It’s funny she uses the banana analogy… I ride a snake. From The neck to the butt, it’s a workout just to control the choke body of a super souple horse lol love the banana as it speaks a lot on the incurvation around our leg.
Hands down the best breakdown of the flying change I have ever seen. Wish I'd had this instruction 30 years ago when I first learned it! Keep the great stuff coming, love you and your team!
Thank you for the fantastic feedback!!!! Make sure you enter our subscriber competition and YOU could win lessons for a year on a PSG horse and get paid to do it!!!!
You wont believe it! Today, I was cantering, following the instructions of my professeur, and suddenly, she told me, to make a diagonal on canter, and almost, for the first time, almost a Flying Change, was done! The horse, didnt made a Flying Change in all his life, so I will pursue on my way. If I find it!and reach it, promise, to hang the achievement.Great instructions. Congrats!
when I was about 11/12 I finished my dressage intro level A(on my friesian draft cross), then we had a few minutes to canter.. keep i n mind it was about my 2nd or 3rd time cantering, Near the end I actually got her to do a flying change (we didn’t even know she could do a flying change lol , she’s an ex-plow horse.) my trainer was so surprised
Fantastic video! I loved hearing about the “homework” that goes behind correct changes. It gives a pathway of exercises if that’s your goal, rather than just being a party trick
Would you mind eventually doing a video on step 2 and step 3 (about what you need before a flying change)? I’ve got step one but would love some more in depth info on the other two steps❤️ as always amazing video thanks!
Absolutely! Alicia said that timing info may also help too. she has sent us this to show. x For a flying change from left to right: Timing: You need to give the aid at the moment of suspension, just before the horse will take the new leading leg. (In this case the left hind). Think of the timing of this aid as you asking for the change when the horse is coming down in his stride because then he will do the change when he comes up. Seat: Adjust your right seat bone to be more in the new small ribcage (the banana) Right leg: Is passive at the girth Left leg: Swing your left leg behind the girth to signal the new outside hind leg to strike off into the new lead. (Don’t hold this leg back. Pretend your leg is spring-loaded so you give a quick aid.) Reins: Both remain even
I love that you used a horse who isn't picture perfect (but still makes it look way to easy LOL). Im for sure gonna try it with this in mind next time. Would love it if you would be able to do a troubleshooting video with the same topic. Like what to do if your horse is late behind or kicks one of his hind legs out or rushes after the change? It would probably mean that your canter isn't correct enough, but the how and why would be really appreciated!
Hi Nalin! That is a great Idea! Alicia said she will have a think about how to do it. She did say that timing may also help, so has sent us this to send too . 'This may also help her" For a flying change from left to right: Timing: You need to give the aid at the moment of suspension, just before the horse will take the new leading leg. (In this case the left hind). Think of the timing of this aid as you asking for the change when the horse is coming down in his stride because then he will do the change when he comes up. Seat: Adjust your right seat bone to be more in the new small ribcage (the banana) Right leg: Is passive at the girth Left leg: Swing your left leg behind the girth to signal the new outside hind leg to strike off into the new lead. (Don’t hold this leg back. Pretend your leg is spring-loaded so you give a quick aid.) Reins: Both remain even
Yay thank you!!! NZ is back in lockdown so I’m loving your videos!!! It’s sad I can’t ride my horse and try your suggestions… But I’m loving your content and boy when I get back on my horse I’ll be trying everything out!!! 🙌🙌🙌
We are at stap 2, perhaps you could explain how to get your horse more collected, how to ride a good walk to canter transition and back, and how to improve the canter tempo changes? Let's hope to see this in soon your Daily video'ss. We love you!!!
Thank you! Fab explanation and great detail on where you need to be before starting the changes 👍🏻 Love that you’re showing these on a horse that hasn’t been doing them for 5 years already, but one that’s quite new to it still. We’re so close, but just need to keep our rhythm in shoulder in/travers better in the canter first! 🦄
Glad it was helpful! If you are losing rhythm in the shoulder in and travers. Go for less angle. Only go to where you can keep the rhythm, even if it is only shoulder fore by 1cm or quarter in by .05cm.... just stay within what the rhythm allows you too. As he get stronger, you just build and build xxx
@@YourRidingSuccess thank you! 😀 all about building that strength and confidence up 💃🦄 Loving these videos, always so good to get another perspective. Keep them coming!!! ❤️
You are the best. I have a horse that does a quick skip in her changes and I can’t seem to fix it. The lead changes are clean, but there’s always a quick step. Can u advise? Do you give lessons through video?
