Ways to gain confidence for the canter?

Its good that you are practicing with sitting trot. It helps you sit more deeply in the saddle which will help you when cantering to stay in the saddle and allow you to follow the rocking motion of the horse. Make sure your heels are down, you sit deep on your butt and down to your heels, and look forward. When it comes to cantering use your thighs to hold onto the saddle a bit and have your hands in the horse's neck and mane. Just keep breathing and relax and you'll learn to love cantering.

Ahh I'm sorry! When I was learning to ride I had the same problem. I was scarred to canter because it seems fast and bumpy! I leaned forward just like you did and was to scarred to sit back. Then one lesson my instructor told me to sit back and I was like well she probably knows what she is talking about and I sat back and just like that I got it! It was no longer scary or hard. Think that the reason you are having problems and its scary is because you are doing it wrong and all you have to do is sit back and all those feelings will go away! After you do this you will find the canter to be the most comfortable gait. It is smooth and steady, unlike a bouncy trot!

Three years ago I fell off my horse while cantering and broke my hip and pelvis. Suffice it to say, I was terrified of her canter and it took me two years to even attempt to canter her again. What helped me the most was learning how to stay on the horse. I worked with my trainer to strenghten my inner thighs so that I would not fall off, even if I was bouncing. With strength and balance you will never fall off. Keep those heels down, sit deep in your saddle, keep your hands as quiet as possible and practice, practice, practice. Now I practice the same exercises at the canter that I used to practice at the trot, like standing up in the saddle or sitting 2 point. The only way to gain confidence is by practicing. Good luck!!