Exercise for Developing Counter Canter

What is Counter Canter?

'Counter canter' means cantering on the lead counter to the direction in which you are traveling. For example, if you're cantering clockwise round the arena, but are deliberately on the left canter lead, this is 'counter canter.'

Among other things, it's a test of the horse's balance and obedience under saddle, and is introduced in the Second Level dressage tests. 

Learning Counter Canter

Here’s a useful exercise for developing counter canter.

1.     Start with your horse’s easier canter lead as it will help him perform better.

Let’s say it's the left lead.

2.     Develop a rhythmic, active left lead canter on a 20 meter circle at one end of the arena.

3.     Once your canter is established, ride across the diagonal, maintaining a consistent tempo.

4.     Don’t go deep into the corner. Instead, turn your horse to the right in a shallow arc and begin a 20 meter circle at that end of the arena, maintaining the left lead. 

5.     Continue riding in counter canter on the 20 meter circle (or larger, if necessary).

6.     If your horse has trouble believing you're really serious about this ‘wrong lead’ business, exaggerate your canter aids to convince him. E.g. more inside bend, stronger outside leg behind the girth, stronger driving inside leg. But remain centered in the saddle, otherwise your horse will feel he’s losing his balance.

7.     Stay relaxed throughout, so this exercise doesn’t become a big deal for either of you.

8.     Once you’ve completed a circle, ride back across the diagonal and canter on the ‘correct lead’ for one circle.

Ride as if counter canter is the most normal thing in the world and you’ll stop yourself from stiffening in the saddle, making it harder on the horse.

Once in each direction is probably sufficient for your first attempt, as it’s physically and mentally tiring.

Make This a Daily Routine

Incorporate this exercise into your riding routine until it becomes second nature. Then you can start working on the Second Level three loop serpentines.

Another Use for this Exercise

My instructor originally gave me this exercise for Cruz because he wouldn’t bend to the left in left-lead canter. Not only did I have to ride him in counter canter, but I also had to counter-bend him to the right.

After a circle of this, it was a huge relief for him to bend correctly to the left!