Need some help picking up her lead.?

Question

My horse is a Thoroughbred, so of course she's very fast. But, on picking up her left lead is really hard for her and she gets nervous about it and rushes into the canter and goes around like a freak train.

I'm a really patient rider and I just bought her so I haven't worked with her a whole lot and I don't want to stress her out too bad when I ride her, so are there any suggestions where I can get her to pick up the canter from a relaxed trot andd on the right lead? Or even the wrong lead, I just want it to be relaxed.

I've tried circling her at a sitting trot before I pick up the canter, but when I ask, even just gently touching her with my leg she gets really anxious about it. This is also her racing direction, so I'm sure it has something to do with that. But, I'd like a few more opinions on what I should do to help her relax. This is also going to help me on a jump course.

Also - any suggestions on how to start getting her to canter from a walk eventually or learn how to do a flying change?

Answer 1

I would work on getting your basic transitions down before you worry about lead changes and jumping courses.  

As for getting her to pick up the left lead, I would try asking with outside leg and outside rein.  It sounds odd, but that is what an OTTB is used to.    

Answer 2

Go back to a confined area and work on your leg aids.  Remember, when you are working on leg aids, keep your horse straight, and just concentrate on moving his hind end over, each way, whenever you want it.  Believe it or not, the easiest way to teach your horse a collected canter, in the correct lead is from a dead, stand still.  Once you have taught your horse how to quietly accept and react to your leg aids, do the LEFT lead first.  why?  because he is already used to his left lead, is more comfortable with it...by doing this, you are only getting him to associate picking up from a halt and laying down in a the canter in the correct lead.  Do it relaxed and it will remain relaxed. Now, work on the other side.  Once you get him fairly dependable on both sides, start working him more on the right lead, so that is evens up his right brain...so that he is equal on right and left.  When I say pick him up and lay in down in the correct lead, I mean, at a halt, collect him with your reins so that he doesn't take another step, push your right leg into his hind end and move his hind end over to the left...timing is crucial...at that point, pick up your reins and ask for the canter, still holding your right leg into him...once you get that established, like I said, work on the other side.  If you need further clarification, you may email me.

Answer 3

As an off track race horse, she needs to be handled with care to retrain her and develop her flexibility and suppleness, while getting her mind past her racing days.

She should be taken back to basics, and dressage training is best for these horses.  A good basic dressage training tape would help you with her.  One that teaches flexion and bending exercises, impulsion and collection, and lateral work like leg yields.  She isn't conditioned mentally or physically to be working at a canter yet.  The time you spend helping her redevelop will be well spent, and can make all of the difference.  I've seen too many of these horses fall apart because they were rushed into training for jumping competitions with no regard for their history.  A bit of dressage basics will slow her down, get her collected, and prepare her for cantering on both leads in a controlled, balanced and correct way.

Answer 4

what i have found to work is to turn their nose to the outside (rail) and give them the que with your outside leg to canter. that fixed most of our horses lead issues. also, horses are like humans they favor a side. like we are left or right handed.   not all horses are capable of doing flying lead changes. i would take it one thing at a time. if she is in good shape she shouldnt have any problems going into a canter from a walk. make sure she is working well and listening, some horses take a longer warm up before they are really ready to learn something new.

Answer 5

The main thing is that you need to be relaxed as well.  Try talking to her as you cue her.  If you have a good relationship, it will soothe her.  Good luck!

Answer 6

well i don't usually ride TBs but you can just try half halting her before you canter. try and stay calm if you get excited she gets excited if you get nervous she will get nervous, its this weird thing but horses can sense ur feelings! so just stay calm and collected sorry I'm not much help but i don't ride TBs much.

hope that helps  :-)

Answer 7

Will she do it on a lunge?  If not start there.  If so, check your position and aids, they could be the problem.  If you find they are work on correcting them, but try asking in a two point position for now.

Ask her to canter.  If she picks up the correct lead let her go a stride or two and then slow her down into a walk for a reward.  If not, get her back into a trot and ask again.  Repeat until she picks up the correct one.

Answer 8

My OTTB had the same problem, but on the right rein :)

My instructor had me do this-

Trot in a 20 metre circle on the rein you are having problems with.  Start to decrease the size of the circle (but not so small that your mare starts to stumble, lose impulsion etc).  Then, put your inside leg on, niggle with the outside rein and ask her to leg yield back out to a 20m circle again.  Do this a couple of times so she loosens up, then ask for a canter on that leg.  

My boy used to get antsy whenever I'd ask for canter too, he bucked a couple of times and I came off, that could have been any number of things but you have noticed anxiousness so I'd suggest getting her saddle and back checked (that was my boys problem- weak back from racing).

In regards to flying changes- most OTTBs are experts at this already!  My horse will randomly throw in flying changes in the jumping arena, however I'm sure when it comes to teaching him to do them on command it'll be a different story!  

Way I've been taught (on a schooled horse) is-

Canter down long side of arena, then short side, change rein after short side across diagonal.  Come to a trot at X, pick up canter before you hit the other side, go around and again- long side, short side, change diagonal, trot at X, canter before end.  Eventually shorten your trot distances to set her up, and after a while it's a matter of changing your seat and leg position- takes ages though!  Good luck with her!