Lead changes should be done in a way that keeps the horse calm and quiet, applying pressure with the opposite leg in order to maneuver the horse gradually. Practice smooth lead changes with helpful advice in this video on riding and caring for horses.
When we're doing early changes, particularly in reining patterns we want our horses to be calm, and quiet. We want them to be collected, and drive from behind, and lope into the bridal and be soft. And when we are ready to ask for our lead changes, we simply just pick our hands up just to collect them a little bit, and we're pushing with our outside leg, and then when we are ready to change, we just open that leg and go to the other one. And your horse should just change leads nice and quiet, soft and not change its cadence, and just stay steady and easy.
