For those of you who have read my posts, you know cantering is a sticky point. I have dissected the issue from left, right, top, and bottom. I practice the departs in my brain a la Jane Savoie. Wednesday my non-horsey friend said "for God's sake, just do it." So last night I just did it. We only cantered half of the ring each time but we did three departs. They may not have been pretty but I'm figuring out what buttons to push for Ariel. Bob was perfectly trained that I did walk to canter without the pesky trot.
Ariel likes a looser rein contact, period. For canter departs, I do an outside half halt, open my inside fingers rein, give her outside leg, and I know she's transitioned when her ears are pinned.
Sunday's lesson will be a lot of canter departs. Problem is, she breaks into the trot when I sit up. Guess I need more leg.
