Quote:
Originally Posted by sniezer
When a horse is on it's left lead, the left front hits after the right front.
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Maybe this answers JP's question about which lead a horse is generally on in the turn - left lead but the right front hoof hits the ground first which makes sense from a balance/centrifugal force standpoint - at least to me. I always thought the lead meant which front hoof hits the ground first, an error on my part.
There was a good article in I think Horseplayer Magazine on lead changes a few years ago and I remember it said that Dubai Millenium never changed leads, ran on the same lead the whole race, pretty good horse anyway but I guess he could have been a play against in a North American sharp turned race.
Can't jockey's help or even get a horse to change leads through rein work? Always thought Bailey was good at this. If a horse is getting tired doesn't a lead change provide that extra boost for the run down the lane coming out of the turn?
I think Fat-man's description of a balanced lead change run race is right on, too many lead changes might mean too much disruption in the horse's running momentum. Nice thread.