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Discussion on Prepare lead change
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Roxanne Bowman |
Posted on Monday, Apr 5, 1999 - 11:12 am:
I own a thoroughbred-welsh mare pony who currently has been trained by me. We are doing very well and compete in the pony hunter ring. Our next step in training is the flying lead change. We can do the simple lead change, canter, trot, and canter off, but it doesn't help us in the show ring very much to keep our constant steady pace. What kind of exercises will help ease the introduction of the lead change, what are the exact cues for a flying lead change, and I also hear that horses turn nasty when asked for the flying lead change turning to bucking to get away from the work. My mare is very gentle and willing and I don't want her to turn nasty just for the lead change.
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Marlane |
Posted on Monday, Apr 5, 1999 - 11:12 am:
To teach the flying lead change it is neccesary to have your horse take each lead when you cue her.Then go on to the figure eight and switch leads in the middle with a few trot strides in between.Then after a while ask for the change with no trot stride.Your cues have to be very distinct so that she understands and the use of your body weight should be part of that.As for the bucking, probably if you horse is fit and is not sore in the back then it will be no problem,but be mindful of not repeating the lesson too many times and rewarding lavishly,such as stopping immediatly after a correct response.
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Lola |
Posted on Monday, Apr 5, 1999 - 11:13 am:
Hi Roxanne!
A horse who is fit and wearing comfortable tack will not turn sour when asked to preform a flying change. If they do, you have to ask yourself if the horse is ready both mentally and physically to do the job.
To start training the lead change, make sure you know how to tell when you are on the proper lead. It won't do any good if you aren't sure! Make sure your horse will pick up the lead you ask for by asking her to canter on a given lead down the centre of the ring with no walls for support or to hint at direction. If she will willingly take either lead when in the centre of the ring and can preform the simple changes (as you have mentioned) you can start with this simple exercise:
Place a solid ground pole in the middle of the ring at an angle so that you can canter it in both directions as you cross the diagonal. Pick up your canter and when it is steady and relaxed canter across the diagonal and over the pole. The pole will make your horse skip a beat and land on the opposite lead. As you go over the pole cue for the chnage by switching your leg aids (so that the leg you ask for the lead is behind the girth and the other leg is at the girth) and tighten your feel on the rein you will use for that lead to tip her nose in a bit (ie: right lead = right hand, left leg behind girth/ left lead = left rien, right leg behind girth) This exercise works well when you can ride into a corner three or four strides after the pole. The corner will help reinforce your horse to understand why she needs to change leads... To keep balanced!
Your horse will soon learn what the switch in your cues means and change her lead.
Even better than the flying change (in my humble opinion) is to get the horse on the proper lead right off the jump. If you are looking in the direction you want to travel in, your weight and hands will naturally guide your horse in the direction. As you land from the jump, cue for the proper lead with your hands and legs. I haven't met many horses who resist taking the proper lead right off the jump when the rider is prepared and looking ahead.
Have fun with your training!
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