Ask Clinton: Lead Logic

Q: How do you feel which lead your horse is on while under saddle? Watching you in person and on video, I am amazed at how you can feel which lead your horse is on in front or behind. Any clues will help! – Becky C.

A: Determining which lead your horse is on takes experience to feel. The more you canter the more familiar you’ll become with the horse’s motion and be able to tell which lead he is on. When a horse canters, he’s either on the right lead or the left lead. If he’s on the left lead, his right hind leg will hit the ground first pushing his body forward, followed by the diagonal pair of his left hind leg and right front, and then finally his left front. If he’s on the right lead, his left hind leg will hit the ground first, followed by the diagonal pair of his right hind and left front, and then his right front.

When you’re new to riding, it can sometimes be difficult to tell which lead your horse is on, especially if he has a tendency to crossfire. When a horse crossfires, he’ll pick up the correct lead in front, but be on the wrong lead behind. To help yourself get familiar with what each lead feels like, have a friend watch you ride and point out which lead the horse is on. Then you can concentrate on feeling the horse’s movement. With experience, you’ll be able to immediately feel which lead your horse is on.