correct leads

Question
we have a 4 year old mare who is doing beautifully with almost everything we ask of her, except for getting the correct lead when she goes to the right in the arena, we have been lunging her in the round pen and she will get the correct lead every time, even if she starts out wrong she will immediately do a flying change, when we put a rider on her back she never gets it except for maybe a stride or two, and sometimes over a jump she will pick up the correct lead. We are puzzled as to how to help her learn how to get it with a rider on her back except to keep lunging her and have her rider ride her in the round pen, any suggestions? thank you Nancy Haines

Answer
Hi Nancy!

Is this a really green rider?  From the sound of your question it must be.  Here are some things that will help:

It is the riders responsibility to help the horse and balance their weight in such a way that they are not in the horses way so that it is possible for the horse to canter the proper lead.  It is also the responsibility of the rider to be confident enough that the horse feels it can canter without parting company with the rider.  If these two critical issues are taken care of, we can then move on.

It is important to understand that a horse has right and left leads at the walk and the trot.  Recognizing this is key to proper canter departs and transitions.  When you recognize the proper lead at the walk and the trot, it is simply a matter of adding more energy to  become the canter, much like pouring water out of a bucket.  

While walking to the right of the arena notice the shape of the horses body.  If the shoulders are in and the haunches are out, the horse is counter bent and shaped up for counter canter or left lead while heading to the right.  A wonderful skill to have and something not to be missed, however the bend must change to achieve right lead canter.  Watch again.  Now, help the horse by elevating the inside shoulder and leg yielding to the wall, at the wall do a haunches in.  This will help shape the body and elevate the inside right shoulder in order for the horse to bend around the inside leg.  Be very aware of the bend in the body.  You will not achieve a correct canter depart unless you can get proper haunches in and good lift of the inside shoulder.

Now that you are noticing the proper bend I want you to trot your horse to the right of the arena.  Trot faster than your horse will be able to trot.  Do NOT ask for the canter!  Just trot, fast and long.  Bring the horse right up to the edge of the tetter, where he thinks he is just going to have to canter because he can't possibly trot any faster!  Notice the BEND!  If the bend is proper for the right lead, allow the horse to melt into the canter.  Don't force, just trot faster than the horse can trot.  If the bend is NOT proper for the right lead, slow the trot, correct the bend, go back to the walk if necessary and correct the bend here, then notice the bend and help your horse, trot faster than your horse can trot until he melts into the proper lead.

All of this requires that you know what your horses feet are doing at the walk and trot.  Very little of the school should be done at the canter anyway!  Most lateral and collected work should be done at the walk and trot until you have established complete unity of movement between horse and rider.  It is fun to kick up dust, and it is fun to go fast, however never sacrifice quality for speed no matter how fun.  

Make sure the rider can count cadence.  That is, have them tell you when each foot is leaving the ground.  Have them call it out as they are passing you.  You can only influence the direction of the foot when it is airborne, so it is critical to know where the foot is.  If the horse's weight is on the right front, it is impossible to lead with that leg!  You have to be aware of the driving and leading leg to know when it is even possible for a horse to take the right or left lead.  

When I am riding with Buck, Ray or Ricky that is something we do in every ride...count cadence.  It may be like having to eat your veggies, but it is necessary for good horsemanship!  

Great Question!   If I have used terms or concepts that you are not familiar with, please let me know and I will clarify.  Let me know how things are going!

Smiles!  Denise