Flying changes are one of THE MOST difficult things to teach a horse to do! While it is a “natural” movement for horses, teaching the horse to do the flying change on command when the rider asks for the change is very different.
In today’s YouTube video, I share 3 horses at different stages of learning the flying changes. The first horse is literally the first time I ever asked for a flying change. The second horse has been working on changes for about 6 months or so, and the last horse, Natasha, is a confirmed Grand Prix horse.
It is so important in training the flying changes, and in everything with Dressage, to always go back and work on the basics. The key to the flying changes is having a good canter quality, obedience to the aids, thoroughness, and a supple and straight horse. When working on the flying changes, it is essential to keep in mind the Dressage Training Scale.
The canter must have the correct rhythm, suppleness, connection, impulsion, straightness AND collection to do a correct flying change!
If any one of these elements from the Dressage Training Scale is missing, it will cause issues in the changes.
Interested in learning more? Check out my Masterclass: Flying Changes Made Simple: Flying Changes Course – Amelia Newcomb Dressage
Hope to see you in the course!
Happy Riding!
Amelia
