[Cami1230]

My girl is 2 yrs old and we just started our flying lead change and she's seemed to have picked up a nasty habit. Today when we practiced them the moment she would change leads she would gimme a bronco ride! Every single time! She would do one stride and then put her head down and start goin nuts!! My trainer says she'll grow outta it but for tomorrow we're going to be switching her bit from a full cheek to a 'kimberwik' (sp?) Any suggestions?

[imjustjoking22]

I'm not sure a 2 year old should be doing leg changes at all- your horse needs a lot of strength to be doing those, and it is stressful at that young age.

And PLEASE do not just change to a harsher bit- you should be training your young horse to be soft, supple, and relaxed- in ANY discipline.

I say back off and wait at *least* another year or two until you train lead changes.

[taydajumper93]

Originally Posted by imjustjoking22

I'm not sure a 2 year old should be doing leg changes at all- your horse needs a lot of strength to be doing those, and it is stressful at that young age.

And PLEASE do not just change to a harsher bit- you should be training your young horse to be soft, supple, and relaxed- in ANY discipline.

I say back off and wait at *least* another year or two until you train lead changes.

I agree with you 100%

[Cami1230]

Thank you. Another reason why we were changing the bit was because she kept pulling on it and putting her head down. I see what you're saying though.

[HUS_WP_lovr]

I agree, I'm not sure why you are doing lead changes at 2.

You really need to get a better foundation before pushing her for more advanced manuevers.

If you switch her bit at all make it a lighter less harsh bit such as a plain d-ring.Switching her bit is not going to fix your problem. Kimberwickes come in different types but their main thing is they have some curb action because of the leverage. Your 2 yr/o does not need that.

My 3 y/o has been under saddle for over a year and he hasnt even though about lead changes

BTW- I've found that some horses just dont like full cheeks so you might try a d-ring or an o ring plain loose snaffle for that reason.
Also make sure her teeth are okay. Have her wolf teeth been pulled yet?

[Cami1230]

Originally Posted by HUS_WP_lovr

BTW- I've found that some horses just dont like full cheeks so you might try a d-ring or an o ring plain loose snaffle for that reason.
Also make sure her teeth are okay. Have her wolf teeth been pulled yet?

Yep, and they were floated 2 wks ago.

[Cami1230]

I can see your concern about her age but she'll be 3 in 2 months. I also think she's progressed very well in her training until recently that it seems like we've hit a wall.

[HUS_WP_lovr]

Originally Posted by Cami1230

I can see your concern about her age but she'll be 3 in 2 months. I also think she's progressed very well in her training until recently that it seems like we've hit a wall.

I have no problem with riding 2 year olds. But even if she was 10 with only 6 months to a year under saddle I still wouldnt be doing lead changes. You dont want to sour her or confuse her. Or skip big chunks of training to take the fast easy way to the final destination. Slow and steady wins the race. Im talking training not health or soundness.

[Cami1230]

Originally Posted by HUS_WP_lovr

I have no problem with riding 2 year olds. But even if she was 10 with only 6 months to a year under saddle I still wouldnt be doing lead changes. You dont want to sour her or confuse her. Or skip big chunks of training to take the fast easy way to the final destination. Slow and steady wins the race. Im talking training not health or soundness.

Seems like I worded it wrong. I didn't mean it as in general riding a 2 yr old. We're not taking the fast way to get to the final destination. I don't see trying to teach a horse flying lead changes to be a problem IMO.

[JBandRio]

Horses need a certain amount of strength, balance, and agility to be able to do FLCs, as well as a rider who absolutely doesn't unbalance the young horse. If a youngster is having troubles, I'd stop doing them for now. Look for the REAL reason and work on that. The real trouble isn't the FLC. The real trouble is something else - it's putting her off balance, she was never really balanced to begin with, something.