Canter lead

[peanut]

How do you tell if you've got the correct canter lead without looking? If I tip forward to look, my horse becomes unbalanced and usually falls out of canter.

I know I should be able to feel it from behind (I think it's the outside hind leg that steps under first but please correct me if I'm wrong), however is there an easier way?

 

[spookypony]

You're correct about the leg, but I think you're over-thinking it! Try this: get a person on the ground. Without looking down, say what lead you think you've got, and they can tell you if you've got it right. If you do this lots, you'll soon know how it feels to you if he's on the correct leg.

 

[peanut]

The trouble is that I don't have anyone to be on the ground

 

[spookypony]

Ah. Do you have access to a school with a mirror?

 

[Kayfm]

look down at his shoulder, just like if you were checking your diagonal, you can tell the lead from this. once you get the hang of it you will not have to look, you will know imediately from the feel.

 

[ester]

bareback, much easier to 'feel' then.

 

[Kenzo]

Concentrate on cantering on both leads on the same circle, so you learn to feel the difference between the two, yes you will have to glance down to see but its only the way you will learn to feel once you sit back up, get feel for it while the horse is in canter, rather than stopping and starting and correcting the lead...plus this just gets equally frustrating for the horse. Do a few 20 meter circles and change the rein in canter, and see how it feels, so in effect say for example you have the incorrect lead, ride a 20 circle a few times and then change the rein so then your riding your next circle on wrong lead.

Some horses that are very well balanced and regularly do counter canter, although you'll feel the difference will be equally as balanced, where others that are not used to this will feel more uneven.

Once you notice the difference, then work on transition, the feel of the horse stepping under into canter with the correct hind leg and way the horse swings his quarters and how he is coming into your hands when asking for a canter.