Any tips/tricks on how to see if you're on correct canter lead (numpty rider!)

miskettie

miskettie

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As the title says really. I have a real problem knowing which canter lead I am on (may be the same part of my brain that deals with knowing my left and right!).

In dressage we score really well on everything till we get to canter - if Enys strikes off on the wrong leg I just can't tell unless I am on a circle! So that usually knocks off 2 points and then lowers my rider score.

His counter canter is so much like his normal canter, even when I look at his legs often it doesn't look like one is going more forward than the other. I can usually tell on my mums horse.

I know it sounds like a really novice rider problem but I just can't get it!

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
Get used to it on straight lines either cantering large or on a hack. Look straight in front & feel which it is, then a quick glance down to see which shoulder is moving further forwards to confirm if you are right. It's also easy to tell with a longer stride as its more obvious. If you have someone else to watch & confirm if you're right that's better than looking down.
 
cant help sorry, but do sympathise, i have the exact same problem when i ride one of my horses, everyone just looks at me like im bonkers when i try to explain why hard it is to tell on her
 
Focus on learning to feel which hind leg is landing. Feel it through your seat. Start by learning in walk. Say "now" when the outside hind leg hits the ground and have someone watch to see if you're right.

The sequence of legs in canter is such that the stride starts with the outside hind leg. So there's the moment of suspension, which should be easy to hear/feel, then the outside hind leg. Once you can feel what the hind legs are doing, you'll be able to tell if he's on the correct lead.
 
Sugar_and_Spice said:
Focus on learning to feel which hind leg is landing. Feel it through your seat. Start by learning in walk. Say "now" when the outside hind leg hits the ground and have someone watch to see if you're right.

The sequence of legs in canter is such that the stride starts with the outside hind leg. So there's the moment of suspension, which should be easy to hear/feel, then the outside hind leg. Once you can feel what the hind legs are doing, you'll be able to tell if he's on the correct lead.
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That's an approach I haven't really thought of before...will give it a go.

Little legs - quite often I just can't see which leg is going more forward, unless I ask him a little faster. He is also very good at doing flying changes, so sometimes think I am on the right one then suddenly RI says I am the wrong one.

Alfielola - I am glad I am not the only one. It is a tad embarrassing as I have been riding for quite awhile now!

Devonshire dumping...he would probably scare himself he had a bell attached to his leg :D
 
Just look down, you'll see the inside leg leading if your on the correct leg. Simples.
The more you look the more you will learn how it feels, but honestly just glance down and check, if its leading on the inside (ie you see it coming forward) you are correct.
 
Buds_mum said:
Just look down, you'll see the inside leg leading if your on the correct leg. Simples.
The more you look the more you will learn how it feels, but honestly just glance down and check, if its leading on the inside (ie you see it coming forward) you are correct.
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I have been trying this but just doesn't work for me, I can't visibly work out which leg leads - I can see on my mum's horse no problems, just not on Enys's! Very strange I know.
 
Then as DD says tie something different to each leg say a bright ribbon for each rein, when you are for example on the left rein look for the leg with the red ribbon coming forward with each stride. If it doesn't then change leg and check again :) xx
 
Buds_mum said:
Then as DD says tie something different to each leg say a bright ribbon for each rein, when you are for example on the left rein look for the leg with the red ribbon coming forward with each stride. If it doesn't then change leg and check again :) xx
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That's a good idea...will fish out two different brushing boots, which are different colours. We may look mad but might help until I get a better feel of it. (or if you can't see boots from horse, I am sure I can find ribbon!) Thanks!
 
yeah anything! I couldn't get Bud on his left leg or tell when i was correct or not so my instructor removed his right boot so i just had to look for the boot coming forward. Get it first time everytime now I know what to feel for to set him up correctly.
 
Hands up to also not knowing how to tell which is the lead leg. Last Friday's lesson was meant to teach me how but hoss always strikes off on the leg I ask for so of course I got it right. Am learning flying changes and counter canter so I also need to get it right or there will be protests from my four legged partner. Must practice next time I'm out hacking. :)
 
treacle_beastie said:
Easy- your knee moves more on the leg they are leading on I.e if on left rein your left knee moves more ( I read that on here somewhere as I always struggled and now I can tell straight away!)
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Yes. I recognise that feeling :D Never had to figure out which leg we are on 'till now as we've just been doing circles and HE choses when to do his flying changes if we change direction.
Useful tip and means I won't get 'look up' shouted at me. :eek:
 
This is probably not going to make a lot of sense but.. when he is striking off you can feel which leg he is going to strike off on. The only way I can think to describe it is he will come 'up & back' more on the side which he strikes off with ie whichever leg he is on. Get someone on the ground to help and keep practising transitions and get the feel for both legs. Eventually you should be able to feel him preparing to strike off and will be able to correct him if he is going wrong. Hope this helps x
 
TJP said:
This is probably not going to make a lot of sense but.. when he is striking off you can feel which leg he is going to strike off on. The only way I can think to describe it is he will come 'up & back' more on the side which he strikes off with ie whichever leg he is on. Get someone on the ground to help and keep practising transitions and get the feel for both legs. Eventually you should be able to feel him preparing to strike off and will be able to correct him if he is going wrong. Hope this helps x
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That sounds very much like what my RI was trying to explain to me :o - thank you.

I have quite a few things to try now. Looking at my knee movement sounds like an easy one to try.

It is good to know that I am not the only one that struggles...it is embarrassing enough that at times I have to hold my hands up in L-shapes to work out which is left (though despite this I am actually a pretty good map reader - lol!)

Thanks everyone :D
 
miskettie said:
It is good to know that I am not the only one that struggles...it is embarrassing enough that at times I have to hold my hands up in L-shapes to work out which is left (though despite this I am actually a pretty good map reader - lol!)

Thanks everyone :D
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Different coloured gloves *nods wisely* I have a green glove for left and a black one for right.
Problem is I'm always losing gloves and I daren't swap over in case that blows the tiny braincell. :p
Anyone want 2 right green gloves and 1 left black glove?
 
I have a exactly the same problem and have been putting off competing at dressage, however this weekend it seems to have clicked! Think it helps that my boy is much fitter and moving much more forward :)
 
Buds_mum said:
yeah anything! I couldn't get Bud on his left leg or tell when i was correct or not so my instructor removed his right boot so i just had to look for the boot coming forward. Get it first time everytime now I know what to feel for to set him up correctly.
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*Sob* I tried this, this morning by putting a red bandage on his right leg. Only one problem...I can't see his leg when cantering! I can only see his shoulder moving - his shoulders are obviously too big and restrict my view :)


P.s. Karran - that's taking it one step further! During my driving test I put a ring on my right hand, which is a bit more subtle. Thankfully when having my dressage tests called I do know which way is left and right, it is only if I have to make sudden decisions!
 
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