Patterns to help with correct leads

[Horse Crazy 2007]

Do you know any patterns that i could do to help my horse work on picking up the correct lead. he's really bad at picking them up and we need to work on the correct leads so do you have any helpful hints... kk

[Barrelbabe_23]

Well when your posting if you notice he is on the incorrect lead bonce/sit in the saddle for 2 seconds and he should be on the correct lead if not do it again! :D

[saddleseatsweetie]

sorry barrelbabe thats a diagonal a lead is at the canter
make sure you bend your horse a lot before hand and check right away, if its wrong immediately stop him and try again, circles help a lot.
a horse that is bent properly its impossible to take the wrong lead you might need to carry a crop and keep it on the outside because if the horse isnt wanting to bend then you may need to tap them on the butt with the crop to get them to bend also make sure you are using your outside leg if its the inside then it will always be the wrong lead

[saddleseatsweetie]

once he starts getting the correct lead better if you are in a good space close your eyes(without checking the lead first) and see if you can feel if its the correct lead, the correct one will feel like its pulling on your inside hip more than the outside one, you can do the same with diagonals too, correct diagonal should feel like its pushing you out of the saddle

[Barrelbabe_23]

its not just at a canter when you trot/jog the right leg is when you go up and when your posting and you notice that the horse or you is on the incorrect lead you sit/bounce for 2 sec and the horse should be on the correct lead but if not then you do it again.

[StarGirl]

Barrel babe, thats a diagonal, not a lead.

Also, to the original poster, figure eights help a lot. :D

[Barrelbabe_23]

I know I am just saying it a correct lead for a diagnal....

[Wild Horsefeathers]

barrelbabe, this is the western board. We dont post at the jog. ;)

[Barrelbabe_23]

I know that.I didnt know that until you told me(I dont bother looking...lol)

[HorseDayz11]

Try eights. When doing eights, he has to change his lead each time he is in the middle. Canter him though. Big eights, give him a chance to be able to change leads. Also, try to do it fifteen minutes a day. Hope that helps.

[silverleprichuan]

If he's getting the wrong lead consistantly it is either
a) pain issue
b) he is not strong enough
c) the rider is throwing him off

[alliekk]

I agree with silver, though in your case it could just be inexperience on both your parts. ask a friend with a well trained horse if you can ride it and get the feel of how he "takes off."

another problem he could be having is incorrect positioning when taking off. don't let him lean into the circle (if that is what you use to help with leads). practice your leg yields and serpentines to get him loosened up and make sure he is warmed up properly.

when you ask him to lope off (after making sure he is paying attention to your leg yields) bring up your inside rein so he cant lean on the bit and slightly move his head towards the rail (ask him to turn his hip into the center of the arena) and push your heel down as far as it will stretch down the stirrup, put your heel on him when its as far down as it will go, and roll it up into his side. I prefer to do it that way because I don't like using spurs if I don't have to. if you have a strong heel you shouldn't have to use spurs.

also, be careful with repeating circles, horses have a bad habit of anticipating. if you just do a figure 8 over and over again then the horse will automatically assume he has to break down to a trot and pick up the other lead. this is NO GOOD because then he will get confused when you want to keep moving in that circle.

hope this helps, sorry for the novel!!!

[srelmer]

One thing that could really help you, is a video by Al Dunning called "Reining for the Rider". This is a fabulous video for anyone, even if you aren't into reining. Leads and Lead changes are insanely important in the reining world, so there is some great information included in this video. I got it at one of his clinics and it helped so much that I got his his training a champion from his website at www.aldunnungsadtack.com . I think the reining for the rider was like 40 bucks. Best money I ever spent. I am getting back into reining after a long sabatical, and was having some lead change issues. This has helped me more than I can say.

[DixieGirl]

Barrel babe, thats a diagonal, not a lead.

Also, to the original poster, figure eights help a lot. :D

I agree with StarGirl on the Figure Eights!! :)

[jayeloveschloe]

Have you tried pushing him over one or two strides with your inside leg before your departure? This would take pressure off his outside hind, enabling him to step through with the correct first canter/lope step. I myself have had success with that, but good luck with whatever methods you try!

[Skip_n_Hide]

sorry barrelbabe thats a diagonal a lead is at the canter
make sure you bend your horse a lot before hand and check right away, if its wrong immediately stop him and try again, circles help a lot.
a horse that is bent properly its impossible to take the wrong lead you might need to carry a crop and keep it on the outside because if the horse isnt wanting to bend then you may need to tap them on the butt with the crop to get them to bend also make sure you are using your outside leg if its the inside then it will always be the wrong lead

I agree... I find these techniques do help... :D