Fix Your Flying Lead Change
Horse and Rider|Summer 2024
Before kicking your horse into a lope and asking for a change of lead, you need to take time to have the fundamentals in place to be able to isolate the body parts of your horse individually and together to properly execute a flying lead change.
CODY CROW, WITH NICHOLE CHIRICO
Fix Your Flying Lead Change

If you don't, your horse is more likely to run off when you cue him to change leads or get really pushy in your hand and leg and ignore your cues all together.

This is why I break down each part of the lead change when I'm at the walk to check in with my horse and make sure his body position is where it needs to be to successfully change leads. Once I can do this drill at a walk, I'm going to bump my horse up to a trot and test his body control there. It's only after I have the body control I need at a walk and trot that I will attempt a flying lead change.

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