Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Title: Re: [RC]  ...Canter Leads/from Trot

Please see Truman’s message of 6:39 AM today. He really says it all, especially the part about getting your communication down in the arena. My situation is that I have an older Arabian that doesn’t go out on trails but who reads my mind and I ride/condition other people’s horses where I just jump on and guess what signals they’ve been taught—kind of like landing on an alien planet and trying convey that we come in peace. Replying inline w/ ***

On 1/1/06 9:09 PM, "ekiddco" <ekiddco@xxxxxxx> wrote:

> >As the path changes curves, man, there is where that left diagonal/right lead, vice versa that I have learned comes off the track.  Would you >explain the diagonal-neutral split-second interlude?  
>
> ***When you sit or stand for one extra step of the trot you’re not on a diagonal. I think of it as being in neutral. Or maybe like double clutching. :-)
>
> >I think maybe we're doing the same thing.  My horse will change his leads as we come to the point where our bodies both change direction, >let's say we're setting up for a left-hand lead, I open my left leg to the turn and put my right leg on him, being very careful not to open it too >soon cause I don't want him to cut a corner and say hello to the tree with my knee.
>
> ***Not sure about the opening and closing of the inside (left for left lead canter) leg. I use the textbook aids that Truman describes—inside leg at the girth (John Lyons’ stirrup), outside leg slightly behind.  One of the best take-away lessons from the pros is John Lyons’ description of 4 “cue spots” on the horse (page 194, Lyons on Horses). The 4 spots are 1 Spur (I would call this “behind the girth”), 2 Elbow, 3 above (forward of) the stirrup, 4 at stirrup. Various combinations of these zones can give the whole gamut of instructions.
>
>  >I keep the rein tight on the right side at the same time and release it when I want him to go.  At that moment we change leads together.  >>That's easy.  Let's talk about changing leads when you're going straight.  
>
> ***Unless you and your horse can do flying lead changes, you might have to downshift first. Tho it sounds as if your horse does this naturally on curves, at a canter, yes?
        >I watch film on race horses and try to understand the cue a jockey gives his horse after they turn down the home stretch. 

        ***You might want to watch the 2005 Freestyle Dressage Championships DVD with Debbie McDonald doing lead changes – 1-tempis— to Motown! :-)