Flying Leads

Today Spade got a day off because he has been doing so good, but since I forgot to write about our awesome day yesterday I hoped on here. Yesterday Mary called and wanted me to come to her house to ride with her. Being that she only live a few miles down the road I went for it. I figured it would be a nice short trip for Spade. Poor guy gets in the trailer and we drive forever and then I usually eat with friends so then he has to stand there. I thought this might be refreshing. I saddled him when we got there and went to her pen. I can't say I really did all that much. I started to trot and lope circles. As I loped fast circles and slow circles I started to make them different sizes. So when I went to the big fast circle I was like "why not ask for a lead change" For my no horse group a lead is the leading foot when a horse is loping (running). Right lead is when the right is ahead and left is the left.  So I shifted my weight and he swapped leads (right foot to left foot) and headed to the left. Behind me I heard Mary yelling. She was amazed that he did a flying lead change (that means he did it at a run without stopping...it isn't an easy maneuver to teach) I stopped and went to Mary I am sure my jaw was hanging open. I didn't expect a beautiful flying change I just wanted him to attempt the simple lead change. I was so excited, I did it four or five more times and quit him for the session. Later yesterday afternoon I pulled him out for a lesson and he did even better there. At one point I had to adjust my students equipment and I just walked away from him about 10 ft and he stood there ground tied like a good boy for a good while. Also my students dad was riding his roping horse around and he as if he could rope Spades back legs. I thought about it and said sure. The worst thing that could happen is he might buck. The first time it caught Spade off guard and he threw a little kick at the rope. So little I didn't even feel him do it. The second time he just stood there. When he pulled the rope back Spade flipped around and looked at him. I laughed because I have taught him that if he is afraid instead of kicking turn and look at it. Later we did it again and he didn't even care.