@@YourRidingSuccess breaking down the movement and explaining the canter is just fantastic. Even some trainers can't explain if this well. I really appreciate this series x
As always a really helpful video, and broken down into nice simple steps! Banana and train tracks have made such a difference in my riding. Thank you so much! I now know what I need to work on to get to flying changes which is great! I wondered if you could go into more detail on timing at some point.. I can do walk to canter but with the change I am a little confused as to how I find that ‘feel’ of when to ask. Thanks a million xx
Hi Lola! Great suggestion! Ultimitately, asking for a flying change is the same as asking for a walk to canter with timing because it is just putting the aid on. The thing with flying changes is that in the begining you need to think about where the horses body is and the way of going as that is more conducive to getting the change rather than "timing." If you can't get the flying change there is most likely something else going on that you need to work on i.e. improving the horses way of going.
@@YourRidingSuccess Thank you! So I’m probably overthinking it. My girl is not quite ready yet to do the changes but I think we are close 😊. Really appreciate your reply thank you x
Awesome explanations, i love the banana term, every video you do i look forward to viewing more educational terms. I love your shoulder in, shoulder fore explanations and i am having the same issues with it being written on my dressage tests "horse tilting the head", not knowing why and how to corrected it, until now with your explanation on his shoulders and not taking weight on his 4 legs, and it an a evasions. Ive a t/bred good to see what you feed the race horse Mosley as he can get hot out at comps.. loving all your easy to understand videos and i look forward to them weekly. i go searching on you tube for you
Hi Fiona, it is best to start the changes on the long side from counter canter, this is because you have the wall to guide you and keep you straighty which is so important for the changes. Let me know how you go ✨
I know this may sound silly, but tips in riding trot both posting and sitting would me nice I always struggle with it. Especially after along period of not riding i always have to reteach myself. EDIT: I found the trot one!! Wow why am i not getting all notifications for this channel DXX I missed some videos!!
Hey! I've learned so much from your channel that now I'm able to apply some one thses techniques in my hunter riding. I was wondering if you guys would ever consider virtual lessons? Like a zoom call lesson
Thank you for your feedback! We do have a program where you can receive video feedback and support with your riding. Could you send us a message on the Your Riding Success Facebook page and we will give you more information ✨
Thanks for this awesome video! As many others have said the banana idea is super helpful! My biggest struggle with the changes is I override them and get all over the place 😫 and my mare has learnt to anticipate this so she flops around her front legs and disunites all the time 😒 I often feel like I don’t have enough control over where her hind end is? Would working on getting my travers better help this?
Hi Laura, In general, if a horse is disuniting it means they have the majority of their weight on their inside front leg. Meaning that they need to move their weight to the outside hind leg. Use exercises like leg yield in the canter. Shoulder in/fore and LOADS and LOADS of tempo change. When you do the tempo change, ALWAYS ride shoulder in or leg yield into the transition and slightly out. This will ensure the horse stays up in the shoulders and doesnt put the hand break on the forehand. Hope this helps! Alicia xx
Hi Nancy, This one we have handed over to Alicia! She says: For a flying change from left to right: Timing: You need to give the aid at the moment of suspension, just before the horse will take the new leading leg. (In this case the left hind). Think of the timing of this aid as you asking for the change when the horse is coming down in his stride because then he will do the change when he comes up. Seat: Adjust your right seat bone to be more in the new small ribcage (the banana) Right leg: Is passive at the girth Left leg: Swing your left leg behind the girth to signal the new outside hind leg to strike off into the new lead. (Don’t hold this leg back. Pretend your leg is spring-loaded so you give a quick aid.) Reins: Both remain even The Timing is very very important. Practice walk to canter often before attempting changes, the aid is very similar. "Practicing the walk to canter, almost always helps riders find the "feeling for the timing". But everyone learns differently! So thank you for asking for more information to help! Let me know if that helps! Alicia xx
Hi! I love your videos! I have a question, when do you ask for the flying change? I think it’s on the third beat before the moment of suspension, is this right?
