Flying Lead Changes: Only for "Fancy" Horses?

[BlackJackBreeze]

My lease horse, a 10 year old Connemara gelding, has a sweet personality and is willing to learn, so I'd like to put him to work with flying lead changes. According to his owner, the girl leasing him before me worked with him on them so I have an advantage. So is there anyone out there who knows how to teach a horse how to do a flying lead change? Also, is this just for horses who are "engaged" and "on the bit"? Any advice and help on how to do a flying lead change would be very helpful!

[lneill84]

A flying lead change will only happen if your horse is engaged and on the bit, if he's running with his head down on his forehand, they literally won't be able to lift their body up and coordinate. First off, watch him in the paddock run around. If you have to, chase him a bit and watch him do natural lead changes first. Horses, just like humans, favor left or right. See if he can cleanly change behind, or if he has to break first to switch. Ive never met a horse that changes behind and cant change up front. I have met horses that physically cannot do a lead change, even running in a paddock-they either break or counter canter. Once you've established which side he's better on, start on that side in the ring. For this purpose, lets say he's better on his right. First try going to the left, canter down the diagonal and see what he does to swap leads. You could luck out, and he naturally changes lead (many horses do). If he doesn't start really easy. Canter down the diagonal, break to a trot about 3/4 of the way down, and then canter again on the right lead. Shorten the time between canter trot canter. He should start to get that he should swap leads. You can also place a pole at the 3/4 mark, and canter over it. Many horses find it easier to first swap in the air. To do all this (still going off left lead), you will need to start pushing him off your right leg down the diagonal. Keep his head a bit to the right. Keep pushing with your right leg, give him a half halt, and then a push with your left leg to give the signal to swap leads. Right when you give that signal should be when you are going over the pole, if thats what you chose to try. If he swaps up front, but not behind, its ok-it just means he was too much on his forehand to swap. He should literally rock back, and swap over. It helps to start with flat work-he should easily move off both legs, and be balanced. If he's running on his forehand, he cannot physically get his legs in order to switch. Same with muscle tone-if he's fat and flabby, he's going to really have to work to swap. Starting on the diagonal is a good natural way to behind lead changes. Eventually, he should be able to swap back and forth going down a straight line with no problems. So just remember, push with to your outside leg, and then ask. If he's really strong and balanced, he will eventually be able to do it around corners and so forth. Its also good to ask him to counter canter, which can bulid up muscles, and make him more balanced.

[LoneStar]

hi,
I've not really got anything to add to ineill's fab advice, just wondering if this was the same horse you were considering loaning a while ago, the slightly unfriendly one with the manners issues? If so, it sounds like he's come a long way already! :)

[Joecorny]

This may sound kind of stupid, accually really stupid. but what's a flying lead change?

[Fluffyrice]

you also need to have your horse balanced, if not balanced your horse will not attempt it at all...also if you rely on your hands alot, don't try it, pulling your horses head around to try to get him to bend the other way won't work...

if your horse is balanced he will automaticaly take the bit...

flying lead changes is when if you are on the right lead your horse will switch his front and back legs so that he will be on the left lead...without slowing down...

[Joecorny]

that's realy anoying, my horse does that on its own, kind of. she slows down a little i think.

[SJFancy]

One of my horses, Fancy has a way of the flying lead changes, she's almost perfect at it, I have worked on it for about 2 months and before i did, she was horrible at it...