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How do I make my horse canter on the correct leg?

3K views 15 replies 8 participants last post by  kitten_Val 
#1 ·
Nice natured quarter-horse. Have had her six weeks. Don't know *much* history, but she is good to ride, generally. I have switched her from Western to English (I'm a Brit). Just spent an hour trying to get her to canter on her left leg. Tried neck-reining, pulling on inside, offside leg behind, inside leg forward, smaller and caller circles until I thought she really MUST canter on the left leg. But, no, she still started on the right. I don't know how she does it. Feels very strange and almost unstable. Any ideas? Thank you.
 
#2 ·
If you get vertical and lateral flexion and good control of the hindquarters the leads will cease to be an issue. If you can't leg yeild your horse at a walk and trot then lead changes will be very hard. You should also be able to step your horses hindquarters around at a standstill.
 
#15 ·
I started another thread on the same subject as I am having the exact same problem. I have quoted Kevin because I can do all of these things. I honestly believe that I have good control of the hind quarters but still can not get Phoenny on to the right lead canter. I have got lots of advice which I have systematically been working through.

For my next trick I intend to try trotting in a small clockwise circle, making sure I am on the correct diagonal and kicking her **** over with a spur to try and trip her onto a right lead. I have been trying to get her on a right lead in a straight line and not crowding her too much if you know what I mean. If this doesn't work I will be flying Kevin over to get my horse to lead with her right foot.
 
#4 ·
Same thing. If you can get done what I suggested you will have no problem taking the correct lead.
 
#6 ·
Thanks, again. She needs some significant training. Most horses I've ridden (trained and untrained) cantered on the correct leg if they were going in a circle. Ah well. That'll teach me. At least it'll keep me busy. Getting back into horses after a 25-year lay-off. Still at the beginning of a steep re-learning curve.
 
#8 ·
Nice natured quarter-horse. Have had her six weeks. Don't know *much* history, but she is good to ride, generally. I have switched her from Western to English (I'm a Brit). .
If she was trained western then she may be a "smootch" horse.

So many (esp western) do a "kiss' or "smootch" or "cluck" (sounds like a barn when they ride...lol) that this could be the case.:wink:

I have always scratched my head when this is done to lope the horse and wonder.....does a double smootch mean left and a single smooth mean right lead?
 
#10 ·
So many (esp western) do a "kiss' or "smootch" or "cluck" (sounds like a barn when they ride...lol) that this could be the case.:wink:
Talk about "divided by a common language!" I'm getting there, slowly. Making friends who ride well and can translate what I'm trying to do in English to Western (or vice versa) so I can figure out how to do it. Basically, the same, of course. But there are differences. I think Josie (the mare in question) will learn English soon enough. She's a sweetie.
 
#11 ·
Have not lunged her, yet. Used to lunge ours in an open field back in Wales. Nowhere to do that here without the other horses interfering. Got a round pen but part of it is too soggy at the moment. Either need to re-surface (too expensive at the moment) or wait until it's a bit drier.
 
#12 ·
A long time ago I remember at an old stables I used to ride at, they had an inexperienced horse and to get him to canter on the correct lead they had a pole sticking out which the horse had to go over or something like that (i really can't remember). You could try asking someone for more information on what that is? Sorry that's not very helpful :D
 
#13 ·
i have a simular problem with my horse, he starts on the left leg (on the left rein) and then changes as if he's giving up :P, i just trot him and then ask for canter again and repeat. i do that until he is cantering on the left leg for several strides then bring him back to trot (before he changes) and give him a pat. he seems to be getting the idea :) i also do this on a tight left hand circle so is harder for him to change. hope this helped, sometimes i think empathy os the best way.
 
#14 ·
Yes, I will try that. Agree I'm still getting to know my mare. She seems willing, maybe just doesn't know what I'm asking her to do. Perhaps the "cold turkey" switch from Western to English has something to do with it. We'll get there.

Shropshire, UK, eh? I'm from Llangollen. Used to ride with people from Shropshire when I was in the Pony Club. :)
 
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