Alicia said this will help 💕 For a flying change from left to right: Timing: You need to give the aid at the moment of suspension, just before the horse will take the new leading leg. (In this case the left hind). Think of the timing of this aid as you asking for the change when the horse is coming down in his stride because then he will do the change when he comes up. Seat: Adjust your right seat bone to be more in the new small ribcage (the banana) Right leg: Is passive at the girth Left leg: Swing your left leg behind the girth to signal the new outside hind leg to strike off into the new lead. (Don’t hold this leg back. Pretend your leg is spring-loaded so you give a quick aid.) Reins: Both remain even
Anyone else come here after getting flying changes on all sorts of horses, only to realize they were never actually taught what the aids are for it and should probably figure that out?
Hi Amanda, So sorry for the late reply! We have had this question a lot! Alicia is actually going to do a video about this in a few weeks! so stay tunned! xx
This one we have handed over to Alicia! She says: For a flying change from left to right: Timing: You need to give the aid at the moment of suspension, just before the horse will take the new leading leg. (In this case the left hind). Think of the timing of this aid as you asking for the change when the horse is coming down in his stride because then he will do the change when he comes up. Seat: Adjust your right seat bone to be more in the new small ribcage (the banana) Right leg: Is passive at the girth Left leg: Swing your left leg behind the girth to signal the new outside hind leg to strike off into the new lead. (Don’t hold this leg back. Pretend your leg is spring-loaded so you give a quick aid.) Reins: Both remain even The Timing is very very important. Practice walk to canter often before attempting changes, the aid is very similar. "Practicing the walk to canter, almost always helps riders find the "feeling for the timing".
This one we have handed over to Alicia! She says: For a flying change from left to right: Timing: You need to give the aid at the moment of suspension, just before the horse will take the new leading leg. (In this case the left hind). Think of the timing of this aid as you asking for the change when the horse is coming down in his stride because then he will do the change when he comes up. Seat: Adjust your right seat bone to be more in the new small ribcage (the banana) Right leg: Is passive at the girth Left leg: Swing your left leg behind the girth to signal the new outside hind leg to strike off into the new lead. (Don’t hold this leg back. Pretend your leg is spring-loaded so you give a quick aid.) Reins: Both remain even The Timing is very very important. Practice walk to canter often before attempting changes, the aid is very similar. "Practicing the walk to canter, almost always helps riders find the "feeling for the timing".
When you say "true bend" in the counter-canter, what do you mean? Is it bending to the outside as your horse is going or is it somehow bending the "wrong way" to the inside?
Good question! We have given this one to Alicia "In a true bend, the horse should bend along his whole body with his rib cage expanded outward (the banana analogy) and his pole flexed in the direction he is moving." When in counter canter, the horses are ultimately bent away of the direction of travel. So as we start to gymnasticize the canter, the horse gets more supple so he is able to canter in the counter - but his body shaped as if he was in true canter." Hope that helps! x
@@YourRidingSuccess That clears it up a lot thank you. Really enjoying your videos as always, there is almost always a tidbit or two that I either forgot or never learnt that I can apply next time I ride.
Super question!! Piaffe is the result of working through the training scale to create the highest level of collection! Have a watch of this video to understand how you use the training scale to be able to create the different movements in dressage - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-oDze9c40vOY.html
After what footfall at the walk should you ask for canter? I never have a problem as I think I feel it without consciously knowing what I am doing. I must be asking for it when the outside hind is ready to step, but what leg makes a footfall before that outside hind is free?
