Question # 205: My horse is always "right on" on cross country. In stadium, however, we are both notably greener. Sometimes she's in XC mode, taking off all over the place in the warm up, which often leads to… ...very sloppy rounds since we are both too busy fighting to see the jumps. But more often (and very contradictory), I have trouble getting her to take me to the fences. It's as if that light that is always on in cross-country, forward and looking for the next jump, doesn't come on in the show ring. To make matters worse, the lack of forward energy makes me resort to the old bad habit of leaning forward and jumping ahead (which I no longer do xc). So, how do I find that nice stadium impulsion, where she is not trying to take off galloping, while still not giving me the out-of-office auto-reply? Do I need to get a long stick with a nice brush fence to wave in front of her? (Nanna)
Great question! We all know that we need a good, active, and balanced canter for both Dressage and jumping. But there definitely are a few differences in the canter that you want for the two different disciplines! Those are... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)Question # 203: I am having issues with my canter to trot transitions......My trot to walk is almost perfect, in that I feel as if my horse is still actively engaged in the hind end when we transition downward, and I feel our upward transitions (all of them, even into the canter) are fairly good. The trot to canter isn't perfect, but it's still better than the canter to trot. Especially to the left. What are some exercises to improve that particular downward transition? Thank you! (Kymbre)
I am so glad to hear that the Nathe bit is working so well for you! It can be such a fabulous bit choice for horses that have have sensitive mouths, or are overly defensive about contact. And yes, it is 100% legal for your Dressage test in Eventing. But since it is probably the most mild bit out there, I totally understand you feeling like you need a little more bit than that for jumping! I don't think I would go to a mullen mouth as a step up from this bit. I think I would instead try a... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)Question # 199: I have a young horse (5 year old ISH) with a trainer. He's really wonderful, but very ADD, herd-bound, pretty spooky, and somewhat insecure. In essence, he's just like me......My trainer is worried that the two of us will be a major disaster. I would love for this horse to be my next horse, but what do you know about personality quirks of people/horses? The horses I've done well with in the past have been "steady eddies", very calm (but alert), willing/eager to please, and VERY forgiving. Ammie friendly. SO--can ADD riders be ok with ADD horses? Or is this a situation where opposites really do better? (Becky)
As with any movement in the Dressage ring, the key is... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)Question # 197: My horse and I moved up to Training level last summer, and did very well, even winning at our last event of the year. But this year......has not started off so great. He is still jumping everything, but kind of reluctantly. He just doesn't feel as confident this year, and I don't know what the problem is. We have done 3 events this year already, and he was no better in the 3rd as he was in the first. I am thinking of dropping back down to Novice for a while, but my trainer doesn't want me to. She says he will be fine, and I just need to get more agressive. What do you think? (Amelia)
Hi Amelia!
Well, there could be a number of things going on here. First of all, it would be a good idea to get your horse thoroughly checked out by a vet who is a lameness specialist. Sometimes they begin to lose enthusiasm for their job long before they are actually lame, when they have a minor issue. This can be especially true when it comes to hock issues, which are often bilateral (occuring evenly on both sides), as well as back or SI (sacroiliac) issues. But can also be an issue with mild foot pain or saddle fit. Since your horse has had such a big change in performance, it is really a good idea to rule out any physical issues. But it could also just be a confidence thing.
It sounds like you are pumping with your upper body at the canter - which is actually quite a common problem! This is something that once a rider starts doing, can quickly become a bad habit. The best way to fix this problem will likely be for you to... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)Question # 195: I have a client's horse that I'm working with, and she has an issue I've never had to deal with before. She thinks she is an accordion--she will shorten her neck and hollow her back whenever she has any contact in her mouth....We've been working very hard on it, and we've gotten her to go forward pretty well without becoming resistant to leg aids and she's even becoming more comfortable feeling the bit in her mouth when she goes forward. she's even getting lateral movements down very well, and we're working on stretching into the bit at the walk and trot. But we have to take a step backwards in our training when we ask her to go down a gait. Downward transitions are a nightmare because she shortens her neck, throws her head in the air, and suddenly there is no horse in your hands and it takes anywhere from 6 strides to another trip around the arena to stop her. I've tried everything I know and nothing is working. I don't know what she is anticipating when this happens. Maybe she's expecting too much hand, or she's expecting someone to bounce on her back really hard. I have no idea, but either way I have no idea how to make her stretch into the contact while we go down a gait, rather than fight it. She has a Myler level 1 bit, which the owner is switching to a French link soon (I don't know if it's a D ring or what it is). The Myler is a little too big on her. So that could be an issue, but she accepts it fine in forward work. And her saddle is fitted for her, so that shouldn't be an issue. And she's up to date on all other medical things, so she's not in pain anywhere. (Kymbre)
Hi Kymbre!
