Canter! What to do with your seat, legs, shoulders, elbows, and more!

How do you move your body in the canter?

A LOT of riders struggle with the canter. In the canter, your seat, legs, shoulders, and elbows all have to be doing something different! Here are some tips to help you figure out exactly what each part of your body should be doing in the canter!

About the canter:
The canter is a 3 beat gait. Beat 1 is the outside hind leg, beat 2 is the inside hind leg and outside front leg, and beat 3 is the inside front leg.
This sequence of footfalls creates a rocking motion where there is an up phase, a level phase and a down beat in the canter stride. It is important to note that the canter is the only naturally bent gait: there is a left lead and a right lead canter!

Seat: In the canter your seat goes from the back to the front of the saddle and your hip angle opens and closes. On the up beat of the canter, your seat is at the back of the saddle and your hip angle is closed. On the down beat of the canter, your hip angle is open and your seat slides towards the front of the saddle. If you don’t move your hips and waist in the canter, you end up “posting” the canter and bumping into the saddle.

Leg position: In the canter you must keep your leg in position for the lead. The inside leg should stay at the girth and outside leg should stay behind the girth in guarding position. Keeping your legs in this position indicates which lead you want and it also helps to keep the rider’s weight over the inside seat bone. It is very important to keep your legs in the correct position particularly if you have a horse that knows the flying changes. If your outside leg comes forward, the horse will break to the trot or may do a flying change!

Shoulders: “Keep your shoulders still and more your hips” for the canter. You do not want to shimmy your shoulders side to side sway back and forth.

Elbows: In order to establish a steady contact in the canter your elbows bend and straighten as you canter to follow the nodding motion of the horse’s head and neck.

This is a LOT to think about! Your hips, legs, shoulders, and elbows all have to be doing something different!! Remember to breath and smile and enjoy your ride!!
#canter, #dressage, #amelianewcombdressage

[flipflopcat]

I've learned more from your videos than I've done from 4 years of riding school

[AmeliaNewcombDressage]

The canter is HARD! and there is a LOT to think about! Hope this helps you to break things down!

[falizianme]

It's definitely my hips... I have a hard time maintaining the swishing motion! I also tip forward! I had a lesson yesterday and the visual cue was to push my stomach out thru my elbows! This helped me get my shoulders back as well! My horses canter changed dramatically! Another great video and as always timely! I've been struggling with this issue forever! Think I'm finally getting some motor memory ! 🙃🦄

[rossolinger]

oh, I didn't actually know you were supposed to keep your legs in the canter position! I thought that they were supposed to return back to normal position after the upwards transition. That was really helpful thanks!

[Violet_Pinklion]

Girl- you couldn’t have explained it better. I really appreciate you making this video! Thanks from Australia 🇦🇺

[nwart]

The elbow explanation was so helpful! I'm one of those upper body boat rowers and I just realized I subconsciously do it to give the horse his/her head. I've been so frustrated because I also know my upper body movement is counterproductive and now I know how to correct it. Thank you! Your videos are great.

[davinci]

You ride beautifully and explain the key details very well. It really inspires me to keep trying to improve or solve issues with my horse. Thank you !

[JC_HasMyHeart]

Breathing!!! I have to remember to breathe to stay relaxed 😁😁
It was helpful for me to hear I should put my weight on the inside. Thank you

[joanne]

I’m doing your workouts three to four times a week and I’m definitely getting stronger I love them how they are displayed and in difficulty and set up for equestrian’s

[silvanagarcia]

Thank you Amelia, you teach me more than any school class! I watch your videos every day and sometimes repeat them over and over so your tips stick in my mind! Tks a lot!

[piafferider]

Oh I was never taught anything about the seat- we just bounced! Thanks so much for this!

[jadewycheung]

I like how you are teaching with a calm voice. Thank you!

[sammyjof]

Im a western rider who took up englisg about a year ago. I am really struggling with canter. Your video is the best one out there. Cant wait to try these tips during next ride. Thank you!!

[thefali]

after so long, now only i know that to let the relevant leg STAY behind the girth while canter, .. thank you so much..😅

[pariahmouse]

I was so proud of my breathing last time I cantered, haha- I know it's such a small thing, but before I was definitely holding my breath, I could certainly tell a difference just when I breathed properly!

[robertatalbot]

You are a good teacher. You explain related dynamics in a nice, patient, and deliberate style that helps emphasize for the viewer the importance of the sequence of actions and positions to enhance communication and performance. Thank you.

[lindav]

Thank you for this "lesson". I was chuckling aloud near the end when you were trying to show the shimmying shoulders. !!! Can't wait to practice canter again.

[avac]

Thank u so much! This totally I tried cantering my first time yesterday and it didn’t go well.. but this will help much like I’m so grateful :)

[natalievandenberg]

Your horse is gorgeous and I learn so much from your videos thank you so much for posting them!

[cristinamoyano]

I am watching all details that I need to improve. It is hard but you are so clear!