I'm continuing the work on my balance in the canter. I was very careful today to keep my right seatbone down and my right leg vertically pressed down from the thigh. On the right rein my right leg wanted to slip backwards, so I was keeping it forward. I almost had a feeling that my leg is very near his elbow, which wasn't true (I've looked down). This gave me control of the right bend. However, I had to keep an eye on my left leg. I had to feel a lot of horse under my left seatbone. So much horse that it was comfortable to sit and comfortable to rap my leg around him keeping his haunches in control. It was very hard, I was losing it here and there and could feel immediately that canter was losing its elasticity and engagement.

On the left rein everything was so much easier. My left leg naturally presses down and keeping my right leg rapped around him and sitting on my left seatbone was not very hard. I do not know why. May be for him it is easier to accept me on the left lead. However, I do not think so. I think it is my clumsiness and slipping to the old habitual way of using my body that prevents me to control his canter the way I want. For now... There were moments today, I know what to look for.

He needs time to learn too. I think he is starting to give me his body in the canter. He is relaxing and allowing me to control it. Instead of tensing up and rushing forward.

Happy riding...