This is actually quite a common problem, to at least some degree. Many times a horse that has finally learned to reach into the connection will tend to regress in downward transitions. Read this article on maintaining the length of neck in transitions to read about how challenged the USET riders were with this, even with their top horses. Also read this article on the horse that tends to shorten its neck, for a full description of that problem in general, and some ideas on how to overcome it. And I would try to use... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer) Question # 194: My horse has become very heavy on the forehand. I have worked with 2 trainers, 1 dressage, 1 H/J and each has tried to show me different ways to stop her from pulling. One tells me to pull when she pulls back, the other says to hold......Now she has become SO terribly irritated that I can't even ride her at the walk without her pulling on me, chomping, and pinning her ears. It has come to the point where I don't know what to do. Just last week the H/J trainer put a flash noseband on her to keep her from putting her tongue over the bit and resisting, but now she has started rearing, grinding, chomping and pinning her ears when I put ANY pressure on her mouth. Or if I ask at all, she almost pulls me out of the saddle. I realize that it is MY fault that I have listened to trainers telling me to pull, jerk and see saw but now I don't know where to turn. So finally after all this, my question is what should I as a rider do? Or is it too late.. If you need more of an explanation please let me know. Thank you. P.S. her teeth were just examined by the vet, and she goes in a loose ring french link snaffle. (Anonymous)
Many riders instinctively pull back on the reins when they feel their horse becoming strong or heavy. And it is really sad to hear that you have actually been told to do so. All that will do is start a fight. As far as what to do at this point - it might be best to... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)Question # 193: My 15 yr old TB OTTB gelding gets strong at the canter and pulls down, especially on cross country.He goes in a loose ring french link for dressage, and for x-c I have him in a 2 ring elevator of the same mouthpiece, with a figure 8. He does not like poll pressure, so if I use the elevator on anything below the snaffle ring he gets really annoyed. Besides needing to work on our half halt and find a way to "let go" and not get into a pulling contest (still haven't figured that out!)..... are there any bits or bridles you have found more successful? He also chomps his teeth, more so when a little nervous. I'm thinking of trying a waterford, but afraid it might be too big for his mouth. Also, maybe a gag with both a snaffle rein and gag rein? (Anonymous)
Question # 190: Last year, my mare was a VERY solid Novice horse and I moved her up to Training level at the end of the season. She would take about 2-3 jumps to build her confidence and then there was literally nothing I could point her at she......wouldn't jump over on x-country. I even threw some prelim fences at her with no issues whatsoever. Along with the rest of the country, we had a really hard winter with not as much riding as I would like. I've jumped a few different times and my horse has been very good on every occasion. We've jumped at home, away from home, out in the field, etc. with no problems. I took her for her first cross-country schooling of this year yesterday, and she was very uncharacteristically stopping at fences. My Novice/almost training level horse was refusing even starter fences. And she was stopping HARD. She'd be very forward to pretty much the base of the fence, maybe sometimes a stride away, and then would just stop. Because of the slower start to the season I was planning on taking her Novice for her first event this year (about a month away), but now I am concerned about wasting my money even going if she can't get over a starter fence. Since both stadium and dressage don't seem to be a problem (or at least a money-losing one) my plan is to focus on cross country for a while and take her to the local "schooling ground" a few times, starting very small, and trying to build her confidence back up again. I'm wondering what your thoughts are? Does it sound like I maybe just tried too much too soon this year (I started the schooling rather small so I'm not sure what else I could do)? Should I maybe take her Beginner Novice instead of Novice? Any ideas/advice would be appreciated. Thanks! (Kayla)
Hi Kayla!
