Can you make your horse canter whilst staying seated?

Question

Can you make your horse canter whilst staying seated?

Also, can horses drink a lot of cold water in one go if they are sweating?

Answer 1

You want to be sitting back properly in the saddle when you lope your horse, especially when doing transitions, and not in a two point position. Why? Because when you sit back you don't force too much weight on your horse's forehand, where he then will be a bit stiff and awkward. Consider how you would feel if you were hauling someone on your back. If they are sitting with their weight evenly distributed you could lift your arms and legs properly and move. If they are leaning too far forward, or to the side (like some people suggest when it comes to leads) then you have too much weight on one part of your body and too little on the other and you can't move properly. That is why you are supposed to quit posting if you ask your horse to lope from a trot, you need to sit, keep your horse collected up and ask him to push off with is back raised. It is okay to two point at times, that is what you are supposed to do when you hand gallop, so I'm not saying that you NEVER change positions, but I am saying that your horse will collect and use his back end better if you are sitting in a good position - the same that you would see a dressage or Western Pleasure rider in at the canter.
Second question. Can you give your horse water if he's hot and sweaty? Everyone is shouting - no, no, it will cause colic. (I guess we've all watched Black Beauty!) I guess there is some truth to that, but what do you think endurance and competititve trail riders do? Do they ride their horse hard all day but not allow him to drink? Consider that some ride 50 mile trips, or more. Studies have shown that is safe to allow a hot horse to drink water, if they are still continued to be excercised. In fact, a working horse must keep drinking or he will have problems before long. In other words, do not give your really hot horses unlimited water without keeping him moving. But a hot horse can and should be encouraged to drink, its just important that he doesn't swig down a huge, huge amount at one time and then stop moving. If he has a decent drink, than is walked around and excercised lightly some more, and then given more water to drink, he should not have any problems. This is what endurance riders do. They get off at check points, cool their horses by bathing the large muscles and offer water. They allow the horse to nibble grass, but they keep him slowly moving along before offering more water. When it is ready to be rode off again, they continue on their way, offering it water at every watering hole. A really hot horse is at increased risk for dehydration, anhidrosis (lack of sweating) and heat stroke.
If you continue having questions on this topic, I would suggest speaking to an equine vet. Get the specifics, because I do not remember the entire article I read. Ask how much can a hot horse drink at once, and when does it become a problem.
Good luck with your horses.

Answer 2

You absolutely should not let your horse drink cold water while they are hot. Walk them to cool them down, and then if the water is really cold, let them take a small drink and walk them some more. Letting a hot horse drink even tepid water is not a good idea, and letting a hot horse drink cold water is a terrible idea. That's like asking for a colic.

Are you asking from a two point or half-seat? What level of training is your horse? It shouldn't be an issue to do a canter transition from a seated position.

Answer 3

It's been YEARS since I have ridden, but drinking a lot of water when a horse is sweating will give your horse a major stomach ache and cramping.

Get a book on "leads" You should be able to draw your horses head in and get them to canter on command on either the right or left lead. There is no reason not to be seated as you should be sitting low in the saddle when moving your horse forward into the canter from a standstill. A trip to the equestrian library seems to be in order.

Answer 4

ok wait? are you asking if you can sit a canter? It depends how you ride, where your seat is and how smooth the horses gaits are. I can sit one horses and not the other.Sorta like one horse's trot is easier to sit and is smooth and some are soo bouncey you can't.
and about your water question: you should let them take about 15 sips of water(watch their throat) and then walk them around the barn once or twice then let them take 15 more till there not thirsty. I was taught that so they don't colic

Answer 5

Lauri S is correct. The no-cold-water thing is one of those "old-hand tales" we all hear. Remember: Just because it's always been done this way doesn't mean it's the best way to do it. ;)

Gotta love science.

As for the cantering, you shouldn't be leaving the saddle to transition to canter in the first place. Just sit back and give the proper lead cue.

Answer 6

Horses should not drink a lot of water when they are hot because it could cause them to tie up or to colic.

You should not leave the saddle to get your horse into a canter.

Answer 7

Yes to the first, no to the second.

Giving a horse too much water, especially if its really cold, when they are heated & sweaty can cause a number of problems. You can let them take small sips while they are cooling out, though.

Answer 8

You can make your horse canter while your riding or lounging, but nothing other. You shouldn't sit down while lounging your horse-it's not safe.
You shouldn't give your horse cold water while he/she is still hot. This can cause colic. You should give them slightly warm water.

Answer 9

To answer your second question, as I'm a western rider and can't help you with the first. Recent research has shown that it is NOT a bad thing to let horses drink their fill. It actually helps them cool off faster, and rehydrates what was lost in perspiration.

Answer 10

You should only leave the saddle in a two point or posting trot.

your horse should be cooled, and cleaned of all sweat before drinking.