Ekidemy

In Galop 4 you learnt how the canter works on the right and left leads. On a curve, a horse normally canters true: on the right lead when it turns right. It is in counter-canter when it stays on the lead opposite the curve: on a right-hand curve it canters on the left lead, slightly flexed to the left, left fore and left hind leading. French riders long called it galop à faux, the “false canter”; today they prefer contre-galop, since nothing is false about an exercise you ask for, but the Galop 6 programme still uses the old name. In English it is simply the counter-canter.

The qualities of a good counter-canter

• The canter keeps its three beats, its suspension and the same cadence as in true canter.
• The horse keeps a slight flexion towards its leading leg — to the right in right canter — even when the curve turns left.
• It stays balanced, without going disunited, changing leg or rushing.
• The track is accurate: a wide, rounded curve, with no angles.
• The rider sits straight, without leaning into the curve, the aids discreet.

Why this exercise? In counter-canter the hind leg on the side of the lead, the right hind in right canter, is on the outside of the curve and has further to travel: the horse steps under, builds muscle, finds its balance and grows more attentive to the aids. It is also a preparation for flying changes.

Riding it on a wide curve

1. 1Start in true canterPick up a balanced, active true canter on the lead you want to keep.
2. 2Change direction, not leadRide a curve that brings you back the other way: a shallow loop along the long side, or a diagonal followed by a well-rounded corner. At first, three or four strides of counter-canter are plenty.
3. 3Keep the canter aidsKeep the aids for the lead you started on: the leg on the side of the lead at the girth, the other leg slightly behind it, flexion towards the lead. Sit in the middle of the saddle and look where you are going.
4. 4Back to true canterRide a curve in the direction of the lead again, or come back to trot before the horse goes disunited, and reward it.

At Galop 6, counter-canter is ridden on wide curves. Striking off into counter-canter straight from walk, or holding 20 m circles in counter-canter, is on the Galop 7 programme.

Outside flexion in all three gaits

Riding a curve with outside flexion means turning one way while keeping the neck slightly flexed the other way, towards the outside of the curve. In counter-canter it is the natural outline; at walk and trot, it is an exercise that supples the horse and controls its shoulders. Ask for the flexion with the rein on the outside of the curve, with a slight flexion at the poll, without pulling; guide the direction by opening the inside rein slightly, with the outside rein pressed against the neck; the leg on the inside of the curve keeps the horse active and stops it cutting in. Keep to wide curves and go back to inside flexion after a few strides.