Monty Roberts Equus Online University | Monty's Horse Training Post: Giddy up rope to encourage canter?

Learn all about Equus • Dually Halter • Shy Boy Mustang • Jumping Horses
• Story of a Horse Whisperer • Riding Horsemanship • Dressage Horses • Willing Partners
• Horse Training • Round Pen Lessons • Performance Horses • Join-Up

Watch Monty's horse training videos to learn how he demonstrates communication through horse training techniques that the amateur and professional alike consider to be the trainable skills of a horse whisperer yet Monty calls it horse gentling.
Monty's horse training techniques are non violent with intelligent natural horsemanship. In addition to video instructions, Monty has written many books related to natural horsemanship. Monty trains safe horses for nervous riders called Willing Partners. Monty trains world class race horses for sale.
“I am very proud to be a part of Her Majesty’s horse training and her passion for their welfare. I believe she is the leading monarch for the advocacy of horses in the world. She is a thought leader in this field. Her Majesty's horses are trained using the Dually Halter, making a difference in the training of sensitive animals by giving the horse the choice to partner in the training.” ~ Monty
“I communicate with a horse in what I call the Language of Equus; a silent language of gestures that is discernible, predictable and effective. Now you can learn from my videos, audio and notes to help you understand the horse as I do. This language is really quite simple, but simplicity becomes its greatest strength.” ~ Monty
Monty Roberts is a renowned horse trainer known as the man who listens to horses and the original horse whisperer. Monty's horse training instructions are accepted worldwide.
Monty has helped thousands of people globally through his Monty Roberts Online Videos to learn how to Join-Up with horses, training young horses, spooky horses, horses that bite. His mustang , Shy Boy , is his most famous horse.
Join-Up methods help horse and trainer to establish a bond of communication and trust. “You must somehow understand that we as horsemen can do very little to teach the horse. What we can do is to create an environment in which he can learn.” ~ Monty
Monty says, “We hear that ‘actions speak louder than words,’ but generally we do not live by it too successfully.” Now Monty has taught thousands of people worldwide how to build trust in animals through our actions and body language.
Monty’s principles really amount to common sense and immense patience. He believes that children and horses have the same behavioral patterns. They are both naturally “flight” animals. "If you frighten them and resort to confrontation, you’ll lose their trust." ~ Monty
"Simple one-on-one reassurances and praise reap long term dividends that can all be undone with the quick slamming of a book on a desk or shouting back." ~ Monty Roberts
"No one of us was born with the right to say 'You must or I'll hurt you' to any other living thing, animal or human". ~ Monty Roberts
"My life's goal is to leave the world a better place than I found it, for horses and for people too". ~ Monty Roberts

← back

Horse Behavior and Training

Giddy up rope to encourage canter?

By:

Joy

Date:

2011-May-30 at 09:25PM

Hi! I have a horse that I'm having trouble getting him to canter. He will pick up a canter for a few strides and it's a beautiful, smooth canter. But he loses it quickly going back down to a trot. I'm open to any suggestions of course but I'm really wondering if the giddy up rope may help him keep the canter.

Kicki -- Sweden 2011-May-31 at 12:17PM

Regardless of whether the Giddy-up ripe helps or not; have you established why he loses the canter in the first place?
If I understand correctly, he is happy to obey when you ask for it, but simply can't maintain the rhythm, right? And then he moves on at a trot - he doesn't stop or slow down?
.
I can imagine the Giddy up rope being quite useful in encouraging him to canter on, if leg/seat aids are correct but he ignores them. But if he fails because he loses his balance or strength, then you need to fix that first, before you ask for more, or you'll be asking for more than he can give you.
.
I don't know how old your horse is, but while even a young horse, generally, has no problem in cantering on his own; under a rider it's a whole new deal! So I would suggest you start by checking up on your own technique as a rider.
For example; If he's too low in front and puts too much weight on his forelegs/shoulders, he won't be able to canter without falling forward and into a trot.
Same thing if his posture is correct, but you sit in a way that will hinder his movements.
If the horse is older, I would give him a check up for problems with back, knees or forelegs (fetlock joints)(as well a saddle fit) in case he has some physical problems.
.
Sorry for the long answer! Wishing you tons of good luck with him!

Joy 2011-May-31 at 03:03PM

Thanks for your suggestions! I'm riding this horses for its owner and believe I have the right leg cues. The horse is 19 years old and is physically capable to do the canter. He just had a
veterinarian check up. I will try the giddy-up rope and see what that does. Also, Ill be extra aware where my body is and what his body is telling me. Thank you again!

Dennis 2011-May-31 at 08:16PM

Joy
Does the horse do the same thing with it's owner? If not then it is something to do with your riding or communications with the horse. I am sure that you are a very good rider otherwise you would not be asked to ride someone else's horse. It also my not be your leg queues at all but the reining queues. How you communicate through the bit can be troublesome if the horse is taught certain commands using the reins. For example I have taught my horse to walk from a trot or canter when I drop the reins or even let up on the pressure to the bit. Most horses will go faster if you loosen the reins when you are in a canter. I felt it was safer to tighten the reins slightly when I wanted more forward movement. So you might ask the owner if there is any particular rein queues that the horse has been taught. Hands are as important as your seat on a horse, that is one of the reasons horses can be difficult to ride smoothly.

Good luck

Joy 2011-May-31 at 10:29PM

Dennis
Yes, the horse does the same thing for the owner. Your thoughts are helpful. Ill talk to the owner again and be careful with my rein cues. Also, thank you for your compliment about my riding!