[barrelracer08]

I do I teach lead changes for barrel racing? Whats the easyest way to teach them? and how do I convert them into flying lead changes?

[Blue_rose2001]

I was told...... Start training your horse to lope perfect circles. They should pick up the correct inside lead when you do this. If not. Stop and start again. Another cue is to tilt their head to the outside of the circle and bump the outside shoulder with your heel. I guess I simple got lucky. My boy automatically gets the correct leads. If I so much as shift and slightly pull the rein, he will switch leads (not good when I am trying to do good in the western riding class too).

Another way is to cue for the lope and shift your weight hard to the inside. They will put that leg under them to "support" you and your weight shift. This requires confidence in your horse! Don't do it if you feel it is too dangerous. Play with your weight and balance shifts.

Good luck. I hope you get a lot of other ideas too!

[Serenity06]

For lead changes at the barrels your horse NEEDS to already know its leads first off. The way the trainer i know does it (its what she taught me to do); go to your first barrel on the correct lead and when you come around it right when you would be heading to the second barrel break the horse down and take off on the next CORRECT lead. I do a half halt with my mare and she will automatically switch her lead at that time. When the horse get REALLY GOOD AND USED to that then you can start asking it to keep going and eventually they will start switching their leads automatically, if the horse fails to do so you just go back to square one for a bit.

To get them used to breaking down at the right spot i would do it at a trot first for a while

[BlingRacer]

I honestly never taught flying changes to my barrel horses when they were learning the pattern....They picked it up on their own. I would just do a simple change between 1-2 and after a while, they started doing the change on their own.

If you do want to train it though, I recommend getting the horse really really solid on picking up the correct leads and then lope a figure 8...when you get to the place you should change leads, use your foot to move his hip over and if he's responsive, he should change. I know that isn't very clear but I can't think how to word it right.

[barrelracer08]

thanks guys. I think Tamber as gotten the idea now and the leads but If I do need to teach then I know where to come............lol

[barrel_racer64]

The trainer I bought one of my barrel horses said that if they change to the correct lead right when they sit down to rate the barrel, it helps them gather up more. Watch the big horses run, and you will see them change when they start their turns. I would just work on teaching your horse leads and changes, and not worry so much about the actual changing during the pattern. JMO though.

[shepherd406]

One trainer I know doesn't teach lead changes. He believes the horse will change automatically. He's qualified for the world 37 times.

Another does teach lead changes. He's also qualified for the world quite a few times.


It just depends on you & the horse I guess.