Week 3 Practice in Action Focus on Canter 

WELCOME TO MODULE 3 - Developing the canter

To consider practice in action is to stay aware of what’s happening while you ride.
When we’re in canter, part of our role is to feel the movement as it unfolds, tuning in and supporting our horse with what we both need in that moment.

Cantering a well-schooled horse presents a picture of harmony between horse and rider. A good quality canter feels light, cadenced, and balanced, with a clear three-beat rhythm and a moment of suspension.

As we work on developing our horse’s canter, straightness becomes an important focus. Horses naturally tend to canter slightly quarters-in. To support them toward straightness, we don’t push the quarters out, we guide the shoulders into alignment. Riding in slight shoulder-fore helps the horse develop a more balanced and equal connection through both hind legs.

This ability to carry weight evenly helps improve the horse’s balance and self-carriage.

At the same time, we refine our own clarity using well-timed, consistent aids and continuing to develop our balance and position to give our horse the best chance of success.

Cantering is something many riders enjoy and each time you school, it offers a new opportunity to listen, adjust, and deepen the dialogue.

Activate your canter work 

Cantering brings a unique kind of energy to your schooling sessions but it’s not just about movement, it’s about communication.

This week, bring your awareness to what the canter tells you. Is your horse able to respond smoothly to your aids? Is the your horse balanced in canter, is there tension building through the transitions?

Explore how you ride into the canter, and how you support your horse within it. Are you riding forward with purpose or tipping the balance by asking for more power than your horse is ready to carry with ease in that moment?

Try riding transitions within the pace: develop the canter towards medium, then thoughtfully return to working canter while maintaining energy and expression. Each transition is a conversation, make sure it’s positive and encouraging. Praise your horse for trying, and let them know when it feels good.

Build in rest breaks to help your horse recover and reflect. Riding transitions on a circle works well, repeat for two or three circles, then switch the exercise. Riding forward to walk is also a great mid-session reset, giving both of you time to breathe and think about what’s working and what to carry forward next time.

And don’t forget to ride on both reins.

Try different variations

It’s time to explore different shapes and patterns that help both you and your horse refine balance, straightness, and communication.

✨ Canter Circle
Start simple. Ride a true canter circle. What do you notice about the canter itself and about your confidence as a partnership? Can you mantain the rhythm and shape with ease? Is your horse staying balanced?

✨ Canter Diamond
Next, ride a diamond shape. This subtle change encourages more active steering and shoulder positioning. Did you feel your horse adjust their balance as the shape changed? Were you able to guide your horse and position their shoulders to the inside? 

✨ Canter Square
Now try a canter square. This asks more from you both; balance, corners, straightness. Was it harder to maintain the canter? Did you find a moment that felt really good that changed your expectations for how you would like the canter to feel today? 

✨ Trot Large, Forward to Walk, Change Rein
Use this as a moment to recover, reset, and prepare to work on the other rein. After your transition to walk, take a breath and then repeat the same sequence—circle, diamond, and square—on the new rein.

This gives you the chance to notice differences, support both sides evenly, and build symmetry in your training.

🔍 Reflect
Ride a circle again. Did those variations help? Is it easier now to ride a more accurate shape? Try riding in shoulder-foreto support straightness. What does your horse need to stay light and balanced?

Each variation offers clues. Trust what you notice, and stay curious.

A Feel for canter & Communication 

Cantering well isn’t about controlling every step, it’s about developing a conversation you can trust.

This week, take time to notice how the canter feels when your aids are clear, consistent, and quietly timed. Can you guide your horse without micromanaging? Can you allow them to carry some responsibility while you stay softly present?

Remember: this isn’t about endless repetitions—it’s about quality, clarity, and connection. Even small moments of lightness or understanding are worth celebrating.

Use your summer school resources to reflect, journal your observations, or revisit the exercises. And if you’ve noticed something shift—however small—share your reflections in the Rider Lounge. Your insights might help another rider notice something, too.