How are race horses trained to canter?

Answer by  partyanimal33 (452)

Horses do not need to be trained to canter, it is a natural pace that they will do all on their own.

Answer by  Roland27 (16334)

A lot of times they are basically trained by someone ringing a bell that sounds like the starting bell and the jockey whipping or spurring the horse along. Horses by nature know how to canter.

Answer by  Roland27 (16334)

Often times racehorse trainers will teach the horse to run at the sound of the starting bell. They usually cue the horse to go with vocal cues and often times hit them with whips to make them run.

Answer by  Sandra23 (29)

Starting on a longe line is the easiest way to begin training. Keep your longe whip behind your horse and use the verbal cue "canter" at the same time lightly touch the whip to the hindquarters. When the horse breaks into a canter reward them verbally, allow them to circle a few times then stop, reward and repeat.

Answer by  Roland27 (16334)

Bad trainers teach them to canter by whipping and spurring them until they move. The good trainers will bring them in the field with other horses and they learn that way. Cantering is a thing that horses do naturally. If you can get your horse up to speed he will canter.