1st barrel and lead changes

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1st barrel and lead changes Moderators: luluwhit, gotothewhip, cindyt, crossspur, ForumAdmin Jump to page :	Last activity 2015-07-31 1:48 PM 5 replies, 2827 views View previous thread :: View next thread
General Discussion -> Barrel Talk


SuperTrooper Reg. Feb 2009	Posted 2015-07-30 8:35 PM Subject: 1st barrel and lead changes
Elite Veteran Posts: 911 Location: Northern Ontario	So, I am teaching my 4 yr old the pattern and she is starting to like it and turn awesome. I have to push her a little past the barrel and then turn because she wants to rate and turn so much. Typical lazy type mare. Anyway, here is my problem. She knows her leads (simple changes). She lopes on correct lead to first. I have been slowing her down to a trot after first to get her to switch leads.... it works well and she switches after first. She is a smart mare so now she doesnt fire so hard around 1 because she know I will slow her down to switch so she trots leaving the barrel. I fixed that by getting her to push off and turn circle around 1. Problem fixed, she turns 1 well and pushes off for 2. Nope! Now she doesnt switch leads! So how to I fix it? Will she eventually figure out to switch? Or I should keep breakjng her down to a trot after 1 and push her to finish her 1st barrel before I do? I dont know if this post makes any sense lol
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streakysox Reg. Jul 2008	Posted 2015-07-30 11:20 PM Subject: RE: 1st barrel and lead changes
Take a Picture Posts: 12842	Keep breaking down to a trot till it comes natural to her.
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alp341 Reg. Jan 2010	Posted 2015-07-31 9:29 AM Subject: RE: 1st barrel and lead changes
Veteran Posts: 212	some people say to switch immediatly leaving first some say halfway across the pen some say right at the second.. I am no trainer but have you tried seeing where she would switch on her own if you didnt make her... Or does she just not switch at all?
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SuperTrooper Reg. Feb 2009	Posted 2015-07-31 11:25 AM Subject: RE: 1st barrel and lead changes
Elite Veteran Posts: 911 Location: Northern Ontario	If i break her down to a trot...she switches pretty much right away. If I dont, she doesnt switch at all and will even turn the 2nd on the wrong lead...... I tried that to see if making it harder would make her wanna switch before, but I think she would ne pretty happy loping them on the wrong lead!
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FlyingHigh1454 Reg. Oct 2013	Posted 2015-07-31 11:32 AM Subject: RE: 1st barrel and lead changes
Elite Veteran Posts: 1131	Do you cue her to change even when you are loping? Eventually they will learn the flying lead changes if you cue for it in the same spot where you were breaking her down. Break her down, and really cue for the lead, then that will transfer over to when they are loping so you barely or don't have to cue at all. Young horses tend to lope on the wrong lead a lot more comfortably than older horses. I've found that on poles on the 3yo I'm training. He likes to switch backwards so he is always on the wrong lead.... He's a bit of a dork too though. haha We chalk it up to just him not knowing where to put his feet. Keep correcting it and they will eventually muscle memory it and do it immediately.
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r_beau Reg. Apr 2010	Posted 2015-07-31 1:48 PM Subject: RE: 1st barrel and lead changes
Born not Made Posts: 2937 Location: North Dakota	SuperTrooper - 2015-07-31 11:25 AM If i break her down to a trot...she switches pretty much right away. If I dont, she doesnt switch at all and will even turn the 2nd on the wrong lead...... I tried that to see if making it harder would make her wanna switch before, but I think she would ne pretty happy loping them on the wrong lead! Red did this when I was training him. It took him awhile but he eventually figured it out. I believe there comes a time when the colt just needs to figure it out for themselves. Thankfully, my current colt is a lead changing machine and has no issues with it.
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