What Causes a Horse to Cross Canter?

Before correcting a horse's cross canter, also known as "cross-fire" or "disquiet canter," make sure you correct the cause. Cross cantering occurs when a horse leads with one leg in the front, but leads with the opposite leg in the rear. This makes the gait uncomfortable for the rider and it can result in point deductions in competition. Underlying issues that can cause a horse to cross canter include inexperience, weakness and unsoundness or balance issues.

  1. Inexperience

    • Horses are not born knowing how to canter, just as humans are not born knowing how to run. As their coordination and balance develop, they learn what muscles they need to canter and begin strengthening them. A cross canter is most obvious when the horse is moving in a circle where the legs on the inside should be moving forward first. In nature, horses do not typically move in circles when there is room to run freely and they change leads frequently as direction changes.

    Training

    • Poor training and training a young horse too early can cause it to cross canter. Training for young horses commonly begins in a small enclosed pen on a lunge line that keeps it moving around the instructor in a circle. Young horses may not be able to perform these movements and they may cross canter if trained too young. Trainers who do not discourage this behavior teach the horse that a cross canter is acceptable and make it harder to correct.

    Weakness

    • Horses of all ages may cross canter when they do not have the strength necessary to canter on the correct lead. A horse pushes off from its hind end, and the hind leg opposite the correct lead, also called the "outside leg," supports most of the weight. If a horse does not have adequate muscle in its haunches or is weak in the hips, it may cross canter because it is easier.

    Pain

    • Horses who are unsound or in pain may cross canter; always eliminate these possibilities first before attempting retraining. An improperly fitting saddle can cause back pain that makes it painful for the horse to maintain the correct lead. Trainers recommend having a vet and chiropractor examine a horse that cross canters to make sure it is not in pain. If it clears a physical examine, the problem may be behavioral.