Photos

Hi Kayla!

First of all, I'm glad that you had so much fun at your hunter pace! Those are always so much fun and such a great experience for both horse and rider. And they are getting harder and harder to find, unfortunately. I'm glad you have access to one! Now, onto your question!

I think you will find all of the answers that you are looking for in this article on the horse that drifts when jumping. But there is something that I also want to mention that shows up in this series of photos.... (Click on Photo/Question Title above to read the full answer and critique of these photos.)

(Click on Photo Title above to read the critique of this photo)

My horse tends to drop his knees (like in the attached picture) over fences. He doesn't ALWAYS do this, but I have been finding he has been doing it more frequently. It usually when he chips in and adds a stride, which I'm guessing is due to a canter lacking enough impulsion? I'm having a hard time getting him to have enough forward energy without letting him get fast and flat. Do you have any exercises to work on to help fix this? (Rachel) (Click on Photo Title above (in blue) to read the answer and critique of this photo)

I am concerned about my position going over solid xc fences. In the first picture, I feel like I am too far forward - my shoulders are further forward than my knees and it kind of looks like I am laying on his neck. But then in the second picture, it looks as if I am already lightly sitting in the saddle mid jump. So then that leads me to think that if my shoulders were farther back during the take off, I would have ended up getting left way behind and pulling on his face mid jump? (Rachel)