Lead Changes

Hey lately I have been trying really hard to do lead changes on my appaloosa Jazz, but I just cannot figure out how to, my trainer explains everything but I just cant get it through my head, any tips?

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Permalink Reply by Meredith Kramer on February 11, 2010 at 8:58pm

I need some tips too!

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Permalink Reply by Lauren on February 11, 2010 at 9:08pm

well we should try to find some tips together on the internet!

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Permalink Reply by Meredith Kramer on February 14, 2010 at 6:38pm

Haha ok I also have a article from Horse Illustarted on them

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Permalink Reply by Mary Ann Algeo on March 2, 2010 at 11:24am

What issue is the lead change article in?

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Permalink Reply by Brooke on February 24, 2010 at 4:02pm

did you try putting poles on the diagonals and asking for lead chnges over them??? that's how i taught my pony to do them!!

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Permalink Reply by Lauren on February 24, 2010 at 5:25pm

well right now he does these weird lead changes where his front two legs will change but his hinds wont, i know how to cue for a change, but im not sure if i am doing the correct thing?

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Permalink Reply by Tara Freel on February 27, 2010 at 2:01pm

Sharper leg aids, not hard but strong and fast... also you may be slower brining the inside leg @ the start back so tht needs to be fastr..

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Permalink Reply by Lauren on February 28, 2010 at 6:30pm

thank you so much i hope it works!

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Permalink Reply by Julia Slater on March 2, 2010 at 11:46am

Maybe if you understand the mechanics of a lead change a little better you might be able to put things together.

Flying changes are a Lateral, much like sidepasses, leg yields and hip arounds.
More specifically, Swaps are the same type of lateral as a half pass. Bend to the inside, lateral motion to the inside.
Another thing... a horse picks up the lope out of the trot w/ his hindend first. Hence a lead change has to come from the hindend first.
Yeah, they can do it from the front to the back, but that will usually involve two lope strides. A correct swap is on one jump, hindend first and the front end goes w/ it.

The reason your horse won't swap on the back is cause he can't move his hind end laterally at your command.
Work on the laterals, specifically, get him to move his hind laterally, and you should have better luck.