I have started jumping low jumps with the horse I'm riding, and there is a big problem. Most of the time he lands and starts cantering on the wrong lead. I have to stop him and get him to start cantering again. This is a problem because I am going to start showing, and I might lease him.
Thanks!
2007-03-14 12:33:29 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Horse Racing
He is not a young horse, he is 15. My riding instructor told me that he does not do flying lead changes.
2007-03-14 12:36:28 · update #1
I'm just learning too, so I haven't tried this, but my instructor has told me that there's something you can do with the reins as you cross the jump to get the horse to get the correct lead on the landing. I think she said pull on the outside rein. And I think it might help if you put your outside leg on, just like you would when you start the canter from a walk or trot.
Actually I don't think this matters as much as you think it does... while jumping a course, lots of people do simple lead changes, especially in the lower levels. It's better if you can do flying changes, but you and your horse will learn them eventually. Just back off to the trot for a step and ask him for the correct lead... I know it's easier if you get it right away or if the horse can change without backing off to the trot, but the simple change is a lot easier than controlling which lead you have on the landing. I think it's really best to start with the simple changes for now... but you can try the thing with the reins and legs if you want... see which one works better for you.
2007-03-14 15:09:57 · answer #1 · answered by kmnmiamisax 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ok well you are thinking of leasing him, so it is really not a huge deal - he is not your horse. When you purchase one of your own you will know to look for these type of things.
For a horse to land on the correct lead after a fence it has to be set up way before you even jump the fence. This means your approach, your stride, hitting the correct take off spot, all of this has A LOT to do with your horses leads. Your eyes must be up, and before you take that fence you must be looking at your next obstacle. If there is not a next obstacle, then make up one - the far left side of the ring, or the tree in the distance. If you want him to land on the left lead your eyes are to the left. I always found that in the same manner of asking for your left lead canter, think the same way mid-air. Your eyes are to the left at your next obstacle, move your right leg slightly behind the girth, shorten your right rein, give a little in your left rein, and ask for it. Another practice would be to trot small (2' fences or so) and land cantering. Set up one fence and continue around and around. Switch directions - left lead twice, one right. He will pick it up, but at his age he is set in his ways, and you are going to have to work to make it happen. Believe me though it is well worth it!!!
2007-03-15 02:00:57 · answer #2 · answered by SuzyQ 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would work him in figure eights to teach him to do a flying change and I think as long as he doesn't know how to do a flying change,he will always have this problem.
we teach horses to be left footed as we do everything from the nearside so a horse almost always tends to lead on that leg.
work him in large circles in both directions and then after he is comfortable going both ways,start doing the figure 8s.
You could also take your low jumps at an angle so that he is turning in a circle as he is going over them.
If you put your jump in the middle of your figure 8 he would be leading on one leg for one jump then the other leg for the opposite direction.
A lot of patience will be required and don't get mad with him,be kind and show him what you want and he will do it
2007-03-14 22:20:10 · answer #3 · answered by Rough 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give him a carrot every time he does it right..
2007-03-14 21:00:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 7⤋