Thoroughbred Logic, Presented by Kentucky Performance Products: 8 Tips for Getting the Correct Lead
“Despite the consistency of the shape and direction of the tracks in this country, American Thoroughbreds run on both leads …”
Welcome to the next installment of Thoroughbred Logic. In this weekly series, Anthropologist and trainer Aubrey Graham, of Kivu Sport Horses, offers insight and training experience when it comes to working with Thoroughbreds (although much will apply to all breeds). This week ride along as Aubrey shares her logic on getting your horse to take the correct lead.
American horse racing tends to run only one direction: left (counter clockwise). Tracks in the United Kingdom, Europe and further afield may run right, left, or through shapes that are not a simple oval — figure eights, right turns, straight lines and the like. Unlike our flat racing, some foreign tracks even come with terrain changes (the Curragh in Ireland, for instance, runs right with an uphill finish). This trivia matters when it comes to restarting the Off Track Thoroughbred, but perhaps not in the way that many might think. Sure, they run left here. The assumption, therefore, is that they only have a good left lead.
Nopelope.
Crossing the finish line on the right lead at Finger Lakes Racetrack in Farmington, NY. Photo by author.
Despite the consistency of the shape and direction of the tracks in this country, American Thoroughbreds run on both leads — often swapping to the right on the straightaways and back to the left on the turns. They are also schooled in both directions on the training tracks and many are broke to ride out allowing them to gain strength to the right and to the left. So even though sometimes the left is easier for a new OTTB, it is certainly not all they know, nor a consistent trend. They should come off the track with a (high speed) lead change and the ability to use both leads — though they may not find it equally easy to canter off quietly on each.
One of the fun tests during those first rides is whether or not the green Thoroughbred can get both leads (and really, whether the rider can figure them out enough to ask in a way that produces both leads), and assessing which lead they prefer.
Morning Artie (Finch) shows off his exceptionally balanced right lead canter at Kivu. Photo by Lily Drew.
For getting the hard lead, here are a eight tips to help you out:
1. Always start from a balanced trot
The quality of the gait you are asking for comes from the quality of the gait you’re in. So, if you want a good, balanced, not-rushing-off canter, always start with a quality, rhythmic, balanced trot. I’m a stickler for this, especially when one gets the canter but it then falls apart back to the trot. Instead of rushing the horse back into it, it’s always best to rebalance, half halt, slow down to a quality trot and ask again.
An easy way to get the correct lead: Down the diagonal at a trot (blue) change bend and canter (green).
2. Use your corners
Asking of the canter in a corner heading down the long side sets up the horse to be able to step into the correct lead. I like to use the short sides of the arena and the corners to encourage the correct bend and the use of both the outside and inside aids. Better yet, though, I like to ask for the canter after trotting down the long diagonal and changing direction. The change of direction has them stood up, consciously thinking through your leg and hand, and helps them step through the outside hind, which then helps create the correct lead.
Bunny (California Emerald) uses his corners well and balances up before a transition. Photo by Lily Drew.
3. Think through their shoulders
Often lead-getting errors come from a problem with the bend that has been created. I see this more often when the horse has managed to get over-bent, rather than too-straight or counter bent. If the shoulder has dropped too far to the outside of the arena, they’re likely to step through their inside hind leg and land on the outside (wrong) lead. Take a minute to shift their bend, move their shoulder back towards straight (sometimes it has to come further to the inside than anticipated), apply as much outside leg as necessary to keep them standing straight and ask again.
Nell’s Bells creates a correct shape on her first post track ride. Her quality trot enabled an equally quality canter on both leads. Photo by Lily Drew.
4. Allow the mistakes
I know that everyone wants to get it right. But, when things don’t go as planned and you have asked for a canter and received the wrong lead, just run with it. Getting into a canter is a correct effort, even if the lead is not. Immediately yanking a horse back to trot punishes the try they gave (they did canter, after all). So instead, I’ll let them canter at least the long side on the wrong lead. If they’re balanced enough and I have space, I’ll try to hold the canter, change direction on the diagonal and allow them to work the “wrong” lead in the right direction. Then I’ll try for the correct lead again with a more conscious, balanced ask.
Always reward the try. Photo by Lily Drew.
5. Use a shallow trot loop
Like using your corners to shape the bend, the shallow trot loop down a long side directs the horse off of the straight and towards the inside of the arena, changes the bend and then returns them to the rail shifting the bend back towards the original shape. I use these loops to move their shoulders and body around, often timing the ask just before we return to the track. In that position, the direction is clear, but the shoulder — which initially may have dropped too far to the outside — is stood up from changing bend on the quarter line. If the horse and I are struggling to figure it out, I’ll trot these a few times to feel out the timing and the bend before asking for a canter.
Shallow loop canter cue: Trot blue; Canter green.
6. Cue the canter with the inside leg
Sometimes holding the bend or straightness through the body requires a ton of solid outside leg and supportive rein. If a rider then goes to cue the canter with said outside leg, the subtle shift allows the horse to drop their ribs back to the outside. Instead, keep the outside aids steady and use the inside leg to cue the canter — allow the rider to ask for a change in gait without compromising the support needed to create the correct lead.
Unwanted Input (Dixie) finding her balance on the right lead after moving her shoulder in for the transition. Photo by Lily Drew.
7. Hop on the opposite diagonal before asking
With recently retired racehorses, I like to post into the canter. That said, I’ll hop on the off diagonal at the trot to balance the ask. That small shift allows me to be seated when cuing the hind leg into the canter. The continued posting however, allows the horse to maintain their balance and continuity of (minimal) pressure over their back. Sitting into the canter changes the balance the rider had created at the rising trot and will often cause a green horse to hollow before launching into a new gait — which then produces a faster, less balanced canter and so on.
Indy (Star Player) showing off a very balanced uphill canter. Photo by Lily Drew.
8. Use a pole or a small cross-rail
If the lead is difficult to produce but the horse is willing to step over poles or a low cross-rail, I’ll often use that to create a quieter, less stressful transition. Set a crossrail or a pole on a diagonal and allow them to land the lead. Once there, ride it maintaining balance to help strengthen it and set up for success in the future. This tactic also cuts down on rushing into tough transitions. If they land the off-lead, I’ll aim to balance them, change direction and let them work that one before coming back for another try.
Wolf (Louisiana Moon) didn’t have a left lead for months after he let down from the track. It took some time and strengthening, but it’s there now. Photo by Sarah Hepler.
Ultimately, there are myriad ways to produce the correct lead. Turns, shifts, leg yields, and any number of tactics on the ground and in the saddle can help. The big takeaway though is that if a horse can’t seem to respectively get the left or right lead, that’s OK. Give them time. But if it persists, it’s helpful to see if a trainer or more experienced rider is able to work them into the lead. If they’re not capable of producing the lead either, it may be time to pause and allow for more let-down from the track, while thinking through body work, a veterinary work up (often for hind end joint issues), strength and suppleness exercises, shoes and hoof angles, and the like.
So go ride folks, stay warm, and enjoy the sometimes trial-and-error process of producing both leads.
About Kentucky Performance Products, LLC:
Respiratory issues can impact horses of all ages, affecting both their health and performance. Kentucky Performance Products is excited to introduce AirWise™, a research-proven supplement designed to support normal airway function in horses facing respiratory challenges.
AirWise is formulated with a diverse blend of potent antioxidants and micronutrients. These work synergistically to support a return to a healthier respiratory system in your horse. The end result: Helping horses perform at their best.
Contact your veterinarian to discuss if AirWise will benefit your horse.
