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To
start with, we must first look to see what makes up a lead change
---
and to do that correctly we must return to the discussion on leads,
and how they are determined. Remember, we must be in the canter
or
lope
gait
to determine a lead, and the canter
or
lope
gait
is a three beat gait. Now that you do recall about the gait known as
the canter or lope, it is easy to know what to look for, once that
you do know what you are looking for. Once that you understand more
about leads
and
lead changes, you will be able to determine which lead a horse is
in.
For
some horses it can be rather difficult for them to get into the
correct lead, but in most cases this is usually due to excessive
speed of the horse. This is why I have waited to discuss leads
and
lead changes
until
now, for excessive speed usually comes from not being collected.
Once a horse is shown and taught collection, had the experience of
perfecting collection through trial and error, excessive speed
should be a problem of the past. To perfectly perform a lead change
the
horse must be under control --- and, under control means being
collected.
To
understand lead changes, you also need to be made aware that there
are various types of leads
changes
--- but we will only go into the explanation of what is referred to
as simple lead changes
.
Now, the reason that these types of lead changes are referred to as
simple lead changes is that these are the most basic of all types of
lead changes --- and it all happens in the following manner.
The
horse starts to circle in somewhat of a large circle, either to the
right or the left. The starting direction is of no concern to us
here --- for it is the lead change
that
we are to accomplish, not the direction. As we look at the next
diagram we notice that the arrow shows the direction of travel of
the horse. In addition,
the point marked "A" is our starting point or
reference point for explanation purposes.
Now
the next diagram shows a second point labeled "B"
and a third point that is labeled "C". These
references are the start and the end of what will be called the
straight zone. It is within the area known as the straight
zone that a transition
or
lead change
happens.
Within this straight zone, or area of transition, this is where the
horse both prepares and accomplishes the actual lead change. To
continue our example, here is where the horse changes from the left
lead to the right lead. Basically what happens is instead of
continuing to circle to the left and stay in the left lead --- half
way through the straight zone the horse executes a skip-like step
and the horse is now in the right lead as a new circle from the
reference point "C" is started and completed.
To
continue our example, here is where the horse changes from the left
lead to the right lead. Basically what happens is instead of
continuing to circle to the left and stay in the left lead --- half
way through the straight zone the horse executes a skip-like step in
the rear legs, the front legs cross over themselves and the horse is
now in the right lead as a new circle from the reference point "C"
is started and completed.
If
another transition
or
lead change
is
to be accomplished, then motion
is
continued to the right in a circular motion until reference point "B"
is once again reached and the area of transition or the straight
zone
is
entered and half way through it another skip-like motion is
accomplished by the horse and motion to the left is accomplished.
This
is the process of the simple lead change.
Other types of lead changes
are
for horses that are schooled properly and taken to the proper level
of training to allow them to accomplish these advanced athletic
moves.
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Look For:
The Movement of
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