Ken McNabb: A Lesson on Leads (featuring DeeDee) | How to Get My Horse to Lope on Correct Lead

MECHANICS of the Canter
If you want to master lead departures or lead changes, or simply be able to recognize which lead you are on, you must first understand the mechanics of what's going on in your horse's body. The horse's inside hip is to the inside of the shoulder on a given lead. That back inside leg must be able to clear the inside front leg. In order for this to happen, the horse's ribcage must get out of the way (pushed over toward the outside).
Why does this matter? If you want your horse to take a particular lead, you must help him out by moving his ribcage out of the way, and encouraging his hip to the inside of your circle. This sets him up for success.
Steps to a Correct LEAD DEPARTURE
1. Walk forward, using your inside leg in position 2 to bend your horse's ribcage, remembering to also soften his nose to the inside.
2. Take that inside leg off, and place your outside leg in position 3 to encourage those hips to come in to inside.
3. Up your energy, and ask for a lope using your seat and both legs.
Departing from a STANDSTILL
To help teach your horse to depart from a standstill, use the same principles as above, but side pass away from the center of your circle and lope from there.
FEELING a Lead
Because your horse is canted to one side in a lead, your body will be canted as well. In a canter on the right lead, you should feel that your right hip is further forward than your left, and your right toe is up by the shoulder while your left toe is back by the front cinch.
BODY POSITIONING in the Canter
Relax.
Ride with your eyes and look where you are going.
Use your seat to control the momentum.
Lead with your pelvis rather than your shoulders.
PASSION
It is easy to get discouraged when working on some of the more advanced maneuvers like lead departures and changes. In order to not let discouragement get the best of us, we need to have a passion for what we are doing. Passion is intense, compelling emotion or commitment. We keep our passion for horsemanship alive by remembering why we fell in love with horses in the first place. We embrace the good, and acknowledge when we (or our horses) are simply having a bad day or a bad moment.
I sure love the times when I am able to work with my favorite person. I hope this lesson with DeeDee was both fun and informative for you. Until next time, may God bless the trails you ride!
- Ken
*NOTE: This video was filmed a few years back and our office staff has since changed. DeeDee has moved into happily homeschooling the boys full time and helping me ride and run the ranch. Please feel free to contact [e-mail] or 307-645-3149 to reach our office staff.*

[@lpfrank]

BriLLiANT! 👏I loved the authenticity of this video, and thoroughly enjoyed the passion behind the teaching and learning. Thanks Ken and Deedee! 🙏💛🐎

[@rodunsworth2060]

Thank you I really needed that. I feel like your wife when it comes to this.

[@TheMelaniebarber1]

This video is awesome. Made me laugh and learn a TON! There is so much going on to teaching a horse and riding the correct way. It is so amazing how smart these horses are and how they learn if we teach them the right way. I am tryin got learn and teach my horse these techniques. Thank you for your clear teaching. I learn so much when you are teaching Trent and Dee Dee on the horses. I love the questions Dee Dee and Trent ask. They are my same questions. It helps my learning so much. It's not easy to lope for that long. I also really respect the love for God and the teachings. Good job you guys!

[@soneykoch]

I loved this video so much!! I laughed so hard and I realized HOW MUCH I miss riding lessons. You are the kind of coach I'm used too. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and thank you for including God. Nothing is possible without Him.

[@andywoommavovah7229]

At 10:58 in the video you referenced “sit deep” and push with your legs. After being away from the saddle for about 40 yrs I just got back into lessons. My trainer keeps telling me to “sit and push” when at the lope but has been hard for me to understand. This demonstration really helps with that and to build my confidence to support my new found passion!

[@Georgie1660]

Dee Dee, you make me smile. You two are such a sweet couple! When a couple is Christ centered, you see Him in the couple.♥️ Blessings❣️

[@lynettesledge2232]

I need a Ken McNabb clinic!

[@dianameigs8015]

DeeDee thank you so much for doing this video with Ken! I do the exact things you did from facial expressions to leaning with my shoulder(s) out to the lead I want my horse to take! I always lean forward and not centered and back in the saddle. This was the best video to learn how to get the ribs out of the way from the hind quarters to get that lead. I never really knew what my legs needed to do to que my horse to get the correct lead. Now to put it into practice!

[@huubboschker2956]

Ik ben overtuigd dat je les erg goed is,omdat mijn vrouw het goed kan begrijpen wat in de galop nodig is . zij kijkt dit filmpje erg vaak! Bedankt Jullie twee

[@alicedavis6905]

Your wife is a beautiful rider. Learning so much from this video. Thank you

[@shannonsccott3465]

Love it! Sooo many riders including me are just like your wife!

[@becomingcowboy4373]

Next video: DeeDee teaches Ken to bake an apple pie 🍎🥧

[@bobbysebastian4115]

Thanks Dee Dee for being a good sport. Proverbs 31:10-11 says "Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain."

[@thebudgetingcowgirl4113]

This has been my favorite episode so far

[@jennymeadows3670]

This is the best video I’ve ever seen! I could relate to her confusion and thought process. It was also very helpful to see her asking questions and explaining what she was having a hard time with. So many of these training videos the student or rider never asks questions for verification etc. This was extremely helpful. I would love to see more videos like this.

[@marlenerini3669]

Super clear and helpful. Nothing helps me to learn like seeing corrections. Love the love!

[@COMB0RICO]

Nice episode. I felt convicted when he said we should vote. I sense some pastor power goin on. Thanks from Brownwood, TX.

[@harpersperformancehorses3143]

Outstanding

[@carolynstewart8465]

Great boots!

[@gracechristianschoolcypres3189]

Great video

[@karsonjanssen6131]

Thank you

[@michaelschulze6545]

A real horseman!

[@kathywarwick5603]

As an old dressage rider this is launches in with weight on inside set bone. Outside leg holder the haunches

[@meretefrandsen9340]

Nice 👍

[@madeleindevilliers2530]

Thanks

[@erichermann7553]

Your student is not bad at all no reins in her hand and stop the horse and she’s not bouncing in the saddle like many people do and u r the best trainer / teacher on you Tube the horse she’s riding how much$ would it cost me to buy it general idea please thank u

[@rjrice4940]

Ken, In a recent ranch class, they had us side pass to left over a pole then lope off on Right. What is a good technique to get a younger horse to switch from thinking Left, to thinking right? Even though all the right cues are given? He did well at home, but missed the lead in the class. My sister and I love and appreciate your training tips.

[@kevinmalloy2180]

Maybe one time the instructor should get on his horse and show how it’s done correctly so we can see and compare. The very game student was trying hard but often (understandably) getting it wrong…