Thats right linda, Walk to canter aid is the same as the flying change aid. Except, there is no moment of suspension. See below, Hope this helps! xx For a flying change from left to right: Timing: You need to give the aid at the moment of suspension, just before the horse will take the new leading leg. (In this case the left hind). Think of the timing of this aid as you asking for the change when the horse is coming down in his stride because then he will do the change when he comes up. Seat: Adjust your right seat bone to be more in the new small ribcage (the banana) Right leg: Is passive at the girth Left leg: Swing your left leg behind the girth to signal the new outside hind leg to strike off into the new lead. (Don’t hold this leg back. Pretend your leg is spring-loaded so you give a quick aid.) Reins: Both remain even The Timing is very very important. Practice walk to canter often before attempting changes, the aid is very similar. "Practicing the walk to canter, almost always helps riders find the "feeling for the timing".
So it turns out, my counter canter left rein is fine. My counter canter right is not. Even when we complete a normal canter right, her quarters come in slightly and if I don't put my inside leg back, she canters crooked. How do i correct this without having to keep my leg pushing her butt straight?
Hi Naomi, YAY!!! So good you found out! Go you!!!!! So, lets fix it..... In general, if a horse has his quarters in this means he is just lacking suppleness.... It also means they have the majority of their weight one front leg the majority of the time. This can cause many issues, but in relation to the canter, on one side she will struggle more. Help her become more supple and fix the straitness issue. When you are cantering, DONT help her with your leg to keep her straight. Take the quarters in as a sign to fix the shoulder, not to hold the hind leg. Remember, that it is due to lack of suppleness that she is doing this. Also remeber that the hind follows the shoulders. So if you want to move the quarters, move the shoulder instead. Use exercises like leg yield in the canter. Shoulder in/fore and LOADS and LOADS of tempo change. When you do the tempo change, ALWAYS ride shoulder in or leg yield into the transition and slightly out. This will ensure the horse stays up in the shoulders and doesnt put the hand break on the forehand. Dont be afraid to only canter a few strides, before you make a downward transition to trot, or turn a circle with some leg yield for example. Again remember, that the issue is due to lack of suppleness, so if you keep going around and around it wont fix the underlying issue. Fix the issue not the symptom Hope this helps! Alicia xx
Yes!!! We use rising trot all the time, watch this video of Mowgley our OTTB where Alicia only does rising trot ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-SO_Yb7xI180.html
HI I am restarting my mare and I am struggling with my mare to take on a left lead, how would you approach that situation? What I have been doing is doing a right leaded canter change direction across the diagonal and then when I get to the other side half-halt, break down to a trot or a very slow canter change my weight in my seat bone lift my inside rein and put my outside leg behind and my inside leg on the girth. She will then likely change. How do I get her to take on the correct lead from a walk, or a trot on the straight?
We have passed this one to Alicia! Hi There! In general, the reason why horses strike off on the wrong lead is that they don't have enough weight on their outside hind leg. (leading leg). Take your time. Ensure the walk or the trot in straight and with even weight before you ask. If it is not, or is then begins to get crocked again, ABORT ABORT!! lol and go back to the walk or trot and get that correct first. Doest matter how many times you have to do this. Exercises to get her straighter... Leg Yeild Shoulder in Renvers Don'd be afraid to use some counter flection, or even renvers (slight) DURING the transition to canter. I know that can sound a little strange... but it will help put weight through the leading leg. Often when they are not straight, the more you flex to the inside, the more unbalanced they become and the more weight is taken off theoutside hind. Hope that helps! xx
@@YourRidingSuccess Hi, I will definitely try the above! We have been doing a lot of lateral work to get her nice and straight. Thank you so so much for your quick reply.
While a lot of the new girls videos are good I run into the problem with some of her videos where she repeats the same thing over again but doesn’t fully explain it references another video but it’s nothing linked in the description Or anything. Makes it super frustrating. For example this video she kept referencing walk to canter aids and apply them at the right time but never linked the video that went over it or explained it quickly in the video. I understand things change but I miss the old instructor. I never felt like I was missing info or having to search for other videos with hers.
Thank you for taking the time to send us this reply and feedback. Perhaps we can make a video for you explaining some of the things you mentioned like walk - canter? ✨
@@YourRidingSuccess I appreciate you replying! Ik it hasn’t been easy taking over. And you’re doing a great job. But if you could do those few things I mentioned I feel like it would help a lot :) like link a reference video or quickly explain what you’re referencing.
