Cantering on a horse can be messy. From the first few steps to the first lead changes, the quality of the canter matters for both safety and progress. I've written down a few important pieces to your success as you grow in your leadership and relationship with your horse.

1. Stop prioritizing the canter over balance.

A mistake many novice trainers make once they access the canter is attempting to HOLD the canter.

It's messy. It causes brace and resentment. It's like being told to run fast before you're warmed up.

Instead, triple down on transitions. The more you do, the better your canter will become.

When the horse wants to break gait, that's a good thing. It's another transition opportunity that promotes better balance. Furthermore, forcing a horse to keep going when they are hunting for balance is detrimental to both the psyche and the physiology. It can even ruin the relationship.

2. Practice lane changes while walking and trotting. Then one day, while cantering.

Ironically, it's your ability to change lanes that helps keep you straight. And straightness is a big key to balance.

Imagine jogging down your favorite path with people jogging toward you in their own lanes. What if you suddenly changed lanes?

You would CRASH!

Often, when people ask for speed changes, they throw out straightness, allowing the horse to drop a shoulder or change lanes and therefore lose balance.

Because there is no oncoming traffic, it's hard for people to notice when this happens during the transition into the canter.

Great riders notice.

They practice lane changes to improve their communication and their horse's ability to stay straight down the path.

3. Practice speed control early and often.

Not canter control. Speed control.

This tests the horse's ability to listen when things ramp up. Simply speeding and slowing the walk is a wonderful exercise. Same with trotting.

Imagine getting a text message on your phone while you're walking in a park. Most of us would read it easily and keep walking.

Now imagine jogging. Most joggers would stop or walk to read the message.

Now imagine sprinting.

It would be much more difficult to read the message.

Now imagine your horse trying to hear your messages at speed.

Great trainers practice speeding up and slowing down often, not just for balance, but also to help clarify communication. Otherwise, information gets pretty fuzzy.

There are many keys to success. For today, remember... prioritize balance, straightness, and speed control. Consider practicing those things in lower gaits like trotting and walking.

Here's to a great canter. 🍻​Don