Left Canter Lead

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melbournesunrise

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Both before I bought him and since I bought him, my gelding has struggled to canter correctly on the leg rein. Right rein, he is correct 99% of the time, but I'd say that on the left rein it's probably more likely to be 15%... Whenever I have manged to get him to go off correctly, I've done something different most times (including a 10m circle before asking, asking in different places in the school, using a crop to reinforce my right leg, bending him left, not bending him left, lifting my left hand... I'm sure the list goes on!!!)

Anyway, we were hacking out at the weekend, and he was his usual self - cantering exclusively on the right lead, and with that feeling very powerful and together. By some miracle, he ended up on the left lead for one of the canters, and it was incredibly different. And really, really weak compared to the right lead!

I do lunge him when I can (although now the nights are drawing in, this will obviously be less frequent than it has been in the past months), and he can canter on the correct lead on both reins when being lunged (as long as he is calm...). So I know that I am contributing to the issue, but different instructors tell me different things - one gets me to try different methods (as above and more) to encourage him to strike off correctly, whereas one of the others is less worried and allows him to carry on on the wrong leg round the school.

I don't want him to keep being wrong, because at some point I would really like to get out and do some dressage competitions, however small. What would you be trying to correct this issue? Are there any exercises that I can do that will build him up to be more even, so that the left lead isn't weaker than the right (again, I've had conflicting advice from several different sources about this)?
 
In the school, I would ask for canter coming out of a corner, indicating strongly that you expect him to canter on the left leg, remember he needs to bring his hind leg under him to strike off correctly, so timing of the aids can be crucial. Does he respond well to voice aids? Could you find a physiotherapist who could work with both of you. Personally, I would ditch the RI who lets him canter round on the wrong leg, he will never build up the muscles to be correct, that way.
 
I have had this problem but with the right lead! I found that going really deep into a corner and placing a pole so it’s coming out of the corner diagonally and ask for canter as you go over the pole I got a much better and cleaner response! You almost want him to have no choice but to throw his left leg out. Then keep it for as long as you think he can and ask for trot before he falls out of canter and praise praise praise. I did this a couple of times, a few times a week and it made a huge difference!
 
Pearlsasinger said:
In the school, I would ask for canter coming out of a corner, indicating strongly that you expect him to canter on the left leg, remember he needs to bring his hind leg under him to strike off correctly, so timing of the aids can be crucial. Does he respond well to voice aids? Could you find a physiotherapist who could work with both of you. Personally, I would ditch the RI who lets him canter round on the wrong leg, he will never build up the muscles to be correct, that way.
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This, there is absolutely no benefit from cantering around on the wrong lead apart from allowing the issue to become even more established.
There are many methods that can work to correct it and a good trainer should be able to fix it fairly quickly, I worked with one horse that had conned his owner for ages that he was correct, he was so well balanced she thought it was fine, he was not easy to get right and I had to ride him for a few sessions but he did get there and went out winning dressage within a few months.

Some need the rider to be much more aware of what they are doing, a slight tendency to shift the weight can make the horse go wrong, working on them in walk and trot to ensure they are truly straight and moving from the leg is my first step, then I work on improving the transition on the good rein so they are very clear about the aids and then we work on the less good rein doing whatever I feel will be the most benefit for the individual, some need a pole, some a deep corner/ small circle, some leg yield into canter, some do well asking from walk, once you find the key it is about repetition until they are finding it easy and not getting flustered at all, plenty of breaks, plenty of praise when they get it right and never getting cross with them when it goes wrong, it is probably the rider that has got the timing wrong.
 
I hesitate to be the one to mention the dreaded VET word and I would be all means try other routes in terms of rider balance, schooling, change of instructors etc., but don't discount the possibility of it being a soundness issue. I had one that had a similar issue with one canter lead which I put down to schooling and my inbalance. It never presented like lameness etc and no-one ever mentioned this (eg instructors) but after I sold her to a more experienced rider she ended up identifying something in her leg that needed an op - she came right and was sound and did great from then on, but due to my inexperience I never spotted it at the time.
 
