Counter canter?

Question

I have gotten my morgan to canter on the right leads now which has taken me a year but when she is on the center line she will only pick up the left lead which is easier for her. Any suggestions for this also when we are on the rail in our classes they have asked for a counter canter and in our patterns so i was wondering what would be the best way to teach her to counter canter she is a faster learner and cant do circles that much because she also runs barrels but we can do them it just takes us a while to slow down. Ive tried going the right way on the right lead and then swithcing directions but she will switch to the right lead she is now supposed to be on so any help would be great thanks

Answer 1

she probobly switches back the lead to the correct one because of your body position. if you shift your upper weight to the inside and go with the counter lead, she may keep it.

good luck and i hope i was help

Answer 2

Do you know how to train lateral movement?  The best preparation for teaching leads is work like two tracking, shoulder in/out.  If your horse is well trained to yield to leg aids, and can move laterally, either lead may be picked up easily.

Answer 3

You will need to work in circles- easier to get you to do the right body cues.

Make sure that your body is correct when asking her. For me, the outside leg goes back slightly, nose slightly to the inside, and inside seat bone sits heavier.  Once you have definate cues for asking for which lead going the correct way, the counter canter (in a straight away at least) is extremely easy. Just ask with the appropriate cue, and if she knows what you want, she will respond.

    If you feel her start to switch (usually they collect up a bit more or slow down)- keep her going so she cannot. If she does switch, stop her immediately, and start over again. If she does even 4 strides of counter canter, praise her. Make sure you still work on lead changes a bit so she doesn't completely lose that.