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Member
Posts: 10
| I just want to see what everyones advice and thoughts are...
I've got a 4yr old that has the pattern down to a 'T' except the fact of changing leads from the first to the second (with more speed). He's really figured out that he can run and thats all he wants to do. Not switching leads until he gets to his second is starting to set him up wrong for the second. I'm willing to try any exercises that helps him in any way. |
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 A Barrel Of Monkeys
Posts: 12972
   
Location: Texas | I always do lead work off the pattern, using a foot cue (left foot for right barrel first). Then working slowly, go around the first barrel, overturn it a little and cue for the left lead. Get this down perfect before adding more speed. |
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 Born not Made
Posts: 2931
Location: North Dakota | I feel like there is a point in training where they just need to figure it out on their own. When they are still learning, I will break them down and switch them to the correct lead, but there just comes a time when they have to do it themselves. I try to make my horses as self- sufficient as possible.
My horse Red had a hell of a time figuring it out. I swear it took him forever.
Shotgun had no problem from day one. Was just a natural to switching his lead by himself.
Some just take to it easier than others.
So I would say if it's time for your horse to figure it out, let him figure it out.
Just as something else to do, have you taken your horse through the pole pattern? Might help make him more proficient with switching leads with minimal guidance from you.
You could also set up random gymkhana pattersn in the arena, and don't worry about being "correct". Go to a barrel or cone or pole and then ask them to turn. Pretty soon, they'll figure out what lead they need to be on for whatever side you are approaching. Again, not with the idea of being perfect or correct -- but just trying to teach the horse to learn to be on the lead they need to be on.
Edited by r_beau 2018-01-02 4:29 PM
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12838
| This might help you. My trainer on my horse.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JubG-PdDtlU
Sale video. Sold the horse years ago. |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| r_beau - 2018-01-02 4:26 PM
I feel like there is a point in training where they just need to figure it out on their own. When they are still learning, I will break them down and switch them to the correct lead, but there just comes a time when they have to do it themselves. I try to make my horses as self- sufficient as possible.
My horse Red had a hell of a time figuring it out. I swear it took him forever.
Shotgun had no problem from day one. Was just a natural to switching his lead by himself.
Some just take to it easier than others.
So I would say if it's time for your horse to figure it out, let him figure it out.
Just as something else to do, have you taken your horse through the pole pattern? Might help make him more proficient with switching leads with minimal guidance from you.
You could also set up random gymkhana pattersn in the arena, and don't worry about being "correct". Go to a barrel or cone or pole and then ask them to turn. Pretty soon, they'll figure out what lead they need to be on for whatever side you are approaching. Again, not with the idea of being perfect or correct -- but just trying to teach the horse to learn to be on the lead they need to be on.
I agree 100%. There is not enough time on a run to have to cue for leads.
I break them down during slow work and change. Off the pattern I don’t worry so much about teaching a flying change, but I want them to be able to do a 1 or 2 step simple change so it’s not a big deal between the barrels. If they’re balanced in their turns and starting to anticipate you asking for the change in slow work they should figure it out pretty quick... |
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 Expert
Posts: 1343
Location: Oklahoma | I have trained two dozen or so barrel horses and NEVER had a problem with leads until now. That being said, my current horse was a reiner and she literally refuses to change between the first and second barrel unless I cue her. I'm thinking it is because of the reining training. She is just running in the 4 or 5D and only been entered a couple of times, so right now I have time in a run to cue her, but I am darn sure hoping she will start doing it on her own as she gets faster. Now she has had a sore SI and I had that injected so I question if that may be a part of it, but really I think it's just her. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 629
| When patterning my mare I put a ground pole about a horse length distance coming out of the 1st barrel. I would stop her at the ground pole and ask her to pick up the other lead. Eventually, I quit asking her to stop, and eventually I removed the ground pole. Now she switches leaving the 1st ever time. |
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  Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | I got out in a big field and ask for a nice circle and then break them down, cue like I would on the pattern for a different lead and either do a circle or maybe only a half circle and break them back down and ask for a different lead. In a field you have alot of room and pretty soon they can switch leads back and forth, just keep your cues consistant-just like you would from 1st to 2nd. Mine eventually go off body position to set up for the lead change/turn. |
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Switching leads