It is not all that unusual for horses (or riders) to find themselves back to sqaure one confidence wise after a long period of not going cross country. Although the extent to which you describe is unexpected. I think we can safely assume that she is not being bothered by a physical issue, like a minor soundness or new saddle fitting issue (from a possible loss of weight over the hard winter), since you say she is going so well in the other phases. So that leaves us with confidence issues. Perhaps you were a bit nervous and tentative yourself out there, since you hadn't done it in a while either? She may also have just been having a really bad day (being a mare, and all!) At any rate, what I would advise you doing is... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer) Question # 189: I have been riding this little 13.1h pony for this little girl at my barn for a few months now. She used to barrel race and does not know what slow is. She has gotten so much better since I first started riding her, but......she hates when I have the slightest contact. She does not even know what dressage means let alone contact. She runs through every single bit we put her in, right now she is in a kimberwick double jointed bit in the lowest slot. It works okay, but we are having some problems. Her teeth are fine and her saddle is fine and we have had the dentist come look at her and she is fine so we don't know what to do. What types of bits would you recommend? Also, she always rushes jumps and ducks her head way down. Even poles, she tries to skip the poles if they are "too close together" but if you place them farther apart she does a pony extended trot (over exaggerating a bit) and she just runs and pulls on the bit. She will be fine sometimes going towards the jump but after she pulls her head down and runs so what do you suggest? I am 5'1 so she listens better to me than the little girl riding her. When the little girl rides her she just takes advantage of her. Sorry I just joined today and have so many questions about this cute but naughty pony! Thanks! (Margaret)
Hi Margaret!
Gotta love the cute but naughty ponies, don't you? And those that have been started with speed events like barrel racing are often especially challenging! It sounds like you will have your work cut out for you! An article on bits is in the works, and should be up within the week. But I don't think the answer to your problem is a particular bit. I think you need to... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)Question # 188: I have a student who has a hard time seeing her leads while on the horse. I've tried to have her watch the front leading leg to see what lead it is, but she says she cannot see the legs at all. Her horse does have rather large shoulders, but I don't think it's to the point that it would be impossible to see the legs. Part of the issue is as of right now, her horse only picks up the left lead no matter which direction we're going. Since she can't see the leads, she can't tell. We've also started focusing on watching other horses while on the ground to have her see which lead they're on, and we're making progress here. My next step is to put her on a lunge line and have her focus on just even seeing the front legs at all gaits, but I was wondering if you had any other suggestions/exercises? Thanks! (Kayla)
Transitions are a very clear test of the quality of your connection. So when your horse comes above the bit in the transition to canter, she is telling you that her hind legs were not sufficiently up underneath her body, or she was not 100% through in her back at the time of the transition. Read this article on throughness for a full description on that quality, and read this article for an exercise to help increase your level of throughness. You will likely and hopefully find that after working on this exercise in the trot until you feel like it is going well, your transitions to canter are improved.
Young horses sure are fun, aren't they?? Many horses (especially TBs) seem to have a line that they cross sometimes... where they sort of "shut down". And when they cross that line they either become completely irrational, or they close themselves off and become unresponsive. Every horse is different in what works to help them cross back over that line, but what has worked the most for me (and I had a horse that did that a lot!) was to... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)Question # 184: How can I gauge whether or not my horse is becoming properly conditioned? Just don't want to assume they are because they do as I ask. (Joan) Hi Joan!
This is a great question! As some horses, particularly the hotter type, can give you a bit of a false reading as to how fit they actually are. If they don't actually tell you that they are tired and overworked for their level of fitness, how are you to know?? (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)Question # 183, and Video # 60: Member Laura sends in her question in a creative way! (Watch the video to see!)My 6yo OTTB who has been in a consistent 6 day per week program for 6 months has NO self preservation. Regardless of speed, gait, size or type of fence, he has no problem walking all over jumps, or even running right into them. He doesn’t STOP when he’s in trouble, he turns into a snow plow. I've tried everything I can think of, and it may be time to consider a career for him that doesn't involve solid obstacles. Here's a video I made. What do you think?? (Laura) (Click on Question and Video Title above (in blue) to read the answer to the question, and the critique of this video)
Question # 182: I know that riding and training AREN'T linear. I get that. But I'm really flummoxed about how to deal with the last year...Our show results are just like a total crap shoot these days. Things we used to have in the bag are questionable now. I used to be able to count on finishing on our dressage score, and we rarely had SJ rails and never X-C penalties. Some things are improving, but everything that we used to be able to count on seems now not necessarily there. I get the non-linearity of training (2 steps forward, 1 step back), but this feels like the inexplicableness of quantum mechanics!! Are we still progressing? We've been doing schooling dressage shows at 1st level rider test and level1 test 3 and earning high 60's but otherwise, it's hard to point at progress... (Briana)
Hi Briana!
