How to Pick Up the Correct Canter Lead

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Check out my Free Canter mini-course: amelianewcombdressage.com/canter-with-confidence-o/

[@danw6014]

You said the key words. Get the horse ready. I use an exercise that I learned at a clinic where we trotted a half circle away from the rail, leg yield back to the rail and then ask for the canter as you start the circle off the rail. I found it help as I was learning with my horses.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Absolutely! Great riding!

[@phatato]

Your comment regarding the horse also leading on a trot is super helpful! I've been riding for years and nobody has mentioned this to me, but in hindsight it makes total sense, when they are looking in the wrong direction they are on the wrong lead

[@dressagebynicol294]

I so agree. I do love it when Amelia says something that makes total sense but no one has ever said it. I have felt it for years too. 😊 She always has my lightbulbs going on!!!! She makes me a better rider, teacher and trainer.

[@ritchiejonathan1505]

After practicing in the morning this morning and I just realized from my coach that Canter also has lead on the fore legs (I thought only trotting). Thanks Amelia for providing the content. I can learn while not in saddle.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thank you so much! I am doing a free bootcamp and would love to have you join. Here is the link: amelianewcombdressage.com/free-online-riding-bootcamp/?KZbin&Strides+2025

[@ShopGNbasics]

I always have trouble getting my horse to pick up the correct right canter lead! This helps so much thank you!!!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

You are so welcome!

[@joelbailey1595]

Thanks Amelia. Great reminders on the set up for the canter depart.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Glad it was helpful!

[@AimeeandApollo]

Thankyou Amelia! I've got an ottb and we really struggle to pick up right canter so I'm going to guce this a go! 😊

[@rubenjacobo-rubio3702]

AMAZING. This video and your other video on time to ask for the canter by counting when the shoulder moves forward have helped me so much with a heavy and unbalanced horse that could not pick up the right lead. You are in the right place doing the right thing, a pure blessing! Keep up the good work!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thank you for being here! Hope to see you at the webinar this weekend; amelianewcombdressage.com/free-pirouette-webinar/

[@flyingcolorsponies]

Thank you for this! I'm going to try it on my next ride.

[@TheLittleBlue-Bird]

Thank you so much! I pick up a canter great but I am working with lesson horses and I tend to pick up the wrong lead, again, it's me, not the horse, of course. This helped me so much and appretiate the vid. I came back to say that I haven't picked up the wrong one for a while. This really helps!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

That's great well done!

[@diannejohnson1754]

I our barn we are taught to bring the head toward the wall and ask. It does make more sense your way but asking in the turn may be a help. Thanks.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Try it and let me know what you think!

[@erinthompson7850]

I am teaching dressage at a barn where horses have been trained to turn to the wall and swing hips in to canter . It has been very very difficult to teach my students the correct set up for canter when the horse is confused as well as being off balance and disorganized.

[@g-zone-fit]

This is super helpful. I'm going to try this with my new OTTB Appendix. He's 11 and has not been taught correct left lead. Among other things. So I've got my work cut out. ❤

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Glad it was helpful! Let us know how it goes. If you need more help check out this course: amelianewcombdressage.com/canter-with-confidence-o/?Customer+Support&General

[@kiwicountrygirl]

I've been offered an off the track Thoroughbred who was a successful race horse & apparently has a nice slow canter too

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Exciting!

[@rubenjacobo-rubio3702]

I enjoyed this and other of your vids 100%. I find the following concepts very interesting. Placing your weight on the side you want to canter. The second is where the horse travels from right to left on the leg yield and then canters on the right sided lead. Fascinating to me as it differs from how others do it, but i love that there are many ways of doing it. Could you elaborate some more on these points? Many, many thanks!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@debracarter7680]

Great video. I was working on the canter with Jr yesterday and I have video of him kicking out when I was asking for left lead Canter.... What an I suppose to do when he does that, it was just starting this be feeding time, and he got pissed bounced a bit, and he kicked out that left rear leg

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Try working on something else for a bit and then ask again. If you get your transition nicely, be sure to reward him.

[@meganpahl3612]

Amelia! When you transition back to trot, do you release the outside leg after holding that squeeze the whole time? Also, I have a silly question for you. Some horses have two different trots. A normal trot and a very fast walk/trot similar to cart racing. My horse is one of these. Also, How can I determine if she is in the canter versus a slow lope?

[@anniecampbell8554]

As ever, Amelia, this is so relatable. I’m interested to understand why horses bend and look in the opposite direction when the rider asks for canter. I ride a school horse who persists in bending in the opposite direction to our direction of travel but I don’t understand why that happens. She totally resists flexing in the direction we are going. welcome your thoughts oh how to remedy this. PS She is a super horse but this is a part of our communication that I just don’t understand.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

So glad this was helpful and that you enjoyed!

[@dressagebynicol294]

Because the horse is on the forehand and they have the riders counter flex them so they “fall” onto the correct lead. It does serve a purpose but the horse can not lift themselves up into the canter if done this way.

[@astridpeters4074]

Thanks Amelia Helpfull video because I can use your tips. This instructions are welcome for basic riders like me. 👍👋

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Glad it was helpful!

[@meganpahl3612]

also, could you outline by physical steps the rider must perform to correct the wrong lead(ie which leg does what, rein, ect)???

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Check out this resource to help you with all things canter! amelianewcombdressage.com/canter-with-confidence-o/?KZbin&Canter+PDF+2024

[@channingblue5889]

What’s a good trick for putting more weight on your inside seat bone without leaving? I tend to lean really badly so I put more weight on my outside seat bone but I understand that this is incorrect. Horses move away from the weight.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Check out this video for some more help: amelianewcombdressage.com/dressage-training/the-canter-seat-too-loose-too-tight-or-just-right/

[@kellythyben3984]

My horse won’t pick up correct lead when he isn’t paying attention to my aids and gets too forward (he’s an OTTB ).

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Great observation! Riding a pattern like the Snowman will help keep him on your aids. Check out this free PDF for a few patterns to try! amelianewcombdressage.com/lead-gen-patterns-figures-o/