Bernster said:
I hesitate to be the one to mention the dreaded VET word and I would be all means try other routes in terms of rider balance, schooling, change of instructors etc., but don't discount the possibility of it being a soundness issue. I had one that had a similar issue with one canter lead which I put down to schooling and my inbalance. It never presented like lameness etc and no-one ever mentioned this (eg instructors) but after I sold her to a more experienced rider she ended up identifying something in her leg that needed an op - she came right and was sound and did great from then on, but due to my inexperience I never spotted it at the time.
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That's really interesting to hear though... I'm curious to know what she spotted, and what operation she ended up needing? As you say, he's never presented as lame, and it is quite likely an effect I'm causing that I want to get rid of, but if it did happen to be something physical that could be fixed, that would be... well, not good, but sort of good-ish, in a way :confused:

Thanks to you all for your input - I'm going to try the pole in the corner tonight (and get my OH to move them when my horse inevitably kicks them the first few times ;))
 
It might be an idea to work more in general on the left rein at the moment, even in walk and trot, to build up his strength on that side. He's probably gotten so used to being able to canter on the right lead that the left feels strange to him now. Like PS said, ditch the instructor who's letting him do it. There's absolutely no benefit in letting him go on like that.

Do you jump? My first suggestion would be to come into a jump either in trot or canter on the left rein, and REALLY look and accentuate a left landing as soon as you've taken off.
 
Just be careful of trying TOO hard to make him strike off on the left lead. If you ask for too much left bend you can put them off balance and make it harder for them to get the correct lead.
Don't over-try if you get my drift.
I did read of what sounded like a good exercise, do a 20m circle in trot at one end of the school, as you cross x leg yield out a few strides, then half halt a couple of strides, then ask for canter.
The exercise sets them up to get the correct bend and then get their hocks under them.
 
It might be the rider not the horse. You could see if another rider has the same problem with him.
Many years ago my DD had the same issue, while giving her a lunge session on the pony in question I asked her to move him out using just her inside leg - he neatly and instantly launched into canter on the correct leg. After that she asked for canter using inside leg and achieved 100% success. :) Don't know what she was doing before, but the pony didn't understand.
 
SpringArising said:
It might be an idea to work more in general on the left rein at the moment, even in walk and trot, to build up his strength on that side. He's probably gotten so used to being able to canter on the right lead that the left feels strange to him now. Like PS said, ditch the instructor who's letting him do it. There's absolutely no benefit in letting him go on like that.

Do you jump? My first suggestion would be to come into a jump either in trot or canter on the left rein, and REALLY look and accentuate a left landing as soon as you've taken off.
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Thanks - it's funny you should mention jumping: we had a grid work lesson on Tuesday, nothing big as he's still regaining confidence after being not jumped and fussed over for a good many years. Towards the end I had someone video our last two attempts. On one, he struck off wrongly onto the right lead, and we just glided through the grid. On the other, he took off correctly onto the left lead, and those were the ones we nearly messed up.

little_critter said:
I did read of what sounded like a good exercise, do a 20m circle in trot at one end of the school, as you cross x leg yield out a few strides, then half halt a couple of strides, then ask for canter.
The exercise sets them up to get the correct bend and then get their hocks under them.
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That sounds like an interesting exercises, thanks! I'll try it tomorrow :)

D66 said:
It might be the rider not the horse. You could see if another rider has the same problem with him.
Many years ago my DD had the same issue, while giving her a lunge session on the pony in question I asked her to move him out using just her inside leg - he neatly and instantly launched into canter on the correct leg. After that she asked for canter using inside leg and achieved 100% success. :) Don't know what she was doing before, but the pony didn't understand.
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I know that his previous owners, and pretty much all the sharers they had for him, had the same problem, as they commented on it just before I bought him.


