Flying changes

[Twizzel]

I've just come back from my riding lesson and we were working on flying changes. I just couldn't get it right, and was wondering if any of you lot could tell me the aids etc... my hand eye co-ordination is great, but hand-leg co-ordination isn't so good and found it hard doing one thing with my legs and another with my hands, never had that problem before

We went onto putting a jump in the centre of the school and changing legs over that which I could do ok, just really struggled with flying changes with out jumps

Any advice appreciated!!

 

[kerilli]

well, i'm no expert on them, so i guess my trainer kept it very simple for me... it was just change the bend and swing new outside leg back and give light inside leg aid. we did it over a pole on the ground between two wings, and eventually took the pole away but kept the wings, so the horse remembered where it had done them and kept going with the habit, at least till we got the hang of them a bit.
if you want to get more technical about weight, seat bones etc then you go beyond me!

 

[JoJo_]

I was trying to practice counter canter with my new mare tonight cuz we were doing that in my last lesson and she didnt that well a couple times so I thought i'd ask for a flying change too. I think she changed in front but not behind and tried to bronc down the long side then managed to correct herself before the short side. I dont think thats how a flying change is meant to be done lol.

 

[chesterquestgem]

it took me a while to get the timing right but this is what i do;
20mtr circle in counter-canter
when it feels right count three strides, 1st: collect, 2nd: change leg positions, 3rd use new inside leg.
i usually count 1,2,3 out loud so the horse knows whats comming and it is normal for the horse to get a bit over excited at first. if the horse anticipates the changes then maybe give it a few weeks before doing them again.