Advice for getting the correct leg when cantering on right rein...

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So I got an ex race horse last summer and have slowly but surely started the re-schooling process. She's very stubborn but is now accepting contact and is carrying her head beautifully without training aids. Really pleased with her progress but I am still having problems with cantering. On her left rein, she picks up the correct leg every time (I know race horses favour one leg over the other so this must be hers). However, she can still be a little fast when cantering (nothing crazy at all - just isn't as collected as I would like but I know this is due to lack of muscle strength as she's only just started working from behind so it's hard for her) and often throws her head when I first ask her to canter. Before anyone comments her saddle is fine, she had a brand new saddle fitted for her and no back problems, she has regular physio and her teeth are fine she has this done every 6 months due to an overbite. Anyway, on her right rein I really struggle to get her to go on the correct leg. The only time I have been able to do it consistently is if I canter her on the left rein and ask for a flying change over a pole near a corner and she then switches. Does anyone have anymore advice on how I can get her to go on the correct leg on the right rein and any tips for getting a nice, controlled and steady canter?
 
This is a bit of an essay, but anyway;
You could try to make the shape with your body before you ask for canter. Like, on the lead you want to strike off on put a bit of weight in that stirrup. Putting weight in your stirrup should sort out the angle of your body. Also flex the rein on the lead you want to strike off on.

While you sit the trot, before asking for canter, think of changing the rhythm of your seat to a 3 beat canter rather than the two beat trot. Be sure to do a couple of half halts before the transition so the horse doesn't get strung out and lose its balance.

What really helps is if you can time your canter aid to when his inside hind leg is off the ground in trot.
In trot, that's when you can feel the weight on your outside seatbone. If you ask for canter then it makes the strike off easier/ more likely to happen.
 
I had an exracer who had the same problem. I found leg yielding him across then asking, sorted him out immediately, and helped him organise his body
 
It's counterintuitive but sometimes putting them on the relevant bend cramps the shoulder so they can't lead with the inside foreleg. Try opening the shoulder by flexing towards the outside just as you ask for strike off (try it yourself, weight one shoulder and then try and reach to the front with that arm)
 
Its a begger, getting them on the right leg . As Bob my faithfull(mostly) steed explains : The right leg is only right half the time ,then it is wrong . The Left leg is also right half the time but then it is also wrong even if it is left not right. I ,Mike not bob , have had a little positive result from asking said bob for a canter from a very tight circle ,slow but energetic ,then slowly opening up the circle. Bob is a complete fruit loop so this may well not work elsewhere. Just remember you are not alone! lol
 
Someone recommended reading the Sylvia Loch books, which have been very illuminating to me with regards to weight aids, and definitely recommend them to anyone, I thought I understood how to ride correctly, but her books have highlighted I had some gaps in my knowledge. In one week we've been able to progress from being a little hit and miss with picking up right rein canter lead, to getting them more or less consistent even on a straight line, walk to canter.

She writes that you need to weight your inside seatbone/advance the hip slightly and lighten the outside in order to pick up the correct lead, whilst remembering to sit tall because leaning your body in the direction you want to go/lead you want to pick up will actually weight the outside seatbone.

I know one way to do this if you are not overly body aware is to actually look over your outside shoulder as you ask, this should put your body in theory into the correct position for asking.
 
ihatework said:
In general, a big factor will be because either she is crooked, you are crooked or a combination of both.
The crookedness can just be strength and training or it can have an underlying physical reason.

What you need is a good eye on the ground
Click to expand...
Totally agree with this. I've had a few issues in getting Rose to take the correct lead in left canter but if I use exercises to get her straight, she'll take the correct lead every time. She's been a lot better since having her back done too. I also have a tendency to be a bit crooked too, so having "eyes on the ground" has helped me to straighten myself up. I use leg yield to straighten Rose as it helps to get her into the outside rein rather than give me too much neck bend, also gets her listening to the inside leg.
 
live2ride said:
Someone recommended reading the Sylvia Loch books, which have been very illuminating to me with regards to weight aids, and definitely recommend them to anyone, I thought I understood how to ride correctly, but her books have highlighted I had some gaps in my knowledge. In one week we've been able to progress from being a little hit and miss with picking up right rein canter lead, to getting them more or less consistent even on a straight line, walk to canter.

She writes that you need to weight your inside seatbone/advance the hip slightly and lighten the outside in order to pick up the correct lead, whilst remembering to sit tall because leaning your body in the direction you want to go/lead you want to pick up will actually weight the outside seatbone.

I know one way to do this if you are not overly body aware is to actually look over your outside shoulder as you ask, this should put your body in theory into the correct position for asking.
Click to expand...

Ditto Silvia Lock, very clear explanations (although I don't get her "three point seat" AT ALL - I sit on two seatbones!)
Also Heather Moffet books, very clear.
Best I think is Walk to canter when schooling - this enables you to think about the aids and gives time to organise yourself. Use voice as well as suggested above. And "canter"
The bend to the outside can be used as it opens up the inside shoulder and shuts down the left shoulder, always remembering that the first beat comes from the hind leg ! I think this is OK if you are in a competition situation but try and get it right at home when schooling. It could be the fact that the horse is slightly bent to the left, so straightness training, shoulder-in will all help.
 
JillA said:
It's counterintuitive but sometimes putting them on the relevant bend cramps the shoulder so they can't lead with the inside foreleg. Try opening the shoulder by flexing towards the outside just as you ask for strike off (try it yourself, weight one shoulder and then try and reach to the front with that arm)
Click to expand...
This is a trick i have to use for my boy who tends to struggle with the correct lead on the RR due to an old issue. He will 90% of the time do it correctly if i do this. It can look a little hairy cause i have to almost make him do a left turn before a canter, but it works lol
 
On the other hand my pony will only go on the correct lead if bent to the direction you wish to go preferably with a slight quarters in too so curved like a banana around your inside leg
 
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