Teaching flying changes

[Flying_Form]

Currently have a horse that I have just taught flying changes to - he had no idea how to do them and would only change every now and then, but now he can do it when asked during flatwork (no soundness issues, or other issues that might stop him - he’s been a hacking horse for a lot of his life so I don’t think there was a need for him to do them much!).

The reason I wanted to do it was that when jumping he would always have to come back to trot if on the wrong lead so I thought his flatwork would translate to his jumping but I think he’s just so buzzy when he’s jumping that he’s not really listening to me asking him for the change as he’s so excited for the next fence.

Does anyone have any ideas/exercises I could do with him to help instill the flatwork flying changes in his very very exciting jumping - or is it just a matter of time and patience!

 

[J&S]

Work on a figure of 8 with poles on the ground to take the excitement of a fence/fences out of the equation. It should come naturally with changes in direction and riders weight aids. Gradually biuld up small fences.

 

[QueenT]

As above, figure 8s max cavaletti height. Practice putting your stirrup weight into the new lead in-air - your aim is to land in correct lead, not change it.