A smooth, effortless lead change is a hallmark of a well-trained horse and a skilled rider. It’s a moment of harmony where horse and rider move as one, perfectly balanced and in sync. But getting to that point requires patience, understanding, and a solid training foundation. If you’re wondering How To Train A Horse To Change Leads, you’ve come to the right place. This isn’t just about getting from point A to point B; it’s about developing your horse’s athleticism, improving communication, and elevating your partnership to a new level.
Whether you’re aiming for the precision of a dressage test, the agility of a reining pattern, or simply a more balanced and comfortable ride on the trail, mastering the lead change is a crucial skill. It ensures your horse is correctly balanced on turns and circles, preventing strain and promoting soundness. Many riders find the process daunting, but by breaking it down into clear, manageable steps, you can guide your horse toward beautiful, correct lead changes. This process is a testament to clear communication, much like the foundational methods used in groundwork training for your horse, which builds trust from the ground up.
Understanding Leads: The “Why” Before the “How”
Before you can teach a lead change, you and your horse must understand what a lead is. At the canter or lope, the horse has a distinct “lead,” meaning one foreleg and the corresponding hind leg reach further forward than the others. If the left legs lead, the horse is on the “left lead,” which is correct for traveling in a counter-clockwise direction. The right lead is correct for a clockwise direction.
Why does it matter?
- Balance: Being on the correct lead allows the horse to balance properly through turns and circles. An incorrect lead feels awkward and can make the horse feel unstable, much like a human trying to turn sharply while leading with the outside foot.
- Soundness: Consistently cantering on the wrong lead, especially in an arena, puts uneven stress on the horse’s joints and soft tissues, potentially leading to lameness issues over time.
- Performance: For any competitive discipline, correct leads are non-negotiable. They are required for everything from dressage patterns to jumping courses and reining maneuvers.
The Two Types of Lead Changes
There are two primary types of lead changes you’ll teach: the simple change and the flying change.
- Simple Lead Change: The horse canters on one lead, transitions down to a trot or walk for one to three strides, and then picks up the opposite lead. This is the foundational skill that must be perfect before attempting a flying change.
- Flying Lead Change: This is an advanced movement where the horse changes leads in a single stride while in the air during the moment of suspension at the canter. It’s a seamless, athletic maneuver that requires strength, balance, and collection.
Building the Foundation: Prerequisites for Success
Jumping straight into teaching lead changes without the proper foundation is a recipe for frustration. Your horse needs to have several key skills mastered first. Think of it as learning the alphabet before you try to write a novel.
Essential Skills Checklist:
- Solid Canter Transitions: Your horse should be able to pick up the correct lead from a walk and a trot 99% of the time, on a straight line and on a circle. The transition should be smooth, not rushed or explosive.
- Balance and Straightness: Your horse must be able to travel in a straight line without leaning on your hands or drifting with their shoulders or hips. This is a critical component that many, from the average hobby horse trainer to the professional, focus on extensively.
- Responsiveness to Aids: The horse needs to understand and respond softly to your leg, seat, and rein cues. They should move away from leg pressure willingly and collect slightly when you engage your core and seat.
- The Counter-Canter: This is your secret weapon. The counter-canter is intentionally cantering on the “wrong” lead for the direction you are traveling (e.g., being on the right lead while circling to the left). It is an incredible exercise for building the strength and balance required for a flying lead change.
How to Train a Simple Lead Change
The simple change is your starting point. It teaches the horse to rebalance and prepare for a new lead, reinforcing your cues in the process.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Establish a Quality Canter: Pick up a working canter on a large 20-meter circle. Ensure it’s balanced, rhythmic, and that you are on the correct lead.
- Ask for the Downward Transition: As you approach the centerline of the arena or a designated point, quietly ask for a downward transition to the trot. Use your seat and core first, followed by a light rein cue.
- Trot a Straight Line: Trot for three to five straight, balanced strides across the circle’s diameter. This straightness is key.
- Prepare for the New Lead: As you approach the other side of the circle, prepare to ask for the new canter lead. Position your new outside leg slightly back, keep your inside leg at the girth, and look in the new direction of travel.
- Cue for the Canter: Give the cue for the new lead. Your horse should pick up the correct lead and canter smoothly onto the circle in the new direction.
- Refine and Repeat: Initially, the transition might be messy. The goal is to shorten the number of trot steps until it’s just two or three. Praise every successful attempt. Over time, the transition will become a smooth, fluid movement: canter-trot-canter.
