Lessons this week

In lessons this week we will be working on the flying lead changes again...as long as the horses aren't too peppy to handle it!

We will start by reviewing the basic aids we used two weeks ago (refer to blog from two weeks ago if you need to!), and then we will be using that same premise to ask for the lead changes after a jump.

On the flat, we will be asking for our canter depart on the quarter line rather than along the wall or in a corner, to ensure that we are properly setting our horses up for the correct lead. To set your horse up correctly, you want to make sure you have them slightly bent/positioned around an active inside leg at the girth, you want them lighter off the inside rein (give and take with fingers NOT arms to create this lightness in conjunction with active leg), while reaching into a following outside rein. Then outside leg comes back as the horse is about to step down with its outside hind leg so that it strikes off on the correct lead.

It can help to time the aids if you post on the correct diagonal if trotting. If sitting (trot or walk), you want to ask for the canter as you feel your outside hip dropping.

Karen