Teaching my green horse lead changes?

Question

Just wondering if anyone as any strategies regarding teaching a green horse lead changes. Everything is going well, but i need a consistant training schedule to teach my Hanovarian, 17.2, gelding his lead changes. He isn't a speedy learner so I need something that will allow patience on both our parts but isn't boring for either of us. I've tried some diagonal pole flat work with simple changes over the pole, he'll pick it up quite fast and sometimes switch automatically over the ground pole. Is this a good way to start? He seems to forget though the next day I ride him. What are your suggestions?

(PS: I'm not a begginner rider so please don't treat me like that. This is just the first horse i've broken that is what I call a "dumblood"- a slower learner than the others i've dealt with-quite clumsy- no offense to anyone :) )

Experienced rider's answers only please.

Answer 1

yes diagonal poles are a good place to start, try cantering your horse in tight figure 8's. He'll be unbalanced naturally, and hopefully he will automatically switch.

Answer 2

One thing about learning lead changes...dont drilllllllll your horse too much or they will never have a good lead change. We have a hanoverian at our barn that was completely messed up because her owners drilled and drilled her on auto changes now she cant and wont do them at all. The diagonal pole trick is the one i've always had the most luck with, but you can also do tight figure eights and when you switch direction they will have to throw the lead change or they will trip, those are hard for slow learners though. Just keep up the work with him now but dont drill him, when he does whats asked of him 1 or 2 times end there on a good note.

Answer 3

Yes the pole on the ground is the best way.

Also try going across the diagnal and leg yeilding to the wall at the quater line this will force him to get under himself, at the corner ask for the lead change.

Also setting up a small fence and practicing over that. This is one of those things that take a lot of practice and being repeated, when he gets it though he will love it and be very proud.