My horse wont get the right lead.

Question
I have a 4 year old thoroughbred retired race horse. She is a great horse. I love to ride her! I would like to show her, but she wont pick up the right lead. She will pick up her left lead fine.I have done everything I know to do, but she wont pick it up. What are some exercises that I can do to help her get the right lead?

Answer
Hello Kendra,

It is not uncommon for this problem to surface.  Most horses are one sided, as are most humans, and the right is the most often difficult side.  Added to that is the race track goes to the left.

Here is what you need to do:

Trot right circle, 20 meters in diameter.  She will in all liklihood pop her right shoulder and bend to the left.  Don't mind that.  Just continue trotting in the right rein, 20 meter circle.  Then spiral in to 18 meters. Then down to 16 meters.    When she is at 16 meters, in a corner going from the long side to the short end of the arena, put your left leg (outside)behind the girth and close it. Put your right leg (inside)on the girth.  Close your left (outside) rein and open the right (inside) rein.  Put your weight to the right and as soon as you enter the turn, squeeze to the canter.  This should put her on the right lead. If it does not, bring her to a calm trot and repeat the effort.  Sonner or later she will take the right lead.  Sooner if you get the aids correct and later if you don't. Continue cantering until she falls out of it into a ragged trot, which she will soon, because that right hind leg is not strong.  Reorganize at the trot and repeat the exercise, always keeping those aids.  

Read this over several times and run it through your mind when you are mounted so that you get it all together at the right time. Write it on a sheet of paper and tuck it in your pocket and review it before you attempt.  

The secret is to get her to think right. This is accomplished by the spirals to the right and your weight.  The left rein closing and your left leg behind the girth, inhibit her left hind leg from thrusting off, and the open right rein gives the right legs a place to expend the energy you create.

This has always worked for me and my students.  I think it will work with you.  


Happy riding,
Dorothy