a game for you and your horse.<\/p>\n \u2022 If you and your horse have spent time with groundwork and longeing, this may be an ideal time to use the voice as an additional aid. Even though we are not allowed to use the voice in dressage competition, this is one training situation where a cluck or a verbal cue may help your horse understand what you want.<\/p>\n \u2022 Make some small lateral movements to get your horse listening to your aids more quickly. The movements don\u2019t need to be to the full show angle, use just enough angle and steps that the horse reacts promptly to your aids. I like to use a few steps of a mini-leg-yield each way, then go into canter. When using the leg-yield to prepare for canter, you do not need or want a big crossover step. Keep the steps active and work to increase the response to your leg. Sometimes a few steps of a mini-renvers gets the horse active, balanced and ready to canter. Work with your instructor to decide which steps work best for you.<\/p>\n \u2022 Play with the timing of your canter aids. The horse steps into canter off the outside hind. So if you are going into a right-lead canter, you need to cue your horse when the left hind is stepping onto the ground. A ground person can help as you develop the feel for which hind leg is touching down.<\/p>\n \u2022 Have a more experienced rider school your horse in the walk\u2013canter transitions. Once he is confident stepping directly into canter, give it a try yourself. <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/migrations\/dressagetoday\/canter-transition.jpg\"){kind=spacer}
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