Hi CRK training. I have watched 100's of you tube videos on training and horsemanship and I just want to say that they way you explain things and teach on your videos makes things so much easier to understand. You have a really great way of explaining things! I am returning to riding after a 30 year break (I started off trail riding my new horse for a year before i began lessons) but am only just learning to canter properly now. Your explanations are fantastic. and I love that you give all the reasons why the aids are what they are. Thank you!!
I agree. I like the way she gives the mare time to grasp the concept before advancing to the concept in motion. The lady has a good understanding of horse psychology.
Thanks for the advice. You are the first I have seen to explain WHY we use the cues we use. Now that I understand I think I will have great success. It is difficult to make the cue effect without knowing what it is supposed to be communicating to our horse. I know how to get her hips over o I can use the cue effectively if I know that is my purpose. Will try it this afternoon. Can't wait!
So I practiced it and it worked about 25% of the time, which is a 25% improvement, LOL. She gave a tiny buck to show her displeasure at taking the lead, but I kept her going on the lead for a lap around the ring then clicked and rewarded since that positive reinforcement works well with her in all her training. I feel confident that with continual practice she will grow more comfortable with it and that percentage will continue to increase towards 100. Thanks again for the great video!
Thank you! This was so clear and concise. I'm currently working with a 4 years old who has trouble with her right lead. Back to basics we go! thanks!!!!!
Thank you... this explanation is a great help. It's something I'm having an issue with at the moment.. so will start working from the ground. Very well explained!! xx
The part where you talk about how the horse can be better on one side and not be able to pick up a lead on the other because it’s not their better side makes so much sense.
Lots of trot work, lots of haunches in, more lateral work, getting the horse stronger behind so they can lift up into the canter and off the fore. Lots of hill work helps with this, even walking up hills will strengthen the hind end. This all will help a horse that has difficulty picking up the correct leads or favoring one lead over the other. The excercises in this video are very good!! But if horse has weaknesses on one side, such as a weak stifle or hock issues, back issues etc. Barring any physical impairments the horse will need to gain strength and evenly distributed strength on both sides. The hill work and trot work will help.
Great explanation of why we use certain cues and how it communicates to the horse. My horse has trouble with his right canter lead and now I have the tools to try to train him properly, thanks!
Horse asymetry and massage of the stiff side can sometimes find its cause in stiffness of the diagonally opposite limb. Check for contracted muscle groups throughout the body; horse and human alike!😊
My mare has the same problem with her right lead. She's only now strong enough to pick it up, but it's anything but pretty!!! I'm going to check out your channel and hopefully find more great videos that will help!
Great job of explaining.Can't wait to try that technique on my horse. He has the same issue in picking up the left lead. He is a pretty green Friesian gelding and is starting to come along with regular riding. We are currently working on getting a better walk and trot.
Callie, Thanks so much for the much needed advice about correct leads. What would be helpful to me would be more repetitions of the canter sequence, perhaps 5 or6 times, and show he connection between the swinging of her haunches and the lead itself. I'm kind of new at this so pardon my needing more attention to the canter itself. Also can you show the movement In both leads? thanks so much
I have been working with a 7 year old pony mare for a year. She is part of a PATH program and has been trained under saddle as well as to pull a cart. I cannot get her to take her right lead. When I first started to work with her she was uncomfortable cantering with a rider on both leads. I now have her cantering nicely to the left and she seems comfortable and very collected. When I try to get her to canter to the right she throws her head up, goes into a fast trot, and eventually goes off on the wrong lead. She picks her right lead up on the lunge line so we have lunged her with a rider on her. At first she would pick up the right lead although the canter was not balanced. She now will not use the right lead on the lunge line with a rider if she canters at all. I have worked on bending and counter bending and she does them both well. She also knows to mover her hind quarters to the inside when pressure is applied with the outside leg. We try to get her to go off on the canter in a corner but she often prefers to run into the wall rather than continue on. I am working with a young lady who has trained many horses and she is also baffled as to what to do next. We have had her checked by a chiropractor but she seems to be ok that way. If you have any ideas for me I would be appreciative.
