When do you ask for the Canter?!

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Are you clear on when to ask for the canter???

The canter transition is something that MANY horses and riders struggle with! A lot has to happen for the horse to coordinate all 4 legs to go from a 2 beat trot into a 3 beat canter. It is extremely important that you ask for the canter at the right moment so that the horse CAN actually pick up the canter!!!


You must ask for the canter when the outside hind leg is on the ground. The ONLY way that the horse can go from the trot to canter is by pushing off of the outside hind leg and lifting up through their withers and shoulders into the canter.

The best way to get the correct timing for the canter transition is to count to yourself and get in time with the inside front leg. In the trot the inside front and the outside hind leg land at the same time. Since you can actually see the inside shoulder go down it is easiest to get in time with the inside front and this will be the same timing as the outside hind.

If your horse rushes off at the trot or just their head up it could be that you are asking at the wrong moment.

The universal aid for the canter is inside leg at the girth and outside leg behind the girth and weight a little more over the inside seat bone.


Everyone’s aid is a little different and every horse requires a little different set up for the canter. Some horses need more inside leg for the canter transitions and some do the canter transition more from the outside leg. Some horses need you to really set them up for the transition by moving them off the inside leg and into the outside rein. And many horses require a slightly different set up and aid for the left versus the right lead canter!!

This is complicated I know!!

Don’t over think the canter aid. It really is a feel thing and it should get to the point that you are able to feel the right timing for the moment to ask for the canter!
Happy Riding!
Amelia