flying changes?

[Blonde Donkey]

savvy is getting very good at cantering, can do counter canter and she is very balanced and bored of doing circles and going large in the arena and want's to do more so how can i teach her to do flying changes and vary her canter schooling?

[brigadier]

Hi Savvy
if she is nice and round and balanced in her counter canter then she may be ready fro flying changes. I would introduce lots of work such as turn on the haunches into canter and walk to canter, canter to walk transitions to get her really pinging on her hocks.
Everyone has a different method of teaching them but the best one Ive used is working on serpentines in a large area (field or giant school) do the canter loop and across the straight bit ask for a walk transition then immediately into canter again. Make sure your weight is changed to the new rein (ie sit to the inside, inside hip forward/outside hip back, inside shoulder back) This is where diagonal aids come into their own as you can give a really clear outside leg back aid. As the horse becomes adept at the quick transition then sneak in an attempt by simply doing a half halt, switch weight , outside leg back and see what happens. If she changes give lots of praise. If she changes in front only/or more rarely behind only, then let her know you are ok that she tried and then go back to the canter/walk/canter transition.

She then knows what you are after and will offer you the flying change as soon as her brain has got it.
Do not rush it, even if she does it straight away perfect it before trying anything else as you will fry her brain otherwise.
good luck

[abi]

yet again, brig seems to have covered all (isnt she good!?)

i cant remember if you jump or not, but we were getting fab at changing legs over fences with very very subtle aids, if you can do this, use the same "change leg" aids over a pole on the floor, down a centre line or in the middle of the school or field, and see if she will do that

it might take patience, but keep at it and use LOADS of praise every time, and then can gradually take the pole away when shes really listening to your aids xx

[Blonde Donkey]

brigs great!
will try that we do jump but only little fences until i am sure her hock's ok. we have praise and we also have bribery and corruption savvy will do anything for a bit of apple so probably give her a bit when she does it. can't wait to get trying!
thanks guys