As it happens, I rode him tonight and used a pole in the corners to help us get the left lead. After a couple of tries and being brought back when going off wrong, he got the idea that he needed to use the other leg. However, then when I went back to the right rein he used the left lead! I wonder if he's just been so used to cantering on whatever leg he likes and hasn't ever truly realised that his riders want a particular leading leg... he's not the sharpest tool in the shed at times, and having had so many different riders in the past it would be easy for him to be confused!
 
melbournesunrise said:
That's really interesting to hear though... I'm curious to know what she spotted, and what operation she ended up needing? As you say, he's never presented as lame, and it is quite likely an effect I'm causing that I want to get rid of, but if it did happen to be something physical that could be fixed, that would be... well, not good, but sort of good-ish, in a way :confused:

Thanks to you all for your input - I'm going to try the pole in the corner tonight (and get my OH to move them when my horse inevitably kicks them the first few times ;))
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Hopefully it’s a ridden or schooling issue for you. I googled and think it was OCD - a bone spur in her left hind. Surgery, box rest and rehab and she went on to do really well inc showing. Good luck!
 
A pole can do the trick. Or leg yield out from a smaller circle then ask, engages the outside hind. Another trick that I don't think has been mentioned is asking from rising trot on the incorrect diagonal. This was a real lightbulb moment when I was struggling with a young horse. Doesn't cure the weakness/problem but once you get onto the correct lead at least then you can work on the canter.

melbournesunrise said:
As it happens, I rode him tonight and used a pole in the corners to help us get the left lead. After a couple of tries and being brought back when going off wrong, he got the idea that he needed to use the other leg. However, then when I went back to the right rein he used the left lead! I wonder if he's just been so used to cantering on whatever leg he likes and hasn't ever truly realised that his riders want a particular leading leg... he's not the sharpest tool in the shed at times, and having had so many different riders in the past it would be easy for him to be confused!
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This sounds like you are getting there, but at this stage remember to be really disciplined about making your aid spot on (whether you ask from inside leg or outside leg primarily). He is obviously trying to please!
 
turn his head slightly in the direction of lead you want, (natural) don`t forget to do the obvious!

lunge jumping over a small jump while on the circle, so he can practice on his own picking up the correct lead.

he is trying to please by going off on the left when he should be picking up right.

make sure you are looking to the left and directing your weight to the left and not holding on to his mouth so he can step through.

try to do it in slow motion, take time so you feel what you and him are doing, right or wrong,

take loads of time to work him in and let go of anxiety about failure before canter work, and just play and talk to him using voice aids in a relaxed voice, most early canter session strike offs will not be perfect, the main thing is to be ready with seat and hands to go forwards with him as a reward.
 
I tried again today, but without the poles (no OH to move them ;)) because I figure that I can't use them forever, and I wondered if there was something else I could do myself to make things work. He is definitely one of those horses who tries desperately to please the rider, and I am very conscious of this, which is why I am careful with how I respond to him.

Anyway, we had MUCH more success today than I usually get - especially at the beginning. By bending my right leg so that my knee is pretty much a right angle, and giving a clearer aid than I've ever had to give any equine, we manage to get left canter pretty reliably - any points where we went off wrong, I can be quite certain that it was my aid not being clear enough for him. In spite of being a little flustered at times, and anticipating canter before I asked him to go, we actually ended up having some very quiet but correct transitions. I think a fair part of this has been my confidence, which has definitely grown a little this week!

Thank you so much for all the suggestions and advice - I'll be building a few things into any schooling that we do to mix things up a bit. Fingers crossed that I can make it work in tomorrow's lesson, and possibly get a left canter out hacking as often as possible to help build his strength :)
 
I haven't read all of the replies so sorry if I am repeating, for left lead canter the first footfall is right hind, followed by left hind/right fore together, then left fore as I am sure you know, so for him to take off on the wrong lead he has to use the left hind first, if you ride a leg yield so the left hind is crossing it makes it nearly impossible to use it to take off on so riding a leg yield into canter is the easiest answer to this. Equally if there might be a problem or weakness the right hind is where I would be looking first.

I would also try and ride someone elses horse or hire something and make sure you are not causing any problem as they can quickly train you to ride differently!
 
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