Flying Lead Changes advice needed

[cee_gee]

One thing I have always struggled with is flying lead changes. I know the theory but have trouble with the timing. I am getting to the point where being unable to do them is costing me points in discipline rail and equitation classes. As I am going to World in four weeks, (PANIC!) I really want to address this. Does anyone have any advice?

Comments

[candysgirl]

I would set up cones or something (hell even upside down buckets would work) spaced in various places around the arena.

Can you give the lead change a verbal cue also? My old boy would pick up a canter when I kissed. If I kissed while he was already in a canter he'd switch leads. If I kept kissing he'd get down to switching every stride. May not work if you're showing in something where you can't talk to the horse.

First start off at a figure eight. Put a cone in the center and get used to cueing for the lead change at that cone. Practice that until you've got decent accuracy.

Then set up cones in a straight line down the center of the arena. Pick up a canter and ask for a lead change at each cone. I'd start out with just one in the center then work up to as many as reasonably fit in your arena. Count strides between cones. If it helps at first you could ask him to essentially weave the cones. That may help get the idea across.

Then I'd put cones around the outide of the arena. Stick to straightaways at first. It'll be much harder to counter-canter in a turn if he's not used to it.

Something else that might help - my instructor at my old Saddlebred barn used to put masking tape on the horse's shoulders. It helped us learn which legs were forward when because the tape sort of exaggerates to the eye when they're up.