The Benefits of Cantering Your Horse

to give yourself permission to work on just one lead at a time. Often a horse will have one lead that is much more balanced. In fact he might only wish to canter on that lead and have quite a bit of balkiness about the other one. It is no use adding to his anxiety by making a big issue about his less preferred lead. Progress will happen faster if you spend a couple of weeks making positive headway on the lead he has less anxiety about. Forget about the other one for a while.
Once his balance and comfort improves on the good lead he will be able and willing to try harder on the less balanced lead. Plus you will have established clearer cues from your seat which will now have more meaning to him when you tackle the difficult lead. Too many riders spoil a days potential progress by assuming they have to train both leads and any improvements they might have made in rhythm relaxation and calmness fall apart.
Most horses will find their balance more quickly on a circle which is why canter is usually introduced and schooled in the early stages on a circle. A word of caution though Do not get married to the circle. As soon as you can make a canter departure on the correct lead and your horse is listening to you well leave the circle and ride a straight line. You can always return to the circle if you need to test your steering or your horses attention. But make sure you do not just ride round and round the circle each time you canter.
A horses balance improves by organizing his body on curved lines straight lines and the transitions between them. If he does not negotiate these small challenges as soon as possible his balance stagnates and riding straight lines becomes an insurmountable challenge. A horse that only canters round and round a circle will treat the straight line like a racetrack.
With these simple tips in mind assess your current ratios of time spent cantering and the perceived effect on your horse. Remember to use the critical fitness tool of cantering in a consistent and measurable way each week. His welloxygenated muscles and looser spine will be your reward.