Great video and you explained everything very well, but my horse has a lot of trouble with his right lead as well. I used to have to go around the whole arena two times just to pick up the right lead and now I can get it on the first try but it is very uncomfortable for him and it is very obvious that he is forcing it and he breaks out of it very easy and I don't know how to make it comfortable for him. My left lead is what I like to call perfect so I try and copy that, but for the right lead.
I literally have the exact same problem with my horse, but with the left lead and like no joke he never ever picks up the left lead and I saw in the video it looked like she didn't really have problem that time picking up the lead so I'm definitely going to try those but anymore tips you have would be helpful.
I use a different cue for the canter. I tip my horses nose toward the right and kiss. It's the only way he knows how to pick it up, and I've been trying to get him on the right lead for a while and still can't get it
My horse has the exact same problem and it looks like i have to go back to basics with him since i dont think he understands what the leg back means either. My question is any tips on teaching moving haunches over from both the ground and saddle? My horse doesnt really separate his haunches from the rest of him when moving (meaning he steps forward when stepping over no matter how still i try to keep his front end). Also any tips on teaching turns on the forehand as well as the haunches?
Hi! I have a horse who I've been working with for about 2 months. He's bad on his left lead and will sometimes pick it up and other times he wont. I've began round penning him whenever we canter and he seems to pick it up a lot better in the round pen than in the arena. However, I have my first show with him in a little over a week and I'm worried about the consistency he has with his lead. Is there anything else I should try?
my mare has been having trouble picking up her right lead for about 2 months or more now. she picks up the left without a problem. she will pick up the right lead on the longe line not a problem. either she wont pick it up at all or she will pick it up for 2 strides and do a lead change. shes never had any feet problems. never been lame. idk what else to try. any advice would be great:) (im on my dads youtube account lol)
My horse has an issue with cross cantering and then breaking out of the canter. She did a while back for a long time, we then learned she had injured herself so we had to do rehabilitation, after I finally got her back and started cantering her again after like 5 months she was fine, the a few weeks later of other people riding her and she’s cross cantering sooo much. Could she be in pain or does she need to just get stronger?
I really liked your video, so I tried all these things with my horse. I still can't get him to pick up the right lead. I have tried everything from circling to driving him into the fence. He has been checked by the vet, and came up clean. I don't think he has picked up the right lead for 2 years. Do you have any advice?
How is his balance? Can he do a haunches in at the walk and at the trot? Does he lean and rush when you ask for the right lead? Also, make sure that you aren't accidentally leaning in when you ask for the canter. Really focus on having control of your horse's body so you feel like you could wrap him around your inside leg, keeping the inside shoulder lifted while asking the outside hind leg to step under his body for the canter. Gretel (the horse in this video) is around 15 and she didn't pick up her right lead (at least with any consistency) until 2 years ago, so there is hope!
CRKtraining Yes, I have tried all of that, and he still consistently picks up the left lead. I will defiantly take extra caution that I'm not leaning forward when I ask him to take the right lead. I have noticed that he rushes when I ask him for the canter though.
Madelyne K. The rushing is probably where he is losing his balance and form to pick up the right lead. I would practice lots of transitions and really try to keep him on his hind end as you ask for the canter.
My mare has had the hardest time as well. It's taken months of trot and lunging to build her strength and balance. I also had to get my saddle adjusted. Since I did that, she's all of a sudden picking up the correct right lead! It's not pretty and on the forehand, but at least it's correct now! Just a thought that maybe you need your saddle checked?
Hi CRK training.
I have watched 100's of you tube videos on training and horsemanship and I just want to say that they way you explain things and teach on your videos makes things so much easier to understand. You have a really great way of explaining things!
I am returning to riding after a 30 year break (I started off trail riding my new horse for a year before i began lessons) but am only just learning to canter properly now. Your explanations are fantastic. and I love that you give all the reasons why the aids are what they are. Thank you!!
I agree. I like the way she gives the mare time to grasp the concept before advancing to the concept in motion. The lady has a good understanding of horse psychology.
