Changing the leg

[kimky]

i am trying to get my horse to do a flying change correctly but i am having a lot of trouble. As i change the rein in canter e.g. f to h. I ask her to change her leg at X (center shcool) and all she seems to do is bolt as i put my legs on :S. She does change her leg when jumping (jumping a fence on the left lead and landing on to the right lead). But i really need her to do it on the flat. Any tips, help ?

 

[merlinsquest]

Try a pole across the centre so she sort of hops over and hopefully changes at the same time!!!!

Not an educated answer though

 

[Shilasdair]

Try doing the change through a trot transition initially.
S

 

[BarmyC]

i canter on one leg come down the diagonal and go down to trot for 3 strides then ask for canter on the other leg. Then gradually decrease the number of strides in trot

It seems to work for me. I have now progressed to keeping the canter the whole way round.

 

[stencilface]

Read the article from the main page on how to perfect flying changes

Never quite managed it, but he's quite capable when cantering through a twisty woods - all by himself!

 

[Dressagebabe]

Before teaching flying change it is very important that your horse's schooling is at a level that she can physically & mentally cope with them: truely balanced on both reins in all 3 gaits, able to do 'simple changes' and that counter canter is established on both reins too. If you can tick all the boxes then her flying changes should come easily. There are several ways to teach them, ie counter canter on a circle then apply the change aid, Travers on a circle, straighten and then ask for the change, half pass up the 3/4 line and when you reach the track you then ask for the change (this is for a very well established horse with lateral work) or you can do the exercise which I think you have been trying, across the diagonal in a forward balanced canter then just before X check you are sitting up in the middle of your saddle (not leaning or to one side) apply the half halt to hold her slightly then as you are just approaching the other side of X put on your aids for flying change. Hope this helps you.