JANUARY 2013 THE RIDER /35


How The “Not Canter” Can Drastically Improve Your Transition By Kathy Farrokhzad.


We’ve been there before: every time you ask for the can- ter (with the correct aids), the horse resists. The situation becomes ugly – you have a hard enough time just sitting the bounciness, never mind getting the transition. You kick, use your voice, use the crop, rock your body over the forehand of the horse – anything to get that canter!


The horse’s response can range from a mild hesitation, running faster and faster in the trot, to an outright buck or rear. Eventually, you win – the horse launches himself into a lurched, scrambling canter, running off at warp speed just to keep the three-beat gait. Ears are pinned, tail is swishing, and the strides feel awkward and unbalanced. Imagine experiencing the dread that comes along with having to do something particu- larly undesirable. Some horses get into the same emotional (and physical) bind when it comes to transitions. At times, it can hap- pen even to the best of horses – a new learning phase with high- er expectations might provoke mental, emotional or even phys- ical stress. There may be ear pinning, tail swishing, hopping, kicking out, teeth grinding – so many signs that your horse


might be finding the task too difficult.


Many riders feel that the discomfort must be a sort of right of passage, and the horse must be driven through this awkward and unbalanced phase. Surely, the horse MUST give in one day and eventually settle into a nice calm, rhythmical canter – it only takes time and enough repetition of force. Right?


Well, probably not.


It is true that some horses do “give in” and eventually can- ter more promptly – but there will always be an element of tension and lack of balance. What needs to be changed is the pattern of asking – the horse needs to be shown how to be calm and confident in the canter departure.


There are many methods to teaching a good transition but the “not canter” works easily and well if performed with gen- tleness and empathy. It is actu- ally very simple – the difficult part is the waiting and patience that is required. How to “Not Canter”


Establish a good calm, slow, rhythmical trot.


Apply the aids for the can- ter.


Then do not canter. That’s it!


not the canter, they are all the prerequisites to a good canter. They are all mini-steps in the right direction.


Then ask for another “not canter”. And another. And another.


One time (probably sooner than you expect), the horse will canter. But it will be hesitant, slow stepping, breaking back to the trot. And you will celebrate that too!


Of course, your horse will initially react the same way he has the past hundred times. He’ll pin his ears, shake his head, and maybe grind his teeth. He’ll tighten his back and brace himself for a launch into the canter universe.


And you will NOT. You will keep trotting – keep the rhythm, staying steady, slow, calm. Wait until he releas- es the tension, finishes the hops and tail swishes. Wait for the sigh of relief when he realizes that he doesn’t have to perform on the spot.


Re-establish the trot. Then, ask for the “not can- ter” again.


Keep doing this and wait for the horse to respond more calmly to your aids. He may be confused at first – why ask for something when you don’t want it? But eventually, he’ll see that the canter aids don’t have to cause all that tension.


If he happens to reach fur- ther underneath himself with his hind legs, you will celebrate. If he snorts and swings better in the trot, you will celebrate. If you discover that he takes larger trot strides, you will celebrate. Because even though these are


Stick to the program – calm, slow, rhythmical trot. Put on the aids again: “not canter”. Wait for the next canter attempts, and once or twice, accept the canter. Do your best to follow the movement – but don’t force it. Accept tentative attempts. Encourage by petting and ONE time (when the horse is soft and calm and unsuspect- ing), ask for a real canter. If there is a hint of tension, back off and “not canter” again. Feel free to quit at any time that you feel your horse has somewhat calmed. You can always pick it up again tomor- row.


And be sure in the knowl- edge that this “not” path to the canter is much faster and truer than any method that requires force. Your aim is to prove to the horse that you will always give him the benefit of the


Four In A Row For Chesler


After two successful back to back competitions under her belt, Frankie Chesler of Trinity Ranch, Okeechobee decided to try for two more with week three traveling to Lady Lake Equestrian Center for their NCHA Cutting Com- petition just outside of neighboring Leesburg, Florida to ‘rustle’ a cow for the top prize going home with the cash and prize buckle.


Class. He was very cordial and interesting with great tips for training. He really set the bar for the classes which made the day even more challenging and fun! Both mounts are owned by Trinity Ranch and as Frankie remarked, “I am switching them to dif- ferent levels of difficulty to ask the questions and then ease the level for the next


Leesburg has great history with a canal and garden community center- piece built in 1938 as a WPA project and citrus industry and is now famous for their annual Leesburg Bikefest where more than 250,000 people journey to the festival. Although, Frankie did not have time to stay, when passing through noted that the gar- dens are beautiful.


However, the nearby Lady Lake Cutting Compe- tition had a large turnout with quick action through- out the day and great results where she won the $2,000. Limited Rider on


competition so that they digest it and their perfor- mance speaks for them- selves.” She is quite proud of their progress and they are certainly drawing posi- tive attention. Frankie now has quite the collection of buckles to choose from for the finishing touches. Frankie is now quali- fied for the 2013 NCHA Eastern Finals to be held in


Jackson, Mississippi which she will attend. New hors- es and mounts are in train- ing and will be coming out to show their stuff. As mentioned previously, Frankie is preparing to announce the Trinity Ranch opening date in Jan- uary, 2013. In the mean- time, remember to ‘Let Your Seat Feel the Beat’.


Handle of Faith and gar- nered second in the $10,000. Novice Horse on Sugarbadger Two. ‘Sugar’ is naturally catlike, has learned to crouch really low and really loves ‘own- ing’ his cow.


Finally week four brought Frankie to the NCHA Gold Coast Circuit held at Linked D Ranch under the watchful eye of Judge Ivan Howard for a


great day of cutting out the cows. A video is on line for your perusual; Frankie Chesler Youtube (dated11/17/12). A heavy rain the night before nearly kept the day from being perfect however, after reworking the footing as the saying goes, ‘The Show Must Go On’. With an anticipated big number of exhibitors, the day went smoothly under bright


beautiful skies, frisky cows and great competition. Frankie took her Trinity Ranch cutters, Handle of Faith and Sugarbadger Two who placed second and third in the Open Class then first and second in $10,000. Novice Horse, respectively.


For the pleasure of all, clinician/trainer Pat Parelli competed throughout the day and won the Open


List your 2013 events for free! Our next deadline is January 21st


doubt, and that you are willing to wait for the results. Happy riding!


Note: The “not” technique can be used for any movement: the “not trot” (from a walk), the “not walk” (from a trot or can- ter), the “not shoulder-in”, etc. It is essentially a frame of mind – can be used anywhere and any time!


**Caution: The “not can- ter” might not be helpful in all circumstances. If a young horse is cantering for the very first time, this would be counterpro- ductive. Also, there may be instances where a horse might become too excited if the energy is contained too long. Always use your best judgment in using any techniques, and seek the help of a more advanced rider/trainer if necessary. And always let the horse be your guide – you should be able to identify fairly quickly if the horse appreciates the technique.


Bio: Kathy Farrokhzad is an EC coach and writer of the blog, Horse Listening. If you liked what you read here, check out her blog at www.horselisten- ing.com for more articles about horses, riding and life in gener- al.


© 2013 Horse Listening


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56