What is the correct lead?

[Nerosvh]

Hello
I am so cofused about the correct lead when cantering...
Can somebody explain to me which leg is the correct lead when cantering. Inside leg of outside leg?
And I also want to know how do you tell if you are on a correct lead or not?
I can't tell by the feeling of riding because I am not used to doing yet...

[iloveshearer]

The inside leg should be leading when cantering :) You can either look down quickly or ask someone to tell you until you can feel it. Some people would tell you not to lean over to look but if you just glance down slightly then it shouldn't affect your balance or anything too badly!

[cazzarotti]

Yes, you can feel whether you're on the correct (or wrong) lead. If you're on the correct lead, the canter is alot smoother. I found this link for you, I hope it helps you a bit! -
http://www.youngrider.com/youngrider/detail.aspx?aid=2303&cid=3738&search=

[JOJOBA]

You can tell by the inside leg taking a longer step. If the outside leg looks like it's taking a longer step then you're on the wrong lead.
The horse will feel like it is looking to the outside when you are on the wrong lead, and will feel unstable on corners. They feel unbalanced when they are on the wrong leg too - not as flowing.

Dont worry, you will get used to it - you'll start to feel the difference!

xxx

[sheryl]

If you study a horse that is cantering you will notice that one front leg and one back leg will be leading infront of the other. When you are in the school (unless you are learning counter canter) the inside front and inside back should be leading. To check either ask someone else or slightly lean down to look. You can see by just looking at the shoulders which one is leading. Generally if the horse is on the right lead in front it will be on the right lead behind aswell, so don't worry about the back end!
If a horse is leading on one front leg and the opposite back leg it feels awfull. Rather like being on a rocky boat! I think you would know.
Hope this helps.
Sheryl x

[Nimbus65]

Inside = the side of the horse nearest the middle of the school . . . as opposed to outside which = the side of the horse nearest the wall of the school.

So a horse on the left rein (working anti-clockwise) would lead with his left front leg in canter. Ditto a horse on the right rein (clockwise) will lead with his right front. The leg sequence (on the right rein for example) goes:

1. Horse steps under and strikes off with right hind
2. Left fore and left hind in a pair
3. Right fore (which shows as leading)

It's odd to say you can feel it b/c unless you've felt "wrong lead" or counter canter and can mentally compare it, you'll have nothing to compare the "feel" to. I would have someone with you to watch what's happening on the ground and tell you when the canter lead is right or wrong so you can figure out for yourself which feels which way. I've found I can feel most things on horseback better if I close my eyes . . . but you might not want to canter with your eyes shut :D

N

[LindaAd]

If you sort of look down your nose a bit, without tipping your head forward, you can usually see the inside shoulder is slightly ahead of the outside one, and you can see the inside foot hit the ground.

I don't this is a recommended technique - you're supposed to feel - but it works.