I am sorry to hear that you and Henry have been having a tough time lately! I've always thought that one of the most fun things about the sport of Eventing, is that there are three completely different phases involved. But one of the frustrating things about the sport is that since there are three different phases, it is somewhat common for one phase to go a little downhill as you improve in another. While there is no proven logic behind this phenomenon, I have seen it happen many times. A rider will finally get that big breakthrough in Dressage, and then have an unusual stop on cross country. Or the rider will finally lick that problem with jumping corner fences on cross country, only to find that the Dressage isn't what it has been. Or on the weekend that you have a personal best in Dressage, and a great clean run on cross country, you uncharacteristicly have several rails down in the show jumping. It sucks! But that's what can happen when you have three very different sets of skills to work on. Here's what I would suggest: (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)Question # 181: This is a really weird question but...can I ever tighten my horse's girth too tight? (Emma) Hi Emma!
This is a great question! Because riders have always been taught to make that girth good and tight, to make sure the saddle won't slide. And the answer is... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)
Don't feel bad, this is one of the most common problems in riding, and especially Dressage! As humans, we are very hand orientated. And this has a very unfortunate effect on riders... causing them to often instincively bypass the other aids, and go to their hands first. We also often get baited by our horses to pull on the reins, as horses sometimes try to... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)Question # 179: How much weight should you have in your stirrups? (Kim) Hi Kim!
This is a common problem with young horses, to at least some degree. Being herd animals, they take comfort in the company of their friends. What you have to do is change the way your horse thinks of you. If you can get him to start to think of you as a member of his herd, and in fact his herd leader, you can re-direct his focus back to you. Once you have achieved that, your horse will begin to look to you for comfort when he is nervous or insecure. (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer) Question # 177: It seems like about half the time I go on a hack with my mare she is either perfectly behaved, or jigging, breaking into the trot, or breaking into the canter the entire time.She always seems to really enjoy herself, and has been behaving herself wonderfully when we are at home or even somewhere else as long as we are in an "arena". Do you have any suggestions to get her to just calm down and enjoy herself? (Kayla)
Horses tend to try to lean on the bit when their balance is too far forward. The bit then becomes somewhat of a "fifth leg" for them, to support the extra weight of their front end. They can, however, only use the bit for support if the rider lets them. So if you just keep holding that extra weight in your hands, you are enabling the problem. But what you don't want to do is something that I see happen all too often... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)Question # 175: I'm a new member to your site and am just loving watching all the videos and reading all the articles. I've learned a lot already! I do have a couple of questions for you.I haven't done much eventing, and what little I have done was 15 years ago or so. I'm looking to get back into it - I've always wanted to and I finally have the time/money/horses to do so. I am a professional in the hunter and jumper world and have shown at a lot of the high level shows (A and AA rated) run by USEF/USHJA. Does my professional status in the hunter/jumper ring affect what level I am allowed to enter in the eventing world? I would love to be able to take this year slow so I have the chance to figure out what I'm doing - maybe stick to beginner novice or novice level so my horses and I stay well within our comfort zone. But I don't want to step on anyone's toes or break any rules. I was also wondering if there is a resource for finding clinics in my area. I'm familiar with a couple of the local instructors and eventing barns, but haven't been able to find any info on clinics, etc. (Maybe it's just too early for them to have posted the info yet.) Thanks! (Kellyn)
Hi Kellyn!
Welcome back to the wonderful sport of Eventing! In the Eventing world, there are very few amateur and professional divisions. Usually you will find each level will offer an "open" division, a "horse" division, and a "rider" division. So if you are competing at the Novice level, you would have the option of entering Open Novice, Novice Horse, or Novice Rider. Open Novice would be open to everyone. Novice Horse means... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)
That's always frustrating when you feel like the improvement in your flatwork doesn't carry over into your jumping! First I want to make sure you have seen all of the posts on this site that deal with this subject. Read this one, and this one... both of which pertain to that exact problem. Since you say things are going much better in your flatwork, it sounds like you just need to find a way to apply what you have taught your horse to the jumping. Here's how to do that:
Horses can either come to the conclusion that flatwork and jumping are two entirely different things, or they can learn that jumping is flatwork with jumps in the way. What makes them learn one way or the other? (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer) Question # 171: How do you get a horse more collected? (Sophia) Hi Sophia!
