Horse doesn't like to canter?

[NewHorseMom]

I can ride my horse pretty good at the walk and trot. He goes around obediently enough, and we can do our walk-trot tranisitions with ease. The problem is, is when I want to canter, he just trots faster. When he does this, I try and give him a kick hoping maybe he will break into a canter but then he just trots even FASTER lol. At this point I am bumping and flopping all over the place, and then I stop and try and start over but the above situation repeats.

[peppysan]

First make sure there is nothing wrong with your saddle fit. Also it does not hurt to have his back looked at to make sure nothing is "out" and that is causing discomfort. How are you in the saddle when you ask for canter? Are you secure in your seat or bouncing around? Some horses won't canter if they feel their rider's seat is not enabling them to. Are you pulling back on the reins while you ask for canter as he trots fast? You maybe unknowingly stepping on the gas pedal and the break pedal at the same time...

[striderrider]

Does he canter easily while being longed? Both directions? If he canters well on the longe then use that to get him to canter when he is being ridden. Use a voice cue as he goes into the canter on the longe, such as the word "canter." Make sure he is sharp to your aids first though. Give him a good kick while in the trot to wake him up before you ask for canter, but don't let the forward energy escape out the front door (by him running off). Harness that energy between your leg and seat, the trot should be ACTIVE. Then, use the voice cue as well as a crop, and your leg aid to get him to go just a few steps. Then praise him, get off him and put him away for the day. Try to plan your session so that the canter is the last thing that you ask for. Gradually work up to a longer time cantering and go from there. After a while he will willingly go into the canter and carry on cantering.

[NewHorseMom]

I will check my saddle, I never thought of that. I can have my instructor have a look. When I ask for canter, I do bounce a little bit, I am working on this though. He is cantering fine right now on the lunge line, both directions so this makes me think it is rider related (me).

[horse99]

Honestly it sounds like you need some lessons on the lunge line on a well schooled horse, where you can learn to canter and SIT without interfering with the horse. Only once you can canter with an independent seat (meaning you don't need the reins or saddle for support) and you are not bouncing but sitting WITH the motion, should you go and learn to canter your own horse. It sounds like he is a bit worried about you and he is not clear with your signals.

[ThisOnesWild]

Yes, get some lessons!! All horses know how to canter...sounds like he has got your number!!