Left Lead Canter Trouble. Tips?
 

i have a 5 year old, ottb. He picks up his right lead canter no problem, and he used to pick up his left lead after a few trys. Now he rarely ever picks that lead up. He will pick up a canter, but its the wrong lead. Any tips ?

Need some more details....but firstly have you ruled out any soreness that may be making him resistant? Also, HOW are you asking? And is the horse nice and soft and moving off your leg before you ask for the left lead?

There is no soreness , and yes he moves off my leg and hes round
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Ok. Have you tried having his hip pushed into the circle while just tipping his nose into the circle also (just so you can see his eye?) this sets him up to pick up the correct lead and push off with that inside hind. Make sure he's soft and collected when you ask.

Also, can you elaborate on what he does when you ask for that lead....like throw his head up, rushing into a fast trot, or simply canter of on the wrong lead....

I will try that! Thanks.
& he just canters on the wrong lead.
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Subbing, interesting thread, would like to learn more.

Ok, try my previous suggestion by having him walk a few steps nice and collected with his hip pushed into the circle, nose gently tipped in....and ask....if he gives you the wrong lead, pull him down and ask again....AS SOON as you get the correct lead, give him a release by relaxing your hands and keep some outside leg on him to keep that hip in and stop him from switching on you. When you get the correct lead for one nice circle, let him stop and rest so he knows he did the right thing....this will give him incentive to pick it up each time you ask, and by pulling him down to a halt and asking again when he has done it wrong is you saying 'no, that's not what I want' and he will quickly put it together in his head.

Thanks so much , ill try this
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When watching a horse in the field have you ever noticed that his head is directed to the same side as the driving hip when he canters. It is away from the leading foreleg like a counterbalance. I do the same when asking for a particular lead. So much easier. In time, with practise it will become barely perceptive, just a touch of the rein.

The site froze so I unknowingly double posted.