Glancing for leads?

Question

I have ridden for 7 years now, and have weaned myself off of looking down for canter leads (I ride English H/J, by the way). But now I've noticed that every time I pick up the canter, I glance down (not moving my head, just my eyes) to double check if I'm right. I wanted to know if anyone else became "addicted" to glancing and how they overcame it. I know my leads- a quick look and I'm all set, but I don't want to/refuse to look anymore. I want to be able to feel the leads. I just can't seem to do it, especially down the long side (when not in a tight circle). It doesn't help that I have a horse who often doesn't pick up the correct lead, so I have to make sure I correct him quickly.

Any suggestions?

Answer 1

I do that a lot, too. It's very hard once you've done it to stop. If you're practicing, you can always turn your horse in a circle to tell, but in a show, I have no idea what to do. I wish I could've been a better help!

Answer 2

Well, can you feel them? If not, have a friend who can tell leads stand by the arena, and, as you canter, shout out the lead you think you're on with out looking down. Have them tell if you're right or wrong. If you can fell them, have someone ride in front of you, and another person watch you. Look at the person in front of yous helmet, and have the person watching you make sure you don't look down. Eventually it will be second nature! You might also want to learn your leads on a differant horse, one that you can feel them on more easily(and one who always get the correct lead) to make it easier.

Answer 3

The reason you can't feel them is that by looking, you did not develop feel.  The best way to do it is to find a willing helper who knows how to identify leads and keep your eyes forward while he/she calls out right or wrong and you keep going concentrating only on what you feel coming through your pelvis and legs.

Answer 4

Try practicing it?  Go on a long stretch and have someone watch you.  When you start the canter, try to identify what lead you are on without glancing down.  Then they can tell you if you are right or not, and you know without glancing down.  Then you can learn without reinforcing glancing down.  You can do this in a circle as well.

Answer 5

It's probably just a bad habit.  The way I like to help riders be able to feel the leads or break the habit of looking is to set up a small jump smack in the center of the ring.  The jump should be big enough that the horse actually jumps it (rather than just stepping over it) but not intimidating.  Pick up a trot (you can do this at the canter if your horse doesn't jump well from the trot), and jump the fence.  If you have a strong enough trot your horse should land at the canter.  Focus straight ahead, and turn the horse depending on the lead you land on (I hope that makes sense).  Ask a friend or instructor to tell you if you're right or wrong, that way you don't have to look down.  Feeling your leads and diagonals is a really important skill to learn because it teaches you to feel where the horse is under you.  So I'm glad your working on it.