Question: I have a 10 yr old QH gelding that as a 7 yr old was green broke. My mom originally bought him and I have been working with him for the past 1 1/2 yrs. I am training him to be an all around horse and we are almost there. We just have one big problem! We lived in TN for a year and had our own barn and arena so I was working him everyday and somedays twice a day. I started working him on flying lead changes and he got them every time, never missing one. Now that I can work on them again (after moving), he absolutely will not do them. He won't even set up for them. He does perfect simple changes but for our western classes we need the flying changes. I have tried figure 8's, straight aways, roll back, moving him off my leg at the canter into the direction of the new lead, small circles at the counter canter, using my corners, etc., and nothing is working. Please help!

Answer: If you'll look at the March 1997 "Training and Showing Tips for Hunter Seat Riders" at my web site, you'll find an article entitled, "Teaching the Flying Change of Lead." It explains an exercise using a pole that may be useful to you. I hope it solves your problem.