The Left Lead

My new horse is 13 but still a little green. I can pick up the right lead just fine but not so much the left lead. Any advice on how to get the left lead when all he seems to know is the right lead???

Oh, and yes he can do flying lead changes just fine... in fact, he does them AWESOME! But I really want to be able to get the left lead without having to pick up the right lead first THEN changing my leads! Lol!

8) Hi,

I had a TB of the track once who use to do this all the time- and surprisinly it was the left lead too :P Anyway, my instructor said to set a trot pole in the corner of the Dressage Arena. The idea of this is that the horse will jump the trot pole while you are asking for the left lead (sit and put the inside leg on the girth and the outside behind) and then continue on a 20m circle :)
Not going on one lead can also mean 'in pain', so check that out. But I am leading o believe that its just a 'race horse' thing.

P.S If he doesn't jump over the pole put on side of the pole up - say 60cm.

P.S.S Make sure you keep me informed

It could just be the way your asking him, try turning his hip to the left and have his head bent to the left and the ask him to lope it should work. Sometimes there back will hurt and they will not want to pick up one side, just get him to go on the left any way one can and then run for awhile

MAYBE.... Or it could be the horse

How about on the lunge line? My horse has the same problem and doesn't like to pick up the right lead on the lunge. While riding he's fine, because I can get his hip in, etc. Even after a small jump (on a straight line), he'll choose the right lead on his own. So, he seems comfortable with the right lead, but just doesn't like it on the lunge!

Yep he's fine on the lunge! He picks up both leads automatically on the lunge, its like he knows what lead he SHOULD be on but just doesnt want to pick it up while im on him. Because usually after several attempts while riding I can get the left lead fine but it just takes him awhile to figure out that im asking for the left lead lol... :roll:

that's great!! Could it be the saddle? If he doesn't do it in the saddle then maybe its a poor sitting saddle?

Sorry to say it but it seems like a rider fault not a horse fault. No offense intended.

If your horse can pick the lead on the lunge then he knows what to do, but whilst you are riding he may be getting confused messages from your aids.

All riders, like horses are one sided, stronger on one than the other and this is reflected in how well our horses work. My advice is to over exaggerate your left canter aid, make sure your weight is in your inside seat bone and down your inside leg, your legs are in the correct positions, you are flexing him/her properly etc.

Without seeing you ride, I am guessing that your left aid is too similar to your right for your horse to tell the difference (probably more a wight distribution issue more than leg placement) I've taught riders who have had their legs in the correct position, but their weight has been all over the place and confusing the c#@p out of their poor horse. It's easily fixed, you just have to be conscious of where your weight is.

Sorry about the spiel, but I hope it helps

I use to have a TB that would not go on that lead! It turned out he was out in the back.
As Frog said its probally the rider, which it is 99% of the time :P Not tryng to single you out or anything but please just check if the saddle is fitting propely, or get a Chiropractor or Bowen Therpy.
Cheers

Yeah now that you mention it, its probably my weight... because my legs are correct but I tend to have a habit of putting my weight forward a little and sort of.. standing up in the stirrups ever so slightly.

Thanks for the advice and don't worry your not singling (sp?) me out lol im used to it with my trainer she's the meanest thing on two legs.