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I have just started cantering in horseback riding. I keep forgetting to ask my instructor, so I was just gonna see if anyone knew on here. Thanks everybody!!

You will find this advanced maneuver is not so easily answered in text, but I shall do my best to explain the basics of a lead change.

First of all a horse should be picking up the correct and counter lead when asked 100% of the time and should be able to perform simple lead changes before even attempting a flying lead change.

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Sure, you might get lucky and accomplish it, but it will be far from correct. Anyway, the horse and rider should be balanced at the walk, trot, canter and should have mastered basic to advanced body control. When I say this I mean the horse willingly moves his shoulders, ribs, and hips. He should also understand vertical and lateral flexion as well as how to bend his body. Not to mention must grasp the concept of rounding the back and driving underneath themselves with the hindquarters (aka collection).

Sound simple? Think again for this is merely the foundation that equestrians use to build a flawless flying or interrupted lead change.

You must also understand the rhythm of a canter. The correct execution of his gait is three beats. Next time you watch a horse canter or lope, take a close look at how his legs move. When transitioning into the canter going to the left the horse first strikes off with the right hind hoof, then the left hind and the right fore move in unison, and lastly the left fore finishes the stride (and this is your left lead). When going to the right the horse’s left hind hoof begins the stride, followed by the right hind and left fore moving in unison, then lastly the right fore finishing the stride (hence your right read).

Make sense?

Before you can think about a flying lead change you must understand the biomechanics of the horse and what it takes to reach that level of performance. Without this you will find your horse picking up wrong leads, cross-cantering, and not picking up the leads correctly on all four legs. I could continue rambling on, but it’s getting late so I’m afraid I’m going to sum up lead changes in a nut shell.

It’s all about hip control. Think back on how all of your canter departures start on that hind left or right hoof. If I shift my horse’s hip to the left and squeeze my right leg he is prepared to pick up the left lead. If I shift my horse’s hip to the right and squeeze with the left leg he is prepared to pick up the right lead. When you squeeze your leg against the side you are not just asking for impulsion to the canter. You are actually asking for your horse to tilt his hip towards the inside of the arena AND then DRIVE that outside hind to pick up the inside lead.

So that goes back to cantering and simple lead changes. We haven’t even touched flying lead changes. Hopefully I gave you enough to mentally chew on till you’re trainer thinks you’re ready. Chances are,… if she hasn’t mentioned it yet it’s for a reason. Don’t get in a rush, or else you’ll skip steps. Training horses and riders is like building a house… first you have to pour the cement and lay a foundation before you can start building up to the more complex stuff.

ETA: Oh, and I forgot to mention. You do not want a horse that swaps or changes leads automatically. Think on your competitions, disciplines such as Dressage, Hunt Seat Equitation, Western Horsemanship, Western Riding, Reining. Flying lead changes and counter canters are commonplace. You will get penalized if your horse assume he needs to pick up the inside lead every time or if your horse anticipates when the lead change needs to occur. A well trained horse should wait quietly until the cue is given.

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