Trot / Canter / Trot Transitions.
The transition between canter and trot and back to canter is developed using the trotting poles to regulate the rhythm and to articulate the joints. This is a great way to improve the “jump” in the Canter departure and to help the horse lift and use its back during the downward transition from Canter to Trot.
Spiraling Out from 13m circle to 15m circle using Trotting Poles for Longitudinal Stretch.
From the medium size circle make the circle larger again by spiraling out to a 15 meter circle through the Leg Yield, so that your new size circle passes through the trotting pole grid.
We will call this the “trotting pole size” circle.
Keep the bend and trot over the poles, rising, and then staying on this size circle returning to the purple cone corner.
Now make the circle smaller to the medium size and then smaller again to the small size.
From the small circle spiral out again through the Leg Yield to the medium size circle and then again spiral out through the Leg Yield to the trotting pole size circle.
Once you feel that the horse is starting to lift his back over the poles and reach forward and down ask for a canter departure as you leave the trotting poles.
Stay in canter on the trotting pole size circle until about A and ask for a trot transition a couple strides before the trotting pole grid.
As you progress on this exercise you can ask for the trot transition closer and closer to the poles.
Repeat 2 or 3 times, however, be careful, I find the horses start to anticipate the canter transition as they exit the grid so don’t overdo it.
You can change things up by staying in the trot after going through the poles. Keep your horse listening to you!
If you feel your Horse is “carrying” you in the Canter, it is time to try smaller Canter circles.