That is a really good question! I think it certainly could! Anyone who tends to ride in a "chair seat" (with their legs out in front of them, and their weight falling backwards), needs to evaluate the balance of their saddle to make sure they are not fighting a losing battle when they are trying to fix this problem. (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)Question # 169: I really need help with my leg position! My issue is that my leg swings too far back in jumping, 2 point, and some transitions. I also lift my heel often. What happens in reality when I am jumping, is that I am slightly ahead of the motion, and I believe I am trying to avoid catching my horse in the mouth. I grip with my knees and my lower leg swings back. Upon landing, I can feel my knees lock slightly and I am standing in the stirrups. I know that I need good contact between the inside of my calf and the horse, and that my hips must go back in order to prevent my legs from coming too far back, and that I need to sink down and anchor in my heels. The problem is I don't know what to do with the rest of my position! I often feel like my knees are flapping in the breeze. Jumping also takes away the strong part of my position, my seat. Please help! (Anonymous)
After making sure that the horse has the proper nutrients to make for healthy hooves, the next biggest consideration becomes the external conditions that will so greatly affect them. The most difficult situation for horse's hooves is the wet/dry cycles that horses often have to deal with. The expansion and contraction that takes place when they go from standing in mud or on wet dewey moring grass, to standing in a stall on dry shavings, is often what causes all of the problems that you mention.
I realise it's a highly individual thing but a 'starting point' is what I'm after. Also, I'm in Australia, so if you could point me somewhere which explains the heights etc for your levels so that I can convert them back to 'Aussie' levels, that would be great. (Amelia)
Hi Amelia!
The US levels are as follows:
Beginner Novice: 2 ft 7 in (0.79 m) Novice: 2 ft 11 in (0.89 m) Training: 3 ft 3 in (1 m) Preliminary: 3 ft 7 in (1.09 m) Intermediate: 3 ft 9 in (1.14 m) Advanced: 3 ft 11 in (1.19 m)
Read this entry for a sample schedule for the US Novice level Event horse (which is just under your Preliminary level). This should give you a general idea for a basic training schedule for the lower level horse. Here is an entry that will outline the basic skills that you should have before doing Novice level. And here is an entry on when it is appropriate to move up to the next level. When you get to the Training level in the US (which is similar to the Pre-Novice level in Australia) most horses need some more serious conditioning work or "gallop sets" added to their program. (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)
This is a good question, that I bet a lot of riders wonder about, as it is not fully explained, is it? The answer is... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer) Question # 163: Johnny gets to begin real work again soon following a tie-back procedure. My vet advised me to "take it slow." I've been riding him at the walk to keep up at least some of his back muscling.Can you recommend a good slow start program for getting him back to work? Judging by our 'easy' ride yesterday, he's going to be fairly fresh, and I know now that he can breathe it will be difficult for me to figure out what his limits need to be initially. Normally I'd base my workouts off his recovery times, but he was fairly fit with a grade 4 roar...now that he can breathe, I'm guessing he's got a pretty good wind built up. Looking for an easy start and slow build program, and I'm betting you've got one on hand! Thanks! (Courtney)
This is a very common problem for riders to have in varying degrees. Some horses (such as yours) always seem to be looking for that fifth leg (your hands) to lean on for balance and support... and others just have minor instances of this problem during difficult movements and temporary moments of loss of balance. Your horse needs to learn to respond to half halts correctly, so that he can carry himself, instead of trying to use you for support. (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)Question # 161: I've read your article about different types of boots for the event horse. I currently have two pair of Woof neoprene boots, but am an the market for new boots (starting to wear out some). I have been happy with the quality of the boot thus far, but I've heard as you move up the levels (Prelim and above) the neoprene boots might not offer enough protection. Since my horse is currently going Training, I figured I might as well buy the boots for when we hopefully move up the levels. Or if she doesn't move up, for the next one who might. Anyway wondering what boots you would recommend for Prelim and above. Thanks very much! (Kayla)
Horses are amazingly adaptive! It is definitely not "absolutely necesary" to blanket horses