Help to get right canter lead

chickeninabun

chickeninabun

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Please could I have some ideas and tips on getting my horse to canter on the correct leg on the right rein.

Left rein is no problem, always the correct lead, although she does seem to be much more balanced and supple on the left rein.

Thanks :)
 
We had a sticky patch with right lead recently because I was tensing my right shoulder and bringing it forward and I wasn't keeping weight in my left leg. Once I stopped doing those silly things my mare could ping into a nice right lead!
So many different things could be causing it, a weakness or lameness, uneven muscle development or tightness, sore back, teeth etc. Since you know how you ride and your horse the best then you are best placed to run through those options and then if needed get the right expert in to help fix stuff! Good luck, such a mine field as there are so many potential causes!
 
Get some outside bend before asking on a corner. Also do this out hacking, try to alternate legs so that she evens up.
Is she young?
 
scatty_mare said:
Get some outside bend before asking on a corner. Also do this out hacking, try to alternate legs so that she evens up.
Is she young?
Click to expand...

I wish!!:rolleyes: She's an old fogie at 16!!:o

Sorry, being a bit dense... do you mean on the right rein, bend her head to the left slightly coming into the corner then ask?? And am I asking with inside leg on girth and outside leg behind??:confused:

Sorry, yes I know I need lessons but new trailer tyres come first!:o:D
 
My friends horse had some nasty injuries a few years back, and has compensated by always going on the wrong lead on one rein (think it was the right rein)
Her instructor got her to do a shallow loop and ask for canter at the end of it, or you could leg yield and ask for canter at the end. Or the other one was to really get him moving forward (he'd shorten right up to evade the correct canter lead) she'd get him practically extended trot then ask for canter and pop into the correct lead.
It may not work as I suppose it depends on WHY the horse is getting the wrong lead. But worth a try
 
Have the same problem with my Mare (just turned 6) Shes very one sided. When I had her 5* vetted (May) vet did pick up on it and said she was very weak on one side, so do lots of hill work and lungeing to build her up. Which I have been doing.

In the school I have been putting a pole out and then when she steps over the pole (in trot) I give the aid for canter and she often gets the right leg now. I try to keep that canter going with lots of circles etc. If we lose it, we go straight back over the pole again. It has really helped her.
 
Agree with other comments. Only other one I can add is to look over your outside shoulder as you ask for the canter as that also shifts the weight balance. It does the same job as remembering to not throw your weight to the inside shoulder and remember the weight through the outside leg but foreces you to do it without having to think about it too much. Worked a treat with OH and his mare.
 
chickeninabun said:
I wish!!:rolleyes: She's an old fogie at 16!!:o

Sorry, being a bit dense... do you mean on the right rein, bend her head to the left slightly coming into the corner then ask?? And am I asking with inside leg on girth and outside leg behind??:confused:

Sorry, yes I know I need lessons but new trailer tyres come first!:o:D
Click to expand...

Yes, that's right! Just normal canter transition but with outside bend (only need a bit). It's something to do with lifting the inside shoulder which allows correct hind to step underneath... I think that's how she explained it!
The pole exercise is also very effective.
 
Agree with outside bend, would also just lay my whip down the outside shoulder to discourage her further from running through it. You want to free up the inside and make it hard for her to pick up the outside (wrong) lead.
 
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