I took video of my horse jumping yesterday and I noticed him swapping behind just on takeoff, presumably so that he will land the correct lead, since the one or two times he didn’t do it he ended up swapping leads mid air and landing wrong. Is that odd? He is very young, just starting over fences but I’ve never seen that. Any ideas on how to stop it? Or do you think it’s just a baby thing that he’ll grow out of? I’d hate for it to become habit 
Is he swapping both ways or trying to always take off on the same lead behind?
Appears to be swapping both directions although I only got vid of 4 jumps total, two in each direction and the two tracking left he definitely swapped, and once tracking right. I get it though, you think it’s a soundness or fitness thing. Hmmm. He favors the right lead, so why would he land on his less comfortable lead? I may be giving him too much credit here, but I wonder if he does it to land the lead. He hates having to change after a fence.
He may be sore (or have some other type of physical issue going on). That fact that you said he is very young and just started jumping it may just be that he is using muscles that he hasn’t used before and they are tired/fatigued.
We had a young talented pony who started doing this.
Was not a soundness issue just a phase.
But what was important was to school very focused.
Many lessons only did one lead that day and lots circle jumps one lead that day.
Has grown out of and doing amazing!
My 9 year old gelding started swapping leads going down a line - cantering disunited (cross cantering) and it was the precursor to a DDFT tear.
Can you share the video? Since you say he is young and just starting jumping, I wonder if he’s just trying to figure out how to set his feet for takeoff, especially if the distance comes up as something he’s not quite comfortable with yet (which is more likely off the weaker lead).
I had issues with that a few years ago with a green (but not young) wb mare. Turned out she was more comfortable launching off with the one hind leg than the other, and it was primarily a strength/balance thing. She’s was more apt to do it when I squeezed for a longer distance, and would swap off in a line if I half halted without keeping a little inside bend. When I focused on keeping her straight/correctly bent the whole approach to the jump, the problem went away. I had to learn how to maintain a little outside leg/rein to keep her from drifting when I kept the bend, but the mare turned into a fantastic AO horse and nearly never swaps out now unless she really has no support from her rider.
So, bottom line. I think it’s likely a greenie’s issue with balance and strength. Keeping him focused and straight, or perhaps over doing the inside bend a little to teach him what you’re looking for, is probably the answer. If the problem is persistent, then get a soundness workup to make sure it’s not a physical/soreness issue.
When that happens they are definitely trying to tell you something is hurting. I’d have the vet take a look.
Ever had the hocks x rayed? It is a classic way to protect sore hocks. Could be some green type issues but it might be a good idea to get some pictures. Always good to have a baseline down the road too.
Even young, very low mileage horses can have various injuries or conditions going on we can’t see from outside and that don’t create a limp.
He could need more time on the flat and finish growing too, might want to back off the jumping until you are sure. Sure wouldn’t want the swapping to become a habit-and that can happen quickly.
It’s a young horse training issue. My horse on long run singles used to swap off on the way to the jump because he thought he was so clever knowing that a lead change was on the other side. I remember once jumping thru the middle of the ring on a figure 8 pattern, he would decide which way we were turning and land and swap. He also swapped when I would counter bend him down the line to get him off his left shoulder. I found being persistent with your aids stops this. Make sure his butt is to the inside on the lead you want to hold. So basically really hold your bend.
When my horse started swapping before the jump, it turned out to be due to an injury. It was really the first sign
[QUOTE=ElementFarm;7639518]
I had issues with that a few years ago with a green (but not young) wb mare. Turned out she was more comfortable launching off with the one hind leg than the other, and it was primarily a strength/balance thing. She’s was more apt to do it when I squeezed for a longer distance, and would swap off in a line if I half halted without keeping a little inside bend. When I focused on keeping her straight/correctly bent the whole approach to the jump, the problem went away. I had to learn how to maintain a little outside leg/rein to keep her from drifting when I kept the bend, but the mare turned into a fantastic AO horse and nearly never swaps out now unless she really has no support from her rider.
So, bottom line. I think it’s likely a greenie’s issue with balance and strength. Keeping him focused and straight, or perhaps over doing the inside bend a little to teach him what you’re looking for, is probably the answer. If the problem is persistent, then get a soundness workup to make sure it’s not a physical/soreness issue.[/QUOTE]
This exactly for my mare. She is 6y/o and will do it occassionally if the distance is too long and she sees another distance a stride out. She will also do it if I accidently shift my weight or look too far ahead.
I worked on bounces, lines of bounce canter poles and sitting up for that deeper distance just to increase strength in the haunches. This has pretty well eliminated the issue.
[QUOTE=VirginiaBred;7639695]
When that happens they are definitely trying to tell you something is hurting. I’d have the vet take a look.[/QUOTE]
Agree with those who suggest xray/vet visit to be safe. My young mare was swapping hind leads (in her situation was swapping when just hacking) and turned out to be hind fetlock OCD’s. She was otherwise sound healthy and did not swap her lead every single time, but often enough to notice. Did the surgery and now bringing her back into work. You just never know… I would rather be safe than sorry. I’m glad I did the xrays.
It may be a phase while learning how to balance over fences.
It may be a muscle soreness issue - using new muscles while jumping and trying to compensate.
It may be a lameness thing - although then I’d except it to happen mostly on one lead and not the other.
