Hello Everyone,

   I need some advice on how to teach a horse to pick up the canter with english aids. My 18-year-old Appendix QH mare was for most of her life, 15 years, a western/gymkhana horse. So she isn't used to the idea of our aids. I'm guessing she's used to the kick once for walk, twice for trot and however many times for canter. I'm guessing they didn't care what lead she was on or if her head was tweaked up and out, from what I've seen of most of the gymkana riders where I live this is the case.

I've owned her for 2 1/2 years, I've been riding for the same amount of time. Began cantering about a year or so ago, before that had a back injury and before that I was satified with the trot. So now that I've began to take my riding seriously, want to start showing next year. She picks up the right lead with a verbal aid, but won't pick up the left lead (and when she does it's this big ordeal).

I find that the canter is one of my big hurdles I must overcome. So I find myself in need of all your expertise.

 Thank you,

    - Nicole

I don't know if it's the fact that she doesn't "get" the english aids, but that it might be possible that she can't pick up and hold the left lead canter, not that she won't.  If she can canter that easily on the right lead, I think she's either not strong enough for the left lead, or there is a physical problem.  Can she canter on the left lead on the lunge line?  Find out what she does without a rider.  If she picks up the lead well, then try her with just your saddle.  Still okay?  Have someone lunge her with you in the saddle.  What's the response?  If things change, as in she becomes resistant and/or doesn't get the lead, there might be a saddle fit issue.  If she can't get the lead on the lunge line at all (before the saddle test), it could be a fitness/soundness problem.

If the problem seems to be the saddle, do you have the option of trying some different saddle on her to check?  If it's a fitness issue, work on transitions and lateral work (from the ground, if needed) to get her to work the left hind to get used to lifting up and pushing, as you would for the canter depart.  

Also, since she's 18, there may be some other physical problems, such as some slight arthritis that is making her a little uncomfortable and resistant to cantering on the left lead.  Is she getting any type of joint supplement? 

 I would agree with the above poster. A lot of horses have more trouble with one lead than the other, and with your mare's background it's possible this has become a habit now. It would be a good idea to start her on the lunge line and see how easily she can pick up her left lead without a rider. You may have to do a lot of retraining. 

 I think usually physical problems end up not being the reason, but it would be smart to check that out, especially considering her age. If she's turned out at all, can you observe her to see if she ever picks up the left lead on her own?

If you haven't been cantering that long yourself, then you may need some professional help. "Rider error" can often be a part of the problem. Believe me, I speak from personal experience!

I've taken one official dressage lesson last November, haven't since do to winter, I started lunging her with side reins at the advice of the trainer. She picks up the left lead easier then the right on the lunge line. She's a bit unruly on the lunge, so I'm not sure I would want to be on her for that. She does pick up the correct lean when turned out.

She used to be on supplements and I plan on putting her back on them.

If she was used for games, she knows her leads. She wouldn't have very good times running a barrel pattern on the wrong lead, she'd be too off balance. I agree that it's either pain or the wrong cues. What cues are you giving when you ask for the canter? Keep in mind the amount of stress 15 years of gaming has put on her joints. Sharp turns and fast take offs can really put some wear and tear on them.

 So when you ride her, you have trouble getting the left lead, but when she's on the lunge she actually picks that up better. It's starting to sound like unclear cues on your part might be the problem. Or your own balance. This is so, so common, I fought with it for a long time myself. A good instructor should be able to give you some ideas. Sometimes cantering over a ground pole can be a big help. But the best thing is to have someone right there watching you ride her.

 If she hasn't been lunged much in the past, that might be why she's unruly on the lunge line. They have to learn what to do there just like anything else. Also, some horses don't take well to side reins at first. Hopefully she'll adjust and settle down pretty soon.

ndmpatriot:

She's a bit unruly on the lunge

HA!  Gotta love the 18 year old that's unruly on the lunge....  That's one of the reasons I truely like Appendix horses.  They're Energizer Bunnies, no matter what the age.

Since she can pick up the lead on the lunge and also when turned out, it sounds more like a preference for the "easier" lead.  If the former owners didn't care which lead she was on, she just picked the easiest one.  Wouldn't you?  It may be easier due to fitness and/or soundness, so it will be something you'll still have to work on, along with the possibility of differing cues.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!