Teaching a horse flying changes

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appaloosacaz

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I have been trying to teach my horse to do flying changes, I have been using a pole in the middle of the school, collecting up, half-halting before the pole, over exaggerating the bend and leg commands and trying to make him change the lead. This really hasn't been working out for us really, we have an established counter canter, what sort of exercises can I do to teach him how do do a flying change? In the jumping, he always decides what lead to go on, no matter what I do. He is a well muscled horse, so should have the physical capabilities.

Thank you
 
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hi if you can get an established working walk - canter or halt - canter i would work on that over the diagonals 1st but make them very quick transitions then start adding the pole in again and really push for it with your aid a lighter seat always helps and they need loads of power to do it. :)
 
not much help, but i think it's much harder to teach if you have established counter canter!

as poster suggests, try getting very established simple changes before you ask for a flying. i think there are some good videos on you tube, but can't remember the riders name!

sorry
 
Work on lots of simple Canter -Walk - Canter transitions, lessening the 'walk' period.

The horse will being to anticipate them, and as he does, introduce the aids for the change.

If he does it, big pats, if not, quick second to re group and try again.
 
My boy used to do flying changes when he was young to be naughty and get away from me. Years went on and we had a very established counter canter. Would he change..no way! I couldn't even get counter canter on the track - he thought my riding was crap and he knew what was the right lead if you were near the fence....no fence near, he listened perfectly. The downsides to an over intelligent horse.
Sorry - just having a trip down memory lane.....
 
Are you using the pole across the diagonal or going from B to E? I think the latter helps in that the horse 'gets' that he's going to have to turn rather than carry on straight for a bit then just counter canter. So ride a figure of eight with two definite circles to it.
You could start this as others have suggested with simple changes then reduce to a flying change over time.
 
Your weight will play a big part when going over the pole - look in the direction you want the bend for and ask as you go over the pole - raise it slightly so you have a 'jump' into it, and then once you've got it go back to a pole, and then remove entirely...
 
Jenni_ said:
Work on lots of simple Canter -Walk - Canter transitions, lessening the 'walk' period.

The horse will being to anticipate them, and as he does, introduce the aids for the change.

If he does it, big pats, if not, quick second to re group and try again.
Click to expand...

Similar here, I changed lead through trot and worked on lessening the trot strides until there were none. Never used poles.
 
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