Managing a Horse who Anticipates 

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Training a horse that anticipates can be challenging, however anticipation, when channeled effectively, is not necessarily a bad thing. It shows that the horse is eager and listening. In this video, you will learn strategies to manage your horse's anticipation. I'm riding Mercurio who is a wonderful PRE who sometimes can get hot and anticipate. I enjoy his eagerness and energy, so I just have to help him to manage his excitement!
Here are some techniques to help with anticipation:
Move Sideways: When your horse anticipates, move them sideways in a little leg yield feeling (or shoulder fore it you can). This will get your leg on your horse, slow them down and help to engage the hind leg.
Establish a consistent tempo and contact: The more consistent you can stay with the tempo and the contact, the more your horse will settle and relax.
One of the biggest places where horse anticipate is the canter transition. If your horse anticipates your asking for canter, here are some tips to help:
Circles: Stay on circles and bending lines to help regulate the tempo
Leg Position: You don't want to take your leg completely off between the transitions as it will surprise your horse and cause them to anticipate more. On a circle line, keep your outside leg slightly behind the girth and the inside leg at the girth both to help with the bending and to prepare for the canter transition.
Take Time Between Transitions: Ensure your horse settles between transitions and go back to moving a little sideways and establishing a steady tempo again before trying another transition.
I hope these tips help you and your horse! If you need more help, check out the free mini-course on rider position. Your position is crucial when managing an anticipating horse.
Happy Riding!
Amelia