Lead Change

Learn to nail your lope transitions with this demonstration from world champion trainer Carol Metcalf.

Use your arena fence to help change leads.

Ensure your horse stays honest during lead changes with this diagonals drill.

Use these lateral movements to improve your lead change.

Shifting your body weight helps your horse have a successful lead change.

If you’re not getting your lead change in the correct part of your pattern, chances are you’re leaving points on the table. While changing leads in the center of the arena might seem easy, many riders struggle with finding center and staying straight before, during, and after a flying lead change.

Bud Lyon breaks down how he works with a rider learning how to do a flying lead change.

Don’t let your horse change directions just because he changes leads. Use this drill to keep your horse straight after a lead change.

Learn how to successfully train and maintain a flying lead change.

Here’s how to practice and strategize your weakest areas before you walk through that horse-show in-gate.

Bud Lyon shows examples of simple lead changes for the ranch riding.

Correct your horse’s lead-change anticipation in the Western riding pattern with these expert techniques.

Use this exercise to improve your straightness for lead changes.

Use this exercise to prepare your horse to stay straight through all of your lead changes.

Not reaching your riding goals? The key might lie in letting your horse do his job.

Enhance your show experience and extend your performance horse’s skill set by adding ranch riding to your repertoire.

Executing four consistent lead changes in a row is challenging. Here I’ll offer advice on how to improve your changes down the line and score when it comes time to show.