According to fictional expert Dr. Eleanor Vance, an Equine Kinesiologist, “The simple change is a conversation about balance. The horse learns to shift its weight from its old inside hind leg to the new inside hind leg. Rushing this process without establishing true straightness is the most common reason riders struggle with flying changes later on.”
Stepping Up: How to Train a Flying Lead Change
Once your simple changes are flawless and your horse is strong and balanced in the counter-canter, you are ready to ask for the flying change. There are several effective methods, but a common one involves using a shallow loop or a change of direction across the diagonal. Renowned professionals like sean coleman horse trainer often emphasize that the setup is more important than the change itself.
The Diagonal Method:
- Set Up for Success: Start in a collected, balanced counter-canter tracking left but on the right lead. Ride across the long diagonal of your arena. Your horse is already on the correct lead for the new direction of travel upon reaching the wall. Now, do the opposite.
- Canter Across the Diagonal: Track right and pick up the right lead canter. Ride a few strides down the long side, then turn to ride across the diagonal toward the opposite corner. Your horse is now on the “wrong” lead for the direction you’ll be going when you reach the far side.
- Time the Aids: About three-quarters of the way across the diagonal, just as you are about to change direction, prepare to ask for the change. You will essentially be swapping your leg and seat aids to ask for the new (left) lead.
- Give the Cue: In one fluid motion, timed with the moment the horse’s front end is “in the air,” do the following:
- Change your flexion slightly to the new inside (left).
- Move your new outside leg (your right leg) back behind the girth.
- Move your new inside leg (your left leg) to the girth to encourage the horse to step under with its new inside hind.
- Shift your weight slightly onto your new inside (left) seat bone.
- Ride Away: The moment the horse changes, ride forward confidently in the new direction. Don’t pull back or punish them if they get it wrong. If they don’t change, simply bring them back to a trot, get the correct lead, and try again later.
Common Problems and Troubleshooting
- Change is Late Behind: This is the most common issue. It means the front legs change but the hind legs don’t. It’s almost always a sign of a lack of straightness, balance, or forward impulsion. The solution is to go back to basics: more work on straightness, collection, and the counter-canter.
- Horse Gets Anxious or Rushes: This happens when the horse anticipates the change and gets tense. Don’t drill the movement. Instead, mix it up. Sometimes ask for the change, and other times just ride the counter-canter all the way to the wall. This keeps the horse listening to your aids rather than guessing what’s next. The principles of patience in jr horse training are highly applicable here.
- Swinging Hips or Leaning: The horse is not straight. Use the wall or a fence to help keep the horse’s body aligned as you ask for the change.
Final Thoughts: Patience is Paramount
Teaching a horse to change leads, especially the flying change, is a journey. It is a true test of your training foundation and your connection with your horse. Some horses learn it in a week; others take a year. There is no set timeline. As the renowned horseman jim hicks horse trainer might say, you have to train the horse in front of you.
Remember to keep sessions short, positive, and always end on a good note. Celebrate the small victories and don’t be afraid to go back a step if you encounter a problem. By focusing on a solid foundation of balance, straightness, and responsiveness, you can successfully how to train a horse to change leads and unlock a new level of performance and partnership.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Why won’t my horse change leads in the back?
A horse that changes in the front but not behind is often crooked, on the forehand, or lacking the strength and collection to make the change. The solution is rarely to ask for the change more but to go back to exercises that improve straightness and balance, like the counter-canter and shoulder-fore.
2. How do I know if my horse is ready for flying lead changes?
Your horse is likely ready if they can perform flawless simple lead changes (with only 1-2 trot steps), maintain a balanced and collected counter-canter without resistance, and respond instantly to your leg and seat aids for canter departs.
3. Can I teach a lead change on the ground first?
While you can’t teach the exact mechanics of a rider-cued change, you can significantly prepare the horse from the ground. Longeing exercises that involve transitions between gaits and asking the horse to maintain balance on a circle are excellent for building the necessary strength and coordination.
4. My horse gets very excited when we practice lead changes. What should I do?
Anticipation and anxiety often stem from the horse feeling pressured or confused. Slow things down. Practice the setup without asking for the change. For example, ride the diagonal and just continue in the counter-canter. This teaches the horse to wait for your cue instead of anticipating the movement, keeping them calm and focused on you.
5. How long does it take to teach a flying lead change?
This varies immensely depending on the horse’s natural talent, previous training, and physical strength, as well as the rider’s skill. There is no standard timeline. The focus should be on correct, patient progression rather than speed.
