My horses wont get flying lead changes? how do I get him to?

Question

I have a large pony And I've been working leads on him forever....

I have done simple and hes getting them just fine, I've jumped he got a lead and I've went in that direction. I've also tryed leads over poles and he gets it about 60-70 %of the time So I think hes ready for flying lead changes. And when riding sometimes when just randomly riding he gets them its hard but e gets them. so how do I get my pony to get leads? help please!!!!!!! please I don't want advice about a trainer, something i half to buy, I can get it at home, just need some help thanks!

Answer 1

Flying lead changes are a latteral movement which means your horse needs to be in shape to do them.  Start by doing lots of latteral movements like two tracking, sidepassing and even circles with shoulders in.  Then start by doing a figure 8 and in the center instead of asking for a flying lead change initially, you will stop and sidepass in the direction your circle you just made was.  for example: If you were doing a circle on the right lead you would stop in the center and sidepass to the right for a couple of steps and immediately ask the horse to leave off on the left lead.  Do these for a while, both directions then try a flying change.  When you first start asking for the flying change you want to be very exacerated in your cues and patient.  Your horse probable has a favorite lead, start on the other and ask him to change to his prefered lead.  this will make it easier for him to understand what it is you want.  dont punnish him for not getting it.  Flying leads is a hard thing for some horses.  When you are cueing him make sure you are either sitting perfectly center or even with more weight on the outside pocket, so you take the weight off of the shoulder he needs to elevate in order to change leads.  If you are asking him to go from a left lead to the right then you need to cue him at the cinch on the left side, leave you right leg off of him and sit deep on your left back pocket so he is able to elevate his right shoulder to finish the change.  I he doesnt get it just drop down to the trot for a stride and ask for the lead again.

Another way to practice flying changes is the follow the rail at a counter canter and ask for a flying change in the corner.  Same a before dont punnish for not getting it, just ask again or drop to a trot for a stride and change.  

With practice and patients you will get it eventually.  Good luck

Answer 2

My mum is trying to teach my horse to do that.

I can do simple changes fairly easily but not flying.

Mum said that she teaches her horses by sorta forcing them to. do a circle at a canter and then start a figure 8 without letting him break to a trot. he should get it eventually!

Good Luck!!

Answer 3

haneysfullranch describes well the work you need to do to prepare your pony for flying changes....if you try to skip past the lateral training and conditioning described, you won't get the proper changes and your pony may be injured.

Answer 4

A flying lead change is actually quite an advanced school movement. The person above me is correct in their information.

Before you teach this to your horse, you certainly need to be working at a fairly advanced level with your pony, so as not to confuse him.In other words, your pony needs to be able to recognise very small cues from you and you need to be able to use both legs and hands independently.