Tip/Quote of the Day # 490You need to pay extra attention to the balance of your horse's canter/gallop on the approach when jumping cross country jumps at an angle (even a slight angle.) As if the horse's balance is not good, they are more likely to be slow with their front end on takeoff - which means an increased risk of a fall, since horses need to be extra quick with the front leg that is nearest the jump when jumping at an angle.Tip/Quote of the Day # 489If you are going to make a mistake when jumping, make it coming forward, not pulling back.Caroline's Blog Post # 2
Becoming “Big Cheese”
Many people close to me would probably never guess that confidence has been a recurring issue for me. I think it’s partly because I’m a Type –A overachieving control freak living in the land of horses where there is ALWAYS something more to learn and something completely unexpected about to happen. I also think it’s because for the longest time growing up I was afraid to make a mistake. I have learned that mistakes and imperfections are ok, expected, and NO BIG DEAL.
So why do I bring this up? (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 488From Facebook fan Kathy Wilson Rowe ~ "When you ask your horse to do something, MEAN it!!! Your horse needs to listen the first time!!"Question # 241: My big 17.1hh draft cross and I struggle very much with timing our take off for a jump. It doesn't matter if it is a single jump, a line etc. We tend to do a little better with the larger jumps and if it is a cross country jump... ...We are both new to jumping and I'm always very careful not to hit him in the mouth or land hard on his back. A ground pole will sometimes help with distance but we never seem to get in-sync together. I always seem to be wrong when I think/feel he will(or should take off)and he often adds(or doesn't when he should)an extra stride or step which results in me getting left behind or jumping ahead of him. This tends to happen at both the trot and canter but more often with stadium jumps. I have tried to shorten his strides or allow him to lengthen, hoping he will figure it out. We also practice lots of pole work as well. How can I help him (and myself)get more in-sync together for jumping? (Rechele)
Hi Rechele!
This is a very common problem! And riders get convinced that they must fix it by... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer) Tip/Quote of the Day # 487The half-pass helps to develop the brilliance of the extended trot, by increasing hip and stifle flexibility, and freeing up the horse's shoulders.Tip/Quote of the Day # 486Nagging isn't giving the horse feedback, it is desensitizing him to the aids.Caroline's Blog Post # 1
How to Deal with a Broken Horse
So I might not have all the expertise in the world, as realistically I’ve been quite lucky in that this is my first major injury and rehab process. However, with Jack out of work and my goals of running the CCI1* at Virginia a few month past, I’ve found some interesting ways to compensate for my year of setbacks. (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)
I think that the vast majority of horse people would agree that the hardest thing about riding is not anything to do with the horse's mind, but everything to do with the rider's mind.
Yes, folks, I'm talking about rider confidence. It's a well-used subject, but with good reason. Confidence is important in any sport, but when your teammate is a sensitive 1000lb animal that may panic upon sensing any fearfulness, it becomes absolutely essential. And it's something that most of us have trouble with, from 4* eventers to tremulous beginners when they first perch on a horse's back. (Click on blog title above (in blue) to read full entry)Tip/Quote of the Day # 481From Facebook Fan Casey Webb ~ "Like foundations for a house... If not done properly the higher stuff can never be right."Tip/Quote of the Day # 480When galloping through wooded areas on cross country, you are never going as fast as you feel like you are going. Keeping this in mind will help you to make the time on course.A Quick and Easy Self Hand Check For Riders
We all know that we want our horses to be straight, and to feel even in our hands, right? Well, here's something to think about... if your hands are not at the same height, or are in any way not an identical pair... and your horse feels even in your hands - then your horse is... (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
This is a great question! And one that might be crossing a lot of riders' minds as we approach the winter season. My thoughts are this: (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)Tip/Quote of the Day # 479"The hind legs are brought far enough underneath the center of gravity by the rider’s legs, where they are gradually burdened with more of the combined weight of horse and rider for brief moments, which flexes their joints more. Like coiled springs, they push off with much greater elasticity afterwards than unflexed hind legs. This energetic, springy forward swinging creates a very characteristic feeling in the seat (you feel the work of the hind legs as well as the swinging of the back that it creates very clearly, yet pleasantly), which is typical for a gait with impulsion, and which signals to the experienced rider: „Now he is moving!“ He despises, on the other hand, a wishy-washy, unclear trot feeling under the saddle which is caused by dragging hind legs that hardly push off and consequently don’t make the back swing – whereas others seem to love it. De gustibus … No, this is not a matter of taste. One is correct, the other one is wrong! Thrust may be there naturally, but impulsion must be worked out - or better: into – the horse by cultivating the thrust." ~ Alfred KnopfhartDiscussion # 102: Which horse has a better shoulder? And what about front leg conformation?Which horse has a better, more angled shoulder? And which has better front leg conformation? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 478"You are going to meet a fence one of three ways - short, right or long. Therefore you want to meet it on a stride that the horse can work from - a bouncy energetic canter - then he can add if he needs to or pat the ground or say thanks for getting me here right." ~ Jimmy Wofford
It really is all about the canter!Question # 239, and Video # 72: Gabbie has a question about her green horse's jumping, with video!My 6yr old Warmblood mare and I are running into some situations whilst jumping.. She is green but very brave. However, she leaves her back legs at fences and trashes through them. If she hasn't seen the fence/filler before then she jumps really well, but once she's seen it, it's like she puts no effort in? Or that's what it feels like, and with smaller fences, she just runs through them. She jumps better off a circle or if straight, she runs on the forehand. My trainer is becoming frustrated with her too. Do you have any suggestions? This video is actually better for her, normally she would've taken a cross pole out with her back legs. (Gabbie)(Click on Question or Video Title above (in blue) to read the answer, and the critique of this video)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 477Push yourself away from your hands, instead of bringing your hands back to you. Tip/Quote of the Day # 476From Facebook Fan Gabby Ballin ~ "Some rides are going to be perfect. Some rides are going to have you wondering why you don't quit riding. When that happens, take a deep breath and go back to something you know you and your horse can do easily."Tip/Quote of the Day # 475"In the last few strides there should be a transfer of responsibility for the jump from the rider to the horse." ~ Eric SmileyFirn's Blog Post # 1: A Poor Workman Blames his Tools?
