Improving Canter Departs

The key to improving canter departs is to make sure the horse is truly straight and connected, with his outside hind leg ready to step well underneath his body. Why the outside hind leg? It's the first footfall of the canter depart and the canter stride itself. The quality of the canter depart, along with the balance and engagement of the canter in general, can be greatly improved by increasing the engagement of the outside hind leg. Here is an exercise that will utilize that concept to improve your canter departs: (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)