Flying Changes, collection & extensionsH?

Question

Hello Everyone,

I need some help with my thoroughbred he is 15.2hh and i am trying to get him to;

Extending his walk, trot, canter.

Collecting his walk, trot, canter

And i feel him do the occasional flying change, how do i train him to do flying changes on command

(i have already tried the pole in the middle with the figure of 8, if that is how you do it can you please give me helpful tips to successfully doing it)

Thankyou everyone

=D

Answer 1

Flying changes will come AFTER you work on your extensions and collections... "most likely" what you are feeling him do is change leads in just his front legs - not do a proper lead change.  

I would really recommend working with a trainer for a bit.  A trainer will be able to see things you can not feel, and can get on your horse and give him a good schooling every once in a while.  You seem to have a long list of things you want to work on and having a trainer come out once a week or so will help you stay on track to meeting your goals.

THAT SAID here is what I have found to be the best way to teach the average horse (obviously there are some exceptions) how to do good lead changes.  Two Options:

If your horse can do small jumps; set up a small jump (2') in the middle of the figure 8.  Patiently work on getting the changes over the jump.  Once he is consistent with his changes, make the jump smaller.  Once he is consistent again, make it even smaller.... Until it is just a pole.  Once he is consistent try to remove the pole and ask for the change in that spot.  Once he is consistent at that you can start to ask for changes in other spots in the arena.

Option 2; work on your counter canter.  Ask your horse to canter around the ring on the 'wrong lead' - be sure he is bent slightly in the direction of his lead (outward) and is staying relaxed and balanced.  Work on doing LARGE circle as the counter-canter.  Once he is proficcient at the counter canter you can ask him to pick it up and come slightly off the rail.  In a corner, ask him to go back to the rail and ask for the lead change before he gets to the rail.  It should be easy for the horse to switch to the "correct" lead.  This option is MUCH harder for the rider but, if done EXACTLY right, will work quicker.

Remember to be sure your vet has verified there is no physical reason your horse can't do the changes before you work on it.  DON"T DRILL.  Don't anticipate with your body or your horse will become excited about the changes.

I hope this helps you!

Answer 2

I cant do the lead change but my instructor took and put up a cross rail in the center of the figure eight and jumped it and my mare would switch leads but I know my mare still has issues with her leads because she has other issues with chiropratic work but thats being taken care of next week.. :)  As far as extending its just a longer pace so you give them more momentium but dont allow them to go faster and they will take bigger steps, to start with for collection gather your reigns and make him or her work normally then to extension drop your rigns and push him or her to pick up the pace with out breaking gate. This may take some reign to keep the gate.. I dont know really havent got too many lessons on this and riding a fairly green horse so..

Answer 3

You won't get the degree of extension or collection of a Grand Prix dressage horse on your first try, just to let you know. Start small, take baby steps.

You'll start with lengthenings. When travelling around your arena, on the short side, do some light half halts to make sure your horse is in your hand, and stepping under himself. On the long side, first go into a driving seat, then ask with a leg aid for your horse to lengthen it's stride. Before the tempo increases, do a half halt to connect your horse and "recycle" th energy created. This way, the horse won't simply speed up. The tempo will remain the same, but the stride will lengthen. Let your horse's frame be longer than usual.

To bring your horse back, don't pull on the reins. Do a half halt and bring him to a working gait.

Collection is not just a slow gait. The same amount of energy being expended in an extension as in a collection. The energy is being channelled upwards, resulting in a more expressive gait.

To collect, start by doing a half halt to get your horse on your aids. Make sure the connection between rider/horse via reins is light and supple. Keep doing half halts but applying pressure with your legs.

Your horse is most likely not doing flying lead changes, it is probably just getting  disunited. Do lot's of circles, serpentines and other figures as well as LOTS of transitions both between gaits and within gaits (lengthening/shortening) to balance your horse and to get him to carry himself on his hind hend.

:)

Happy riding!

Answer 4

To get him to extend, keep your leg on. When your posting, squeeze each time you sit down. Keep him at a good speed, but this should get him to extend and if he does get faster use half halts. Very lightly too. When i need to collect my horses canter, i usually pull her nose in a little, and squeeze with your thighs. do some more half halts if that is not working. usually i count to three then let it go for two.

and for flying lead changes, i usually giver her the canter signal and direct her where to go. push hard, because sometimes you don't get it. and keep your hands up!

hope this helps:)