Woohoo!!

Soooo... I'm really pleased and excited. As some of you may know, my horse is an OTTB. He developed a stronger left leg and lead while racing and has been quite stubborn about getting his right lead. Yesterday I had a lesson with my instructor, and she taught me a method to getting his lead. It worked everytime yesterday and today!!

Basically she had me get him at a very organized trot going to the left. Then I made a left turn in the arena going down a center or quarter line. I opened my left rein out as I turned and kept it out going straight. Then I switched to my right rein, opened it out, and turned right. I made sure he was looking to the right... sat up deep and tall and squeezed like I would normally. Right lead. Did it again. Right lead. Yayyyy! :)

Hopefully I will get it where picking up his right lead is no longer a problem without the whole turn method. For now... I will keep working with him on the flat. :)

That's awesome!!!!

Thanks :)

Congrats! I think that is great news :)

Congrats! I'm going to try your method with my mare. She's very stubborn about her right lead!

Thank you to you both!

Congratz E! Seems like everyones having good lesson this week! : D

Leg yielding on a slight counterbend is very helpful for getting unbalanced horses into the lead. You may find that the horse falls in on that lead during the canter as well, where continuing the slight outside bend will help keep him upright. As he get more balanced, you can slowly straighten him more and eventually get him on the correct bend for the transitions.

Great job! That is a usually a big plateau for a OTTB....so you are on your way! :)