What are the aids for a flying change?

Question

What are the aids for a flying change?

Answer 1

you need to half halt and with the other leg ask for the change, make sure they dont run away though and if they dont change dont keep cantering aroung

Answer 2

I'll start with how I cue for a lead.  If I am going to canter to the left, I collect my horse and when the right hind hoof is about to hit the ground, I cue for the left lead by shifting to my right seat bone, applying right leg pressure, and shortening the right rein, simultaneously.

For the flying change, I use the same cues.  It is good to practice this in a figure eight, with the change at the intersection.  Just as you approach the intersection, collect the horse, and when the left hind is about to hit the ground, cue with your left seat bone and leg, shorten the left rein.  The switch to the right lead will happen as all but the left hind are off the ground, so the legs are midair when they change.  When they hit the ground again, you will be on the right lead.

The key to flying changes is knowing when the opposite hind leg is about to hit the ground.

Answer 3

Here's what I've been told, I really haven't worked on flying lead changes on the flat, which I should probably get the horse i"m riding out there, to work on that. But, I've been told after you land from the jump, you lean to the outside, and shorten the rein and press with your outside foot. And get it before hte corner.

Answer 4

You'll want to make sure you make it very clear to your horse what you are asking, try this exercise. Pick up a left lead canter, as you canter across the diagonal, leg yield your horse to the left (towards the long side you are heading towards)as you do this change you change your horse's bend to the right, sit deep in the saddle-do a strong half halt-and ask for the right lead canter (all 3 at the same time) your horse should do the change if he was trained to do so.. if not it will take practice to get your horse to understand.

Answer 5

for a flying lead change over the jump as soon as you are atop the jump before you even land look at the direction to wich you want to change the lead and as soon as you land turn in that direction and he should pick up the right lead.

for a flying lead change on the flat as soon as you turn in the direction to wich you want to change the lead with youre outside leg shift the hip over to the inside wich in turn will make him change leads

*****this may take more than just a few tries, especially if you and/or your horse arent familiar with flying lead changes

*********** FLYING LEAD CHANGES OVER THE JUMPS WILL BE EASIER************(especially if youre not familiar with flying lead changes)

ALSO A GREAT EXERCISE: for flying changes on the flat lay a ground pole in the middle of where ever you are riding come straite from the rail to the ground pole and as soon as you are atop/over it shift the outside hip- this will help for you and your horse-- i have been doing flying leaad changes for FOREVER and i still do this exercise when warming up

Answer 6

Ok... If your horse is just learning to perform flying lead changes, you'll want to start off slow. Horses naturally do flying lead changes all the time, but riders tend to get in the way of that, so we need to show our horses what we're asking of them.

Begin by cantering in one direction around the arena, for example, on the left lead. Get him going at a nice collected canter, listening to your aids. Begin a figure 8 across the center of the arena. When you get to X, or the middle of your figure 8, bring your horse down to a trot. Take two or three trot steps, and as you're in the trot, signal your horse to switch directions, both with your hands and your seat. You'll need to change the bend in your horse's neck from left to right. Then, immediately signal your horse to pick up a canter, this time on the right lead.

Do this a few times... figure 8's across the center of the arena, with a few trot steps in the center and picking up the other lead. This should get your horse ready for the next step.

Once your horse is listening and correctly picking up both leads without too much prompting, take him through the exercise again, say on the left lead again, but this time, instead of asking him to trot at X, switch the bend in his body from left to right, shift your seat, and as you enter the third beat of the canter where your horses inside (left) front leg is the only one on the ground, give him the signal for a canter on the right lead (usually a signal done with the left leg). As long as you don't get in his way, he should be able to switch leads.

Sorry if that was long and confusing, I tried to simplify it as much as I could. I hope it helped!