They say it's only a poor workman that blames his tools. It should follow, then, that it's a poor horseman that blames his saddle or his horse or his boots or his bit... (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 474Always keep your eyes up when walking a course. See exactly what your horse will be seeing for the first time.Tip/Quote of the Day # 473Good lengthening and extended work requires straightness in the form of even loading of the hind legs.Tip/Quote of the Day # 472Many riders have some of the same habits when sitting behind the wheel of their car as they do on their horse. Check yourself when you are driving to see how straight and even you sit. Tip/Quote of the Day # 471Your horse needs to feel even in your hands while your hands are an identical pair, to prove that he is straight and truly even in your hands. Improve Your Ability to Sink Into Your Heels
Some lucky riders just seem to be born flexible, with a great natural ability to sink down into their heels. The rest of us are not so lucky! If you have tight tendons in your legs, or stiff ankles... you may find it inherently difficult to find those elusive deep heels. And sometimes, the more you try, the more elusive it seems to become! This is because... (Click on Article Title above (in blue) to read full article)
Back in the day, I was one of the founding members of Boston College's IHSA team. I absolutely loved being able to hop on a horse, with no chance to evaluate how a horse went beyond watching them warmed up by the hosting team or during other rounds, and jump a course with them. I learned that you didn't always place by having the best round, but sometimes by having a better... (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 467You have to have your core muscles engaged when riding, so that the horse's movement doesn't displace you.Photo # 63: This is Adria!(Click on Photo Title above (in blue) to read the critique of this photo)
Tip/Quote of the Day # 466When a horse begs to stretch often throughout his work, he is telling you that his topline is not strong enough to support the amount of work in self carriage that you are asking for. His muscles are fatigued at that point, and if you don't let him stretch soon, he will likely become resistant and resentful. Question # 238 and video # 71: I have been working on leg yielding in the canter, and have encountered a problem! As seen in this video, when I ask him to move over, he does move over some, but he turns his head excessively to the inside, no matter how light I try to be with my inside rein. What can I do? (Helen) (Link to video)
Good for you for putting in the time and effort to want to learn to do things the right way! And this is a great question to ask! As I see many beginner riders being taught to jump in a way that does not set them up for success... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)Tip/Quote of the Day # 464When running cross country in wet, muddy conditions, always look for the best possible footing for your horse in the galloping stretches. Often this means moving slightly off to the side of the track that everyone else has been running in. This little trick will save your horse lots of extra strain, as you keep him on "fresher" ground.Tip/Quote of the Day # 463"Make him a short horse with bigger paces rather than a long horse with shorter paces." ~ Stephen ClarkeTip/Quote of the Day # 462It is so common to see riders "doing too much" with their bodies over a fence (i.e. jumping a 2'6" vertical like it is a 5 foot oxer). Ironically, riders often do this to try to "help" the horse over the jump. But it can actually hinder them instead, as it makes it harder for them to balance themselves. Imagine you are running and jumping with a backpack on your back, and how much easier it would be to do so if that backpack would just stay in one place!Tip/Quote of the Day # 461Jumping is so easy for the horse if you have the right canter. Repeat this mantra regularly: It's all about the canter. It's all about the canter…Brianna's Blog Post # 8
Writing, Riding, and Lunch
The first day of school, that particular day that a small, if not nonexistent percentage of people can forget. The day that most of us dread and or dreaded. Each year you walked into the school with two things on your mind... (Click on Blog Title above (in blue) to read full entry)Tip/Quote of the Day # 460“It is a lot better to risk losing a bit of contact than not to yield.” ~ Nuno OliveiraDiscussion # 100: How would approach this cross country jump that presents you with a difficult light situation?This cross country jump in the dark woods certainly presents some visual challenges! Especially since you will be approaching it from a bright, sunny field. What speed would you come into this fence at? And what extra preparation would take on the approach? (Click on Discussion Title above (in blue) to read this educational discussion)
When negotiating rolling terrain, you must make the balance change in your position just before your horse has begun the downhill slope. If you wait until the first stride of the downhill slope to make your position change (hips back, stretch up a bit), you could be caught out of balance, which can be hard to recover from. And can negatively effect the horse's balance as well.
