This week in lessons: flying changes & a new challenge

This week in lessons we will be working on lead changes. Advanced horses/riders will work on flying changes, while the less able horses and/or more novice riders will do simple changes. We actually worked on lead changes over the skinny pole two weeks ago when we were jumping the figure of eight, but this type we will do it with intent!

What is a lead change? A lead change is the horse changing from one canter lead to the other. There are two types of lead changes: Flying and Simple changes. In a flying change the horse maintains a canter and changes from one lead to the other without breaking the canter gait. In a simple change the horse is brought back to a trot or walk (or in Rocket's case a pace...), rebalanced, and then the other lead is picked up. Dressage uses the transition to walk as it requires balance and collection and will help with developing a dressage suitable flying change, whereas when jumping, a simple change will be through trot as it is less likely to take away the forward momentum.

Why is it important? In dressage, flying changes are required starting at 3rd level as a test of training and ability. For jumping, being on the correct lead around the horse will help the horse be better balanced through the turns. In hunters this is judged, and a horse going around on the wrong lead, or even worse, disunited, will be heavily penalized (although the ideal in jumpers is to have the horse land the correct leads as it looks smoother). In jumpers this is not judged, so some riders may allow the horse to be on the "wrong" lead if that is the lead it is stronger on.

(disunited is when the horse is on two different leads on the front end vs the back end)

Dressage vs Jumping lead changes:

A dressage flying lead change is born out of collection with the horse able to "skip" from one lead to the other through increases suspension. The foot falls going from left lead to right lead would be:
RH/LH+RF/LF, (moment of increased suspension), LH/RH+LF/RF, so the horse sort of skips on the LH. This requires the horse to have good strength in its haunches as well as enough time in the air (suspension) to be able to swap the hind legs around.

A hunter flying change is different as the horse needs to maintain a forward flow, and the same amount of precision is not needed. Although some horses will still do their flying change with the same footfalls as for a dressage change, it is also possible for them to take a stride or two to complete the change without  penalty by a judge. A typical flying change for a hunter will involve the front end changing first, and the hind end changing the very next stride. This is the kind of lead change we will be working on this week.

Here are some examples of horses schooling flying changes using the methods we will be using. Both these horses are new to flying changes.

Izzy Flying changes with a ground pole to assist
Coregel flying changes without poles to help.

With both horses I am trying to get the lead change before the corner, but still using the approaching wall/corner to help set them up. I am also trying to be light on their backs to encourage the increased suspension, and not worrying too much if they get quick, as this will also help them achieve the lead change.

Please note, there are many ways to school flying changes and this is just one of them!

Aids I am using for the left to right lead change:

Turning across the diagonal with as straight a horse as possible (through the neck), I am light in my seat, but have a fair bit of right leg back and on, similar to how I would ask for a leg yield to the left. If I do get a bit of sideways motion that is fine. As I get to the pole (or second quarterline if not using a pole), I swap and put my right leg on/back and may give take with my new inside hand/rein, but again, the aids are similar to a leg yield, only this time to the right. Important the neck stays mostly straight!

I make sure to focus on the goal (flying change) and if my horse gets a little quick I am ok with that. If using a pole I WANT the long if there is an option as they are more likely to stretch into the change this way.

Now...the test...can anyone tell me why using a pole is unlikely to get you a "true" lead change?

Answer: If you watch the videos, you can see that for other that Coregel's last try, both horses are getting the change in the front first, and then catching up with the hind end. The pole encourages this as the suspension created is first created in the front as the horse goes over the pole, then the hind end. (Coregel is doing this despite the pole as it is easier and requires less hind end strength) This would be completely acceptable in the hunters, but a low score for dressage. Still, it gives the horse an idea of what is expected and useful for teaching either discipline.


Now for simple changes through trot:

When trying for a simple change through trot, make sure your horse comes back to a clear two beat trot, rebalance, change the bend, and ask for the new lead. Do not let the horse rush or anticipate, and if they start to, then just keep trotting. Simple changes through trot are acceptable in low level hunter competitions, although the equal round with flying changes or landed leads will usually win. What you want to avoid though, is the horse that is thinking simple change in every corner, as if the horse is thinking "Trot" it would be creating the suspension and forward needed for a flying change (think of Rocket or Spencer)

For the new challenge this week we will be doing a "make your own course challenge". This will be timed using poles and jumps, with rider's needing to come up with the best/quickest way for their horse to complete the horse. Trying to help rider's think logically and assess their horse's weaknesses and strengths as well as their own.

(last week's challenge was only achieved by two horse/rider combinations; Laureen with Percy and Amber with Kokanee!)

Karen