Question: How do I tell if my horse is on the correct lead? I’m not a “new” rider, but I’ve mostly trail ridden and never really had to learn how to tell what lead my horse was on. Now I’m thinking about showing in some local (county shows) and need some help (preferably without hiring a trainer) figuring out which lead my horse is on. I mostly ride Western, and will probably just do some novice classes.

Answer: The canter (also called the lope in western riding) is a three beat gait with a rocking horse motion. The horse brings one foreleg forward and places that hoof on the ground, followed by the opposite foreleg and diagonal hindleg, and lastly the remaining hindleg. The horse leads with one foreleg, meaning that the first foreleg brought forward is the leading leg. The correct lead is when the horse leads with the foreleg closest to the inside of the arena (or circle if you are riding in a circle). The horse nods his head slightly in time to the canter, so you should allow some flexibility in your elbows so that your hands can move back and forth just slightly (as you practice, you will learn how to make this nearly indiscernible to observers). It is easier for a horse to balance when on the correct lead when riding in circles, and many horses will take the correct lead when riding in a straight line. I always suggest that my students try and feel the movement of the horses legs and listen for the hoofbeats as they canter. This requires concentration, and sometimes to start, the aid of another individual (in my example, me - the instructor) to state which lead the horse is on. Remember, the first foreleg thrown forward is the leading leg. You can usually tell this on your own, especially if you keep in mind that the second beat with be a hind hoof and a front hoof hitting the ground at the same time. Another method is to use a mirror, a digital camera with video capabilities or a video camera to observe yourself as you ride. I’ve used a cheap long dressing mirror placed sideways on two chairs outside the riding arena before to help students observe their horse’s leg movements in an outdoor ring. Video of yourself is also astoundingly useful. While riding, it is sometimes difficult to tell if your legs, hands, shoulders, etc. are in the correct position. Just make sure the horse can’t access the equipment and that you acclimatize your horse to their presence if he shies at new things. Horses that have never been worked in front of mirrors sometimes shy the first time they are ridden by one. Good luck!