EXERCISE: 5 COUNTER-CANTER
Counter-canter has the same rhythm as canter and your horse should be flexing over the leading leg, which makes it look like he’s cantering on the wrong leg but he’s not. Most issues occur when you overbend. This alters the balance over his shoulders and may cause him to change legs. Counter-canter is the one time Frank really shows his evasive powers, dropping the bit and changing legs or breaking back into trot. If this happens, it’s useful to go into walk, refocus and try again. Start by riding shallow loops in canter, 5m away from the track. Going back to the track, keep the bend over the leading leg and ride counter-canter for a few strides, even riding through the corners if it’s going OK. If that’s a step too far, trot before it falls apart. Increase the loop to 10m once your horse understands what he’s being asked to do.