How do you train flying changes without fences or poles?

Hi!

As you say, a change is easiest over a pole or fence, because the horse has a bigger canter stride and naturally has time to swap legs with plenty of air under the belly.

To get a correct change, the horse must be well in front of the aids and understand what you want. This takes a lot of solid dressage work, so it is worth reading up on the scales of training and getting to grips with them. The horse needs to be supple and free of resistance, straight, able to collect onto the hindlegs and light in front. Collection is the final point on the scales of training.

Here is an example of how you might do it. Ride a canter half-pass on the diagonal, which is already advanced, and as you near the track flex the poll over. The new inside rein should be free, then ask for the change within the stride, swapping your legs into the new canter. The half-pass sets it up so the shoulders are out of the way for the change.

A straight horse matters most, so that you are not trying to change leg and direction at once. In left canter, picture yourself staying in left canter after the change, flex the poll to the right before the change but keep the shoulders left, and the horse is then straight through the body. The feel is that the horse can change up through the new inside. If you pull on the new inside rein and tip yourself inwards, for example, you make the change very hard for the horse.

Work a lot on changing the pace within the canter, and strengthen the horse through counter-canter. Most riders make the mistake of staying in the one pace, wherever it feels most comfortable. You must be able to lengthen and shorten without resistance, with every transition coming easily, balanced and with the horse going forward willingly.

Keep at it and praise your pony plenty so she stays motivated. If you can, it would be brilliant to practise flying changes yourself on an experienced horse that can show you how it should feel :) Good luck!