FLATWORK FEBRUARY #18: LEG YIELD TO CANTER

Trot down the three-quarter line and use your inside leg on the girth to push your horse towards the track, while using your outside leg behind the girth to control the angle of his quarters.

Ask for a little flexion to the inside, you should just see the edge of your horse’s eye and nostril, but support him with the outside rein to stop him falling out through his shoulder.

When you reach the track, ride an upwards transition into canter.

This exercise is a great way to improve your canter transitions and ensure your horse strikes off with the correct lead. It also shakes up the canter transition a little, as it involves asking on a straight line rather than through a corner or on a circle. This tends to help horses be a little more alert to the aids and respond more rapidly.

Make sure to practise the exercise equally on both reins and don’t be surprised if your horse finds one rein a little more difficult than another. Most horses have a stronger side and a weaker side, but over time you should see improvements.