Tips with Cantering a Horse

Tips with Cantering a Horse

Author: Mark Langley March 1, 2026 Duration: 23:16

Most standard bred or trotting horses are taught to be mechanical—paced, stiff, and resistant—until one trainer shares the transformative mindset shift that unlocks softness and how to get them to relax into a canter.

If you've ever struggled to get a relaxed lope, a confident canter, or clear lead changes, this episode reveals the simple yet powerful foundational truths that can make all the difference. Mark Langley breaks down how to get horses to soften, follow the rein, and find their natural gaits without force or frustration. You'll discover:

  • Why most pacing horses are tense and how to help them relax into true movement
  • The real purpose of legs and reins, and how to use them to communicate rather than control
  • Simple exercises to encourage soft transitions from walk to trot, canter, and flying lead changes
  • The key to turning resistance into resilience, especially with sensitive, defensive horses
  • Why foundational groundwork is the quickest path to a horse that trusts and moves freely, no matter their background Join Mark Langley, a world-renowned expert in emotive horsemanship, as he shares the simple yet effective principles that turn resistance into resilience and stiffness into softness. This episode might just change the way you think about training—and your horse’s entire mindset.

Ever find yourself wondering what your horse is really thinking, or feel like you're stuck in a cycle of the same training challenges? Mark Langley Horsemanship Solutions for Partnership digs into those questions with a focus on understanding, not just obedience. Hosted by Mark Langley, this podcast moves beyond standard commands and techniques to explore the psychology behind equine behavior. Each episode is built around real questions from horse owners, offering practical advice that prioritizes compassion and builds a genuine connection. You'll hear detailed discussions on common issues-from groundwork struggles to building trust under saddle-always steering clear of forceful or dominating methods. The aim is to influence the horse's mindset, creating solutions that last and fostering a true partnership built on mutual respect. Whether you're a family introducing kids to their first pony, a dedicated hobbyist, or someone simply passionate about animal education, this series provides thoughtful perspectives for anyone seeking a deeper, more successful relationship with their horse. Tune in for a conversation that redefines horsemanship, one thoughtful solution at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 103

Mark Langley Horsemanship Solutions for Partnership
Podcast Episodes
Helping Re-Educate the Trained Horses [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:10
Expert Horseman Mark Langley helps provide Effective, Emotive Training Solutions for horses. This week: learn how to Help the Trained Horses. Mark answers questions on: a 16 yr old stick horse who is now racey & fights t…
My thoughts on Clicker Training [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:01
A look into Clicker Training: how it works; the benefits and downsides; what to watch out for; and a comparison to other general horsemanship training practices which commonly use negative/ positive reinforcement. Listen…
How to Know when to Stop Training or Keep going? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:06
This week Mark Langley offers his expert advice on how to know when to stop training your horse - they just aren't getting there - or when to keep going to get them through and past that point. Mark is known for creating…
Help with Girthiness + Picking up Feet! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:08
This week Mark addresses 2 really common problems that people ask us about: Girthiness and Feet. In this episode, Mark Langley provides emotional explanations behind girthiness (and anxiety) and sheds light on practical…
How Our Training Can Influence how a Horse Feels about us [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:58
In this week's episode, Mark Langley guides us through Helping the Nervous Horses to come out of their shell and trust us: how we can create a shift in their mental acceptance of us, leading to confidence and a desire to…
How to Structure your Training using my Unstructured Approach! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:42
In this episode, Mark addresses How to Structure your Training giving his thoughts on what to assess to make logical decisions; How he would do a Pre-Flight check and he answers some general training questions based on t…
Separation Anxiety: how to help [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:25
This week we listen to a podcast Mark did in 2023 on Separation Anxiety as he helps to provide specific training solutions to help various scenarios with Separation Anxiety a leading factor. Listen for training help on:…
Advice for Pushy horses near food! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:09
Horse Expert Mark Langley offers his advice on Pushy Horses: How to help an anxious, pushy horse on trail (always pulling the reins); a pushy horse at feed time and how to Assess what an Unknown Horse does or doesn't kno…
Training the Thoughts: how to get a Horse's Thought [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:00
Horse training for Mark Langley is all about getting a horse's thoughts and body to align. Gaining a horse's thought, directing it, and keeping it are all skills that Mark is highly familiar with, and he uses them to cha…