Train for
Western Riding
Lesson 7
Copyright Ó 2009
A
Closer Look at the Lead Change
The
lead change may be one of the hardest maneuvers you have tried to perform, so
be patient; you will succeed.
When
teaching lead changes, start by asking for only one change in each direction,
then stopping for the day.
When
you are getting one change in each direction without any fuss, ask for two. You
may be stuck on two for a few days or a few weeks, but don’t hurry - get them
right.
Then
you can ask for three changes in each direction. If that goes good, then tomorrow
you can ask for more. You’ll have to be the one to decide how many you ask for,
and when. There is no way to put a time frame on this stage — it depends on the
horse and on you.
A
horse will tell you when she is ready to add more changes. When she gives you
no argument about making a change, makes it on cue and pretty smoothly, then
she is ready for several changes in a row.
Usually
when you can get six changes each way without problems, you can change as many
times as you like.
Making
Good Changes
As
you start to do more changes, make sure you give the horse plenty of room so
she can change on a straight line.
Always
change on straight lines. You can change directions before or after a change,
but you should always be straight on the approach and on the exit as well. Keep
her straight for at least two strides in and two strides out before veering
off.
If
you have two straight strides on the approach and two on the exit, you will
avoid dropping the shoulders during the change.
If
you should run out of room and have to turn, don’t make a change. Instead counter-canter through the turn or
stop.
There
can be no excuses here: make changes only on straight lines.
One
key tip I can give you here is to watch where you are going - don’t look down
at your horse. You won’t be able to see where you are going, and most times you
will run out of room and have to duck to the side quickly – a big no-no.
Never
turn your horse sharply to force a change.
This
may make the horse change, but it ignores all of the work you have done to
position the horse properly for a smooth, elegant change.
At
one time or another, every horse will try to anticipate changes. If you horse
tries to change on her own, do not accept the change. She
must learn to change on your command, not her desire.
Every
horse will anticipate a change on occasion. It doesn’t mean they are being bad
– they must simply learn to wait for your command. When this happens, stop the
horse and go back into the original lead immediately. This entails more work
for her than just loping along, so if she has to do it several times she’ll
soon tire of it and will be happy to wait for you to ask for the change.