Training Medium canter


You are looking for regularity of the strides when doing medium canter, with the hind legs being able to come further under the body and appear as though they are pushing the horse forwards in a light, uphill way. The rider should be in complete control using light seat and rein aids.


“I look at the natural canter first, to see if it has a correct three beat sequence,” says Elder. “Is there a good moment of suspension naturally and has the horse learned to transfer his weight back onto his hindquarters and hind legs? Can I get the horse to go forward easily from the leg aids with clearly lengthened strides and ground cover?


“The medium canter is just a longer stride. It covers more ground because the horse’s frame and strides lengthen. The horse should lengthen more than in working canter, but less than extended canter, which is required at the higher levels of dressage. The important thing to remember is regularity, lengthening of steps and frame, keeping an ‘uphill’ feeling, straightness and that you ride good transitions at the start and finish.


“I train my horses to change gear within the canter, starting from working canter to medium canter and, as they get stronger behind and their hindquarters develop, from working to collected canter.” (see below).


Dior showing height during a medium canter Collected canter


“In collected canter the horse’s stride length becomes shorter and the height of the steps become taller than in the working canter,” Elder continues. “The horse must be in good balance, with more weight on the hindquarters than on the shoulders, and he should have a shorter, taller outline as a result.


Dior demonstrates his ability to collect in the canter


“He must be working correctly over a rounded and supple top line with a soft contact and he must understand your aid to do a half-halt. He must also be


strong enough to take his weight behind, staying relaxed and listening to his rider.


“To introduce collected canter, do some exercises to strengthen his hindquarters so he is able to carry more weight behind. Exercises you can use include smaller circles, counter-canter (see page 21) and direct transitions between canter and walk, walk and canter, demonstrating that you can keep him balanced throughout.”


Canter stretch


At elementary level you will be required to show some canter stretching on a circle. The judge wants to see the horse take the contact forward, down and out without losing balance, while maintaining the same rhythm. You may find your horse hollows or rushes off when you first teach it, and it’s a good idea to introduce the idea at the end of a schooling session when your horse may be more willing to stretch. A test may specify you ask for canter stretching on part of a circle, specifically between two markers.


It is best to introduce this exercise on a circle to help the horse maintain his balance.


Starting from a correct contact, gradually feed the reins out an inch or so at a time, only giving as much as your horse takes. The idea is for the horse to stretch on a long rein, rather than a loose rein, so avoid chucking the reins at him. Taking your hands a little lower and wider will help to encourage him to stretch. In the same way, when you ride back from the stretch to a ‘dressage’ outline, take the reins back quietly and gradually.


This exercise is great for teaching the horse to carry himself in good balance and allowing the muscles to stretch during a warm-up, cool down or during a break in a session.


In the canter stretch the horse should take the rein forward, down and out For advertising telephone 01380 734373 | DECEMBER 2019 19


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