How can i teach my horse flying lead changes?
First and foremost – can the horse do lead changes and pick up both its leads? Watch the horse in the pasture and try free lunging it. He HAS to be able to pick up both leads and do flying lead changes in the pasture without a rider. If he can’t do them in the pasture – then you have a problem. It could be a medical problem. He may or may not ever be able to be a barrel horse. Barrel horses MUST be able to do lead changes – otherwise, they are REALLY out of balance and would really have a difficult time at being successful in barrel races. Next – if all is okay in the pasture and it’s just a training problem. I would go back to a snaffle bit. Teach him to trot circles with the correct bend (to the inside). They shouldn’t shoulder in – as that’s how we knock barrels. They also have a difficult time picking up leads when they aren’t having the correct bend. Once the horse bends nicely in both directions at the walk and trot – try to pick up the leads in a circle. Most horses do it easies
