Getting Stronger...Developing the Collected Canter

I have to admit back before I had brought my horse up to the FEI levels I thought I knew how much strength a horse needed.  But until I experienced it myself I had no real idea.  In order for the horse to perform at this level the horse needs to be fit, strong and balanced.  Without the strength to support himself the horse cannot remain in balance, no balance, no collection!

Yesterday I had one of the best rides on Cooper ever!  He’s still not quite where he was, strength-wise, prior to his laminitis episode, but he’s getting there, we were able to do four 2-tempis in balance for the first time since he got sick.  It’s a challenge here in SW Florida to build strength & stamina, we have no hills to work on.  But we have cavalletti and we can work on transitions.  We also work outside in the jump field, or go out on trails.

In addition to the usual canter exercises, like spiraling in and leg-yielding out on a circle; shallow loop serpentines; canter half-pass; transitions between shorter and longer strides; I have been using the following exercises for the canter:

Counter canter is an excellent suppling exercise when done in a controlled and balanced way.  The horse needs to be able to counter canter in balance prior to doing this particular exercise.

Pick up the counter canter to E or B, begin a 20 meter circle in counter canter, as you cross the centerline turn onto a 10 meter circle in true canter, then as you finish your 10 meter circle at the centerline continue your counter canter 20 meter circle until the next time you cross the centerline where you again make a 10 meter circle in true canter. 

I have been using this exercise and find it an excellent gauge of Cooper’s strength and balance.

Canter transitions from the halt:  Halt at C. Canter from the halt into a 10 meter half circle left rein. At the center line halt again. Canter right rein 10 meter half circle, halt on the center line.  Continue down the center line doing canter/halt transitions until you get to A. Then walk on a long rein.  

I am hoping that soon we will be back to full strength and be able to start showing again.