LEARNING LEAD CHANGES

Whether simple or flying, learn to do lead changes correctly.

- SAMANTHA TURNER

Riders of all ages will agree that leads and lead changes are one of the trickiest parts about jumping coursework. Even if you're great at finding your distances and keeping your horse or pony balanced at the jumps, it can be difficult to stay organized without having him on the proper lead. Lead changes are also an important part of dressage tests and equitation and reining patterns.

FEEL YOUR LEAD

The first step to being successful with your lead changes is to be able to identify when you are on the wrong lead. Start by looking at your horse's inside shoulder the same way you would look at the outside shoulder for your diagonal. In the same way, you're looking for the leg that is reaching farther forward than the other. You may need to compare both of your horse's shoulders to see the difference, which is totally fine.

From there, the next step is to practice feeling the lead you're on without looking down. With your seat in the saddle, you'll feel the canter stride moving like a wave underneath you. On the correct lead, the wave will start with the outside hind leg and end in the inside front leg. On the wrong lead, the wave will start with the inside hind leg and end in the outside front leg.

Within a few strides on the wrong lead, you should be able to feel that your horse is unbalanced. It may even feel like he is pushing himself away from the arena fence.