Quiet Riding

"Before I present the horse with the idea to switch leads, I want him to be confident about loping along on both leads at an extended lope, and collected, too."

"The thing to remember about leads changes is that in order for the horse to keep his balance at the lope, if one leg switches functions, then all his legs must rearrange themselves to give that horse the stability he needs for the job he has...."

"...it is not advisable to begin flying changes before the horse can maintain the counter canter is a circle effortlessly and without losing collection."

"You can get flying change of lead easily on a horse that is naturally well balanced and ambidextrous, but you have to know the basics thoroughly in order to get it on a left-handed, heavy-on-the-forehand horse."