Lead Change

Lead Changes A lead change refers to a horse, moving in a canter or gallop, changing from one lead to the other. There are two basic forms of lead change: simple and flying. Simple change The simple change is a way to change leads on a horse that has not yet learned how to perform a flying change. In most cases, riders change leads by performing a few steps of the trot, before coming back to the opposite lead of the canter. However, a true simple change asks for the horse to perform a canter-walk-canter transition. This requires more balance from the horse, and more finesse in timing the aids from the rider. Simple changes going through the walk are used as stepping stones for the flying change, asking the horse for more self-carriage that is needed for the flying change. Flying change The flying change is a lead change performed by a horse in which he changes leads at the canter while in the air between two strides. It is often seen in dressage, where the horse may do several changes in sequence (tempi changes), in reining as part of the pattern, or in jumping events, where a horse will change lead as it changes direction on the course. A horse is better balanced when he is on the correct lead of the canter, that is to say, the lead which corresponds to the direction in which he is traveling. If he is on the wrong lead, he may be unbalanced and will have a much harder time making turns. Exceptions to this include upper-level dressage, where a horse may be asked for the 'wrong' lead (counter canter) to show obedience and balance. In jumping, the flying change is essential, as a horse on the incorrect lead may become unbalanced in the turn, and then have an unbalanced take-off and may hit a rail. It is also possible that the horse will fall should he be asked to make a tight turn. For show hunters, a horse is penalized for a poor or missed flying change. In show jumping and the eventing jumping phases, the flying change is not judged, but correct leads are recommended should the rider wish to stay balanced enough to jump each fence with the horse's maximum power and agility. Additionally, single changes are asked for in some dressage tests, in the mid-levels of Grand Prix dressage and the upper levels of eventing (dressage phase). These are judged on their smoothness, promptness, and the submission of the horse. Reining competition also judges single changes, which are asked for in the middle of figure-eights. In reining and reined cow horse events, flying lead changes occur as judged elements of a pattern as the horse will exhibit a lead change in each direction of a figure eight pattern. How to perform a lead change In preparation for the changes, the rider rides in 20 meter circle in the left canter. The rider's inside leg (which becomes the new outside leg after the change) is the main aid. The rider moves it slightly behind the girth and pushes the horse's weight over to the right when she wants the change to the right to take place. When your leg asks for the change, the horse will be inclined to quicken. Changing from left to right, the left rein must tell the horse to maintain the same tempo, not to fall onto his shoulders, and to "wait" with his old leading leg. The right rein, meanwhile, must soften to allow the horse to jump through with his "new" inside legs. To avoid restricting the new inside, riders must NOT flex the horse in the direction of the new lead. "Just keep the horse straight with (in this case) the left rein," she says, "and after the change he'll be in the new outside rein," enabling you to ride forward in balance. Exercise: The best way to start and practice the flying lead change is to do lots of figure eights with a pole in the middle. The pole helps to get them elevated enough to switch the hind end. Always start with the cue that you use for the canter take off, outside leg slightly back, inside leg slightly forward. Then, after you can do a canter from a walk in straight line, asking for each lead, move to the figure eights. When your horse crosses the pole, ask for the opposite leg. Once you have the flying changes mastered with the pole, remove the pole, still ask with the opposite leg, slightly lift my inside rein and go. John Bragg Bridgeport Farms, CA http://bridgeportfarms.com