How to Teach a Horse to Canter

Although a horse in the wild will canter naturally, a horse under saddle may need some training in order to grasp this skill with a rider on its back. The canter is a gait that falls in between the trot and a full gallop. For optimum results, training should begin on the ground and then advance to the saddle. Teaching a horse to canter will only be successful if the horse already knows how to talk and trot under the saddle. It is also beneficial if the horse understands how to lunge.

Things You'll Need

  • Properly fitting halter
  • Lunge line and lunge whip
  • Your horse's normal saddle and bridle
  • Safe enclosed area to work with the horse
  • Whip or quirk
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Instructions

  1. Ground Work

    • 1

      Outfit your horse in a properly fitted halter. Hook a lunge line to the halter and lead the horse to a large, flat area where you can safely lunge it.

    • 2

      Ask the horse to move out in a circle around you at a trot. Encourage the horse to keep moving by lightly tapping its hindquarters with the whip.

    • 3

      Cluck at the horse to encourage it to move a little faster at the trot. Give the horse any desired command to canter. Some examples of commands are "giddy up," "hut hut," "canter" or "let's go." It does not matter which command you give as long as you are consistent and say the command loudly and firmly. If horse begins to canter, stop it and offer a reward. If the horse fails to canter, you can tap its hindquarters with a whip. Continue practicing this until the horse automatically moves into the canter when you give the command.

    Under Saddle

    • 4

      Saddle your horse in its regular halter and bridle. Take the horse to a safely enclosed space to work on the canter. Warm up the horse a little bit at the trot before working on the canter lesson.

    • 5

      Select a straight fence line in the enclosure to begin the cantering lesson. The fence will help keep the horse straight when it is first learning. Trot the horse up and down the fence line a few times to get it used to the area.

    • 6

      Begin a fast forward trot down the fence line. Lean to the front of the saddle, loosen your grip on the reins, tap your heels lightly and give the horse your command for canter. If the horse begins to canter, release all cues and reward it. If the horse does not begin to canter try tapping it on the shoulder with the whip or quirk. If the horse still does not begin to canter, try tapping it lightly on the rump until it moves into a canter. Practice until you no longer need the whip or quirk.

    • 7

      Canter the horse and practice stops and turns. Repeat all of these things until you are comfortable at the canter before riding the horse outside of the enclosure.