Thanks for the advice. You are the first I have seen to explain WHY we use the cues we use. Now that I understand I think I will have great success. It is difficult to make the cue effect without knowing what it is supposed to be communicating to our horse. I know how to get her hips over o I can use the cue effectively if I know that is my purpose. Will try it this afternoon. Can't wait!
So I practiced it and it worked about 25% of the time, which is a 25% improvement, LOL. She gave a tiny buck to show her displeasure at taking the lead, but I kept her going on the lead for a lap around the ring then clicked and rewarded since that positive reinforcement works well with her in all her training. I feel confident that with continual practice she will grow more comfortable with it and that percentage will continue to increase towards 100. Thanks again for the great video!
I love that you are so kind to the horses. It really comes through on your videos. Great video!
Thank you! This was so clear and concise. I'm currently working with a 4 years old who has trouble with her right lead. Back to basics we go! thanks!!!!!
Thank you so much! Explained so easily, it's just down to the basics, but I always over complicate things!
This was very helpful, it really breaks things down to get to actions that I can use right away to help my horse - thank you!
Clear steps to achievable goal. Well done. Lovely x
Thank you... this explanation is a great help. It's something I'm having an issue with at the moment.. so will start working from the ground. Very well explained!! xx
The part where you talk about how the horse can be better on one side and not be able to pick up a lead on the other because it’s not their better side makes so much sense.
Lots of trot work, lots of haunches in, more lateral work, getting the horse stronger behind so they can lift up into the canter and off the fore. Lots of hill work helps with this, even walking up hills will strengthen the hind end. This all will help a horse that has difficulty picking up the correct leads or favoring one lead over the other. The excercises in this video are very good!! But if horse has weaknesses on one side, such as a weak stifle or hock issues, back issues etc. Barring any physical impairments the horse will need to gain strength and evenly distributed strength on both sides. The hill work and trot work will help.
Wonderfull video!!
You are so gentle
Wish i could have lessones with you
Great explanation of why we use certain cues and how it communicates to the horse. My horse has trouble with his right canter lead and now I have the tools to try to train him properly, thanks!
Horse asymetry and massage of the stiff side can sometimes find its cause in stiffness of the diagonally opposite limb.
Check for contracted muscle groups throughout the body; horse and human alike!😊
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I'm riding a horse like this for shows and I find it a little hard to get her on the right lead. This video helped me a lot.
Thank you my thoroughbred has suddenly forgotten this lead as of late so these aids helped him remember again
very easy to understand your training methods.... Very very helpful!!!!
My mare has the same problem with her right lead. She's only now strong enough to pick it up, but it's anything but pretty!!! I'm going to check out your channel and hopefully find more great videos that will help!
Great video! You've helped me so much with my 4-year-old OTTB.
Great job of explaining.Can't wait to try that technique on my horse. He has the same issue in picking up the left lead. He is a pretty green Friesian gelding and is starting to come along with regular riding. We are currently working on getting a better walk and trot.
my ottb Bones Baxter has never cantered since he's been off the track..this may be helpful for the future. thank you!
Callie, Thanks so much for the much needed advice about correct leads. What would be helpful to me would be more repetitions of the canter sequence, perhaps 5 or6 times, and show he connection between the swinging of her haunches and the lead itself. I'm kind of new at this so pardon my needing more attention to the canter itself. Also can you show the movement In both leads? thanks so much
I have been working with a 7 year old pony mare for a year. She is part of a PATH program and has been trained under saddle as well as to pull a cart. I cannot get her to take her right lead. When I first started to work with her she was uncomfortable cantering with a rider on both leads. I now have her cantering nicely to the left and she seems comfortable and very collected. When I try to get her to canter to the right she throws her head up, goes into a fast trot, and eventually goes off on the wrong lead. She picks her right lead up on the lunge line so we have lunged her with a rider on her. At first she would pick up the right lead although the canter was not balanced. She now will not use the right lead on the lunge line with a rider if she canters at all. I have worked on bending and counter bending and she does them both well. She also knows to mover her hind quarters to the inside when pressure is applied with the outside leg. We try to get her to go off on the canter in a corner but she often prefers to run into the wall rather than continue on. I am working with a young lady who has trained many horses and she is also baffled as to what to do next. We have had her checked by a chiropractor but she seems to be ok that way. If you have any ideas for me I would be appreciative.
Great video Callie!
That was so helpful; exactly what I needed. Thank you!
What are exercises to help strengthen the weaker, “right handed”, side of the horse?
Great video and you explained everything very well, but my horse has a lot of trouble with his right lead as well. I used to have to go around the whole arena two times just to pick up the right lead and now I can get it on the first try but it is very uncomfortable for him and it is very obvious that he is forcing it and he breaks out of it very easy and I don't know how to make it comfortable for him. My left lead is what I like to call perfect so I try and copy that, but for the right lead.
Bailey consult your vet or trainer
I found this video very helpful but would you be able to explain how to pick up a counter canter?
I literally have the exact same problem with my horse, but with the left lead and like no joke he never ever picks up the left lead and I saw in the video it looked like she didn't really have problem that time picking up the lead so I'm definitely going to try those but anymore tips you have would be helpful.
Do you have a video on starting a horse with lead changes
**loudly coughs at my horse**
I use a different cue for the canter. I tip my horses nose toward the right and kiss. It's the only way he knows how to pick it up, and I've been trying to get him on the right lead for a while and still can't get it
My horse has the exact same problem and it looks like i have to go back to basics with him since i dont think he understands what the leg back means either. My question is any tips on teaching moving haunches over from both the ground and saddle? My horse doesnt really separate his haunches from the rest of him when moving (meaning he steps forward when stepping over no matter how still i try to keep his front end). Also any tips on teaching turns on the forehand as well as the haunches?
Yes Thank You. I ride a horse and he doesn't pick up his right lead very well.
Paige Kennelly me too and i will try this method, did you do?
Hi! I have a horse who I've been working with for about 2 months. He's bad on his left lead and will sometimes pick it up and other times he wont. I've began round penning him whenever we canter and he seems to pick it up a lot better in the round pen than in the arena. However, I have my first show with him in a little over a week and I'm worried about the consistency he has with his lead. Is there anything else I should try?
my mare has been having trouble picking up her right lead for about 2 months or more now. she picks up the left without a problem. she will pick up the right lead on the longe line not a problem. either she wont pick it up at all or she will pick it up for 2 strides and do a lead change. shes never had any feet problems. never been lame. idk what else to try. any advice would be great:) (im on my dads youtube account lol)
My horse has an issue with cross cantering and then breaking out of the canter. She did a while back for a long time, we then learned she had injured herself so we had to do rehabilitation, after I finally got her back and started cantering her again after like 5 months she was fine, the a few weeks later of other people riding her and she’s cross cantering sooo much. Could she be in pain or does she need to just get stronger?
i have a horse that cross fires in her rear end only
I really liked your video, so I tried all these things with my horse. I still can't get him to pick up the right lead. I have tried everything from circling to driving him into the fence. He has been checked by the vet, and came up clean. I don't think he has picked up the right lead for 2 years. Do you have any advice?
How is his balance? Can he do a haunches in at the walk and at the trot? Does he lean and rush when you ask for the right lead? Also, make sure that you aren't accidentally leaning in when you ask for the canter. Really focus on having control of your horse's body so you feel like you could wrap him around your inside leg, keeping the inside shoulder lifted while asking the outside hind leg to step under his body for the canter. Gretel (the horse in this video) is around 15 and she didn't pick up her right lead (at least with any consistency) until 2 years ago, so there is hope!
CRKtraining Yes, I have tried all of that, and he still consistently picks up the left lead. I will defiantly take extra caution that I'm not leaning forward when I ask him to take the right lead. I have noticed that he rushes when I ask him for the canter though.
Madelyne K. The rushing is probably where he is losing his balance and form to pick up the right lead. I would practice lots of transitions and really try to keep him on his hind end as you ask for the canter.
My mare has had the hardest time as well. It's taken months of trot and lunging to build her strength and balance. I also had to get my saddle adjusted. Since I did that, she's all of a sudden picking up the correct right lead! It's not pretty and on the forehand, but at least it's correct now! Just a thought that maybe you need your saddle checked?
Your supposed to hold your horse so he doesn't run away