Don't laugh but how do I know he's on the correct leg?

[Gorgeous George]

Ok confession time, I have been riding for 30 odd years and I have never been able to tell when a horse is cantering on the correct leg (usually rely on instructor telling me). I can tell from the ground no problem but not when on board, of course now I have George and I'm riding on the school on my own I need to know. I feel a right numpty and I'm sure people must watch and think 'does she know she's on the wrong leg'? Thankfully the dressage test next week is only walk/trot!

Help!

 

[happyhack]

The inside front foreleg is the leading leg

 

[BeckyD]

I normally feel like I'm getting thrown one way or the other in canter, and initially that was the way I used to identify which leg I was on, I got used to the sensation of getting thrown one way or the other and just learnt which leg that meant. Now I can feel when the inside hind is stepping under so I think I rely on that. I'm not sure - it's not something that I ever think about! Now I'm not going to be able to tell am I, I will have thought about it too much

 

[SecretSquirrell379]

I know if I'm on the wrong leg as its blinking uncomfortable and very bouncy!!!

 

[Gorgeous George]

um thanks happyhack I know which leg it should be I just meant how can I actually tell if he is correct when I'm up there?!

 

[OrangeEmpire]

Clever people can tell without looking, but for us lesser mortals a quick glance down should show you the inside foreleg/shoulder leading.

 

[_Libby_]

when the horse goes into canter look down at their front inside leg - you should hopefully be able to see that it is leading, also the horse should feel unbalanced if on the wrong leg

 

[Christmas_Kate]

look down (but be careful to just glance, or you might tip your head and unbalance yourself / George).

When are we going to see some more pics of the gorgeous boy then??

 

[sarahwilkes]

Once cantering, have a quick glance at his shoulder to see if the inside one is leading, as you would to check if you are on the correct diagnal when trotting.

hope it helps.

 

[hannah87]

have a look, its very easy to tell if u glance down at their inside shoulder (if u can tell from ground ul be able to tell wen ur riding i think). once youve had a look, hopefully on correct lead try and remember how it feels. then ask for wrong lead - and u shud be able to feel a big differnce. wrong lead just feels, sort of wrong. sorry not much help! i wud have a sneaky glance tho untl u can feel it for yourself (and once u can feel it, stop looking at shoulder!)

 

[kerilli]

you should be able to feel that that inside forelimb is coming further up and then forwards more. if you start cantering after a 12-15m circle, to make it clearer and easier for the horse, and then if you can trust your horse, shut your eyes for as long as you dare and concentrate on the FEEL of what his shoulders are doing.
if you put your mind to it, you will be able to feel it fairly quickly.
get someone to tell you immediately every time too, if necessary. don't be embarrassed, we all had to learn it!
it gets to the point where you can feel just at strike-off that it is or isn't going to be the correct leading leg, and adjust/correct immediately, honestly!
best of luck!

 

[carthorse]

Look down and you should see the leading leg going forward more, then sit up and think what it feels like.Then try to canter a staight line and feel which leg it is then look down to check if you were correct.You should start to feel the difference between each leg as it will feel like your hip is pushed forward on the leading leg side,just like if you play horsey's by cantering on your own feet,or have I been playing with my granddaughter too much.LOL

 

[grandmaweloveyou]

hi gg, inside leg should be extended further forward than outside leg, only way i can explain it and the only way i know is by glancing down as other said, also, as others have said, asked- where are some pictures pretty please? pm me if you prefer not to post pics on forum but i know we are all keen to see him, please??? with sugar and icing on top!

 

[0ldmare]

Until you can work out the 'feel' of being on the right leg try looking down at the horses shoulder. The side that has the most/longest movement is the lead leg. So if you are on circling left then the inside shoulder should have the greatest degree of movement. Might take a little time to see but just keep looking

 

[Sal_E]

It's easy enough to look, but you need to try to get a feel for it - how about have a lunge lesson & work on canter transitions. You would need to THINK about it (with eyes closed may help - hence lunge lesson helpful!) & report to your instructor if you think you're right or wrong. On an ongoing basis, your instructor should get into the habit of saying to you 'is that right or wrong' rather than just telling you, so you get used to feeling for it.

I remember working on an exercise once which helped to teach the rider to influence the stike off leg - all canter transitions at x - i.e. turn up the centre line in trot & ask for canter at 'x'. The idea being that you had planned which way you were tracking at C or A, you you needed to ensure a correct stike off at X to then go your planned way. Once you've mastered influencing the correct strike off, you should find that a) you can rely on it being right 99% of the time & stop worrying about whether it's right or wrong & b) you'll find you can more easily feel when it IS wrong.

 

[Shilasdair]

You need to practice feeling the horse's leg positions. Walk round the school, ask for halt, whilst looking elegantly forward. Once halt has been established (you'll know because all movement should cease

) say out loud where you think each leg is (left leg - slightly forward of right leg, hind legs square or whatever - clue - there are FOUR legs). Then lean over (hang onto that mane, though, you don't want to fall off in halt, or you'll spend the day pretending he was galloping) and see if you are correct.
You can do the same in walk - look at the ceiling/sky and name each leg as it hits the floor...left hind, right hind etc. Then look down and see if you're right.
Safety note - only look at the ceiling/sky if schooling far from cliffs, swamps etc.
S

 

[Gorgeous George]

Ok guys I will give it a go, sounds such a stupid question after all these years of riding, especially when you just rely on someone else to tell you!

GG seems to have something of a fan club, I am hoping to do a practice plait up on Fri so i'll try and get some photos.

 

[spider]

Don't feel stupid. I have the same problem. I just have to set him up right so he gets the correct leg then it doesn't matter that I can't tell. It's no good me looking down - he's got too much mane. Also stops me seeing when his head is crooked!