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'Wierd' ways to ask for the correct lead?

3K views 17 replies 12 participants last post by  EmilyandNikki 
#1 ·
I have a horse that is a green eventing horse (we haven't been to an event yet, but I have taken him to open shows just to get him out) but he will not take the left lead at all if you are on his back, unless it's over jumps. Well, that wouldn't make too much of a difference in cross country, and he always picks the correct one up in show jumping, but that would kill our scores in dressage. I've tried the 'normal' ways of asking him, but he's just not a normal horse. Anybody have any odd ways that they have to use to ask for the correct lead? Thanks in advance!
 
#2 ·
Asking for the right lead, for example:

* Sit slightly more heavily on your left seat bone

* Press your left leg straight into the horse's side just behind the girth

* Keeping your right leg at the girth, squeeze strongly with both legs to urge the horse foward.

*Maintain slightly more contact on the right rein as you lift it a fraction to riase your horse's head and tip his nose very slightly toward the right.


That's the standard aids. I have a ton more weird ones if none of those work. :wink:
 
#5 ·
I make sure I have the correct bend, and have his nose turned to the inside, then I hold my outside rein, give a little with the inside, put my outside leg back and my inside right behind the girth. I squeeze with the inside leg and use my seat to ask. I also use a little of my voice too, if he's being lazy.
 
#6 ·
I have a horse that is a green eventing horse (we haven't been to an event yet, but I have taken him to open shows just to get him out) but he will not take the left lead at all if you are on his back, unless it's over jumps.

Well, that wouldn't make too much of a difference in cross country, and he always picks the correct one up in show jumping, but that would kill our scores in dressage.

I've tried the 'normal' ways of asking him, but he's just not a normal horse. Anybody have any odd ways that they have to use to ask for the correct lead? Thanks in advance!
He is not taking the correct lead, because he is not balanced. So the question is, what is it that you are doing while in the tack, that is creating the result you are getting?
 
#7 ·
try not worrying about his head as much. Make sure you have contact with your inside rein but let his head be where ever he wants it. Put pressure father back and ask his hips to fall in but make sure his shoulders don't push out with his shoulders, set him up like this a few times and then when it feels comfortable ask for the lead. It's worked for my reining gelding who refused to pick up the left lead. My mistake was thinking he was correctly bended but he was actually just pushing his shoulders out.
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#8 ·
You know... It is possible that his shoulder is out instead of him actually having a correct bend... I'll check that. If I trailered him to a lesson with my trainer, would she be able to tell from the ground?
 
#11 ·
dont think about bending, focus on keeping him straight and forward in front of your leg. and you go around the corner, look up and to the outside and put your leg on. i wouldnt say any horse needs a 'wierd' method to do anything. if they are physically capable and balanced they can do it.
 
#12 ·
I can't remember precisely, but something about leg yielding forces a horse to pick up a correct lead unless they are very skilled with their feet. If you could do that and ask at the same time maybe he could make the connection? Sorry for being rather un-helpful...
 
#14 ·
Depends on how good of an eye she has as to whether or not she'll be able to tell, My trainer can. I can tell by the way he's walking and when I look down and his shoulder buldges out. Give it a try and let me know if I was helpful at all :)
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#15 ·
Well, there are of course the wrong ways that will get the lead but not teach much such as lifting your outside rein straight up or throwing them onto the lead by taking a sharp turn.

My aunt's method for me and Jynx was an interesting one - change rein across the diagonal. It sets the horse up better for the lead, and prevents them from anticipating it because you're already using the aids asking them to begin traveling in a new direction. Just begin trotting in the opposite direction of the lead, change rein across the diagonal and a few strides out from the wall being pushing them into a bend towards the wall and ask for the canter.

Also consider what your seat is doing. Jynx would usually get her left lead if I was in two point, so it was obviously something I was doing, heavier in one seat bone. I found out I have scoliosis so that explains why she was having SO much difficulty with me!
 
#16 ·
make sure he is nice and warmed up first get, do lots of transitions, circles and serpentine's, leg yielding, also if you know how to do turn on the quarters/forehand will get him listening to your leg aids, only when you feel his he is relaxed and supple trot a small 10 meter circle on the left rein, THEN give him the correct aids - outside leg behind the girth, inside leg on the girth and squeeze.....

Does he feel the same on both reins? or is he stiffer on his left? you may want to practice transitions on the lunge?

Also if you have the money you could always get his back checked?
 
#17 ·
Here's my weird way: when I began my horse on the lunge, to ask for canter, along with voice, I'd sort of roll my hand over, to mimic her leg. Well, when I started riding, I noticed that if I rolled my inside hand, she'd take the inside lead. Every time. Now, if I get stuck doing the counter canter, sometimes I'll roll the outside hand, to give her an extra hint, and it really helps!
 
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