Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Most horses already know how to canter.
What they don’t understand is the aid.
Teaching a horse to canter isn’t about making them go faster or pushing harder – every horse already knows how to canter. What we actually have to teach is the aids we use to ask for it.
In this video, I show you how I teach a horse to canter by first establishing the canter cue from the ground, then building a clear bridge from groundwork to ridden work. This gives the horse one clear answer, rather than turning the transition into a multiple-choice question.
I demonstrate this first on Rebel, who is well trained, so you can clearly see the timing, leg, seat, and weight aids without confusion. At the end of the video, I also include footage of truly green horses, so you can see what early canter attempts really look like – including when they are messy, unbalanced, or on the wrong lead.
In this video, you’ll see:
• Why you don’t “teach” canter – you teach the aids
• How to introduce the canter cue from the ground
• How to carry that same cue into the saddle
• Why corners and bend help early canter transitions
• Why sitting is not the canter aid
• How and when to release the aid
• Why timing the outside hind leg matters
• What to expect from young or green horses learning to canter
This process takes time, and every horse learns at a different rate. Some horses pick it up quickly, others need more repetition – and that’s completely normal. Clear aids, correct timing, and consistency are what allow the horse to understand what you’re asking.
📌 Download my free Three Principles Handout - basichorsetraining.com/3-principles
📌 Have questions? Drop them in the comments, and I'll do my best to answer!
📌 Want to know more about Basic Horse Training Academy - Go Here 👉 basichorsetraining.com/courses/basic-horse-training-academy
❤️ No obligation whatsoever, but if I have brought you value and you would like to donate to support this channel or buy the horses some hay!! Go Here buymeacoffee.com/basichorsetraining
Find me on Facebook: facebook.com/basichorsetraining
Find me on Instagram: instagram.com/basichorsetraining
BLOG POST: basichorsetraining.com
#basichorsetraining #horsetraining
Most horses already know how to canter.
What they don’t understand is the aid.
Teaching a horse to canter isn’t about making them go faster or pushing harder – every horse already knows how to canter. What we actually have to teach is the aids we use to ask for it.
In this video, I show you how I teach a horse to canter by first establishing the canter cue from the ground, then building a clear bridge from groundwork to ridden work. This gives the horse one clear answer, rather than turning the transition into a multiple-choice question.
I demonstrate this first on Rebel, who is well trained, so you can clearly see the timing, leg, seat, and weight aids without confusion. At the end of the video, I also include footage of truly green horses, so you can see what early canter attempts really look like – including when they are messy, unbalanced, or on the wrong lead.
In this video, you’ll see:
• Why you don’t “teach” canter – you teach the aids
• How to introduce the canter cue from the ground
• How to carry that same cue into the saddle
• Why corners and bend help early canter transitions
• Why sitting is not the canter aid
• How and when to release the aid
• Why timing the outside hind leg matters
• What to expect from young or green horses learning to canter
This process takes time, and every horse learns at a different rate. Some horses pick it up quickly, others need more repetition – and that’s completely normal. Clear aids, correct timing, and consistency are what allow the horse to understand what you’re asking.
📌 Download my free Three Principles Handout - basichorsetraining.com/3-principles
📌 Have questions? Drop them in the comments, and I'll do my best to answer!
📌 Want to know more about Basic Horse Training Academy - Go Here 👉 basichorsetraining.com/courses/basic-horse-training-academy
❤️ No obligation whatsoever, but if I have brought you value and you would like to donate to support this channel or buy the horses some hay!! Go Here buymeacoffee.com/basichorsetraining
Find me on Facebook: facebook.com/basichorsetraining
Find me on Instagram: instagram.com/basichorsetraining
BLOG POST: basichorsetraining.com
#basichorsetraining #horsetraining
