08/28/2025
Folks, last weekend I traveled to Las Vegas to watch the National Stock Horse Association finals. The event focused on Cow Work; but included Reining patterns. While watching, actually observing, I was in awe at the flying lead changes that were flying out everywhere. I closely watch to see whether the riders moved the hindquarters over or scooted the shoulder a bit or seemingly did nothing and every horse that I watched (there were about 150 of them) changed leads at “X”.
I remember a discussion with the late, great Jack Brainard about this and about setting them up for it first. Jack explained to me that my pattern of set up with a Counter Bend then change was a good idea at the beginning. We have a short clip of this pattern on our video library at www.LSranchNaturally.com click on Video Library. Jack went on to say that I will need to move from this setup to a clean cue for the change as the change in competition has to happen at “X” or right when you ask.
I’m not a big fan of “do what I tell you” just because I asked for it. I prefer to present my horse a reason for the transition, any transition. Usually the transition will be to help me get somewhere. Rather than taking orders, my horses can detect where we need to be, and understand that doing so is more comfortable.
The video that we just loaded shows my nice Atwood Ranch Horse moving to the place in her education that Jack Brainard schooled me on. We are riding out on the ranch on a track that I had disced up many years ago. This 1 mile track ridden at a lope in this case has many right and left turns. If you watch the video, you’ll see me shifting my weight, my legs, and my reins then asking for the lead change. Not setting it up and waiting as I did earlier in her development; but asking for the change now. This mare is relatively new to this. We’ve ridden this path in this manner a few times; but she is still green to it and you can see her struggle here and there; then catch on and get it right on. When this was Filmed(?) over a year ago, she was dropping to a trot on changes to the right. She did not have this issue when we were setting it up and waiting, only when I began trying to be more specific. She’s over that now.
You can also see me periodically loose my balance and inadvertently give her a request for the change. She gives it try and we carry on. These days my balance at 82 is not quite what it was at 35, and it probably wasn’t all that good back then. In any event watching the video you can hear me explaining when I’m looking for the lead change along with what I felt through the process. I’m riding in the Californio “Two Rein” with the primary feel on the bosalito. I did not want to get in this mare’s way with the bridle reins while she’s learning.
Below is a short clip of various segments of the actual video which is now available on www.LSRanchNaturally.com. Click on the Video Library. Let us know what you think. Take Care and we’ll see you down the trail
