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How many of you2007-11-24 21:15:46

how many of y'all when you ask your horse to canter get results from the walk.do most of your horses take two or three trotting steps first then pick up the right lead?

Answers:

Most horses will pick up a canter, lope, or gallop from a walk depending on the lead they are in and where you are asking them to move.You should maintain equal pressure applied through legs and seat. If you riding with 75% seat and legs, then your horse will always automatically pick up any gate that you ask for from a walk. Its all in how you cue.

I barrel race, and our horses have to take off in the correct lead from a walk when starting, or from a lead change when moving off a barrel into a sprint.

This is done by allowing the horse to understand differences in pressure. If you keep your hands away from your horses mouth, he will learn to respond to cues from your legs seat and weight. Make sure you have a good hold on your horse, but that you are not applying direct rein pressure. When you ask for a canter from a walk, shift your body slightly forward, apply even leg pressure (using care not to jab your heels into his sides), and very slighty bring your hands further up his neck. Try doing this with one hand so that your horse can really respond to leg and seat pressure.

Depending on which direction you are going, your horse may automatically pick up the correct lead if he does flying changes, just make sure to keep your body slightly forward when asking him to make the transition. If he does only regular lead changes, then slow him down, set him up for that lead and ask him to move forward at a canter using leg and seat pressure with focus on where your weight is. Keep him traveling in the direction of the lead you wish to pick up. He should respond to the forward momentum in your body if he is sensitive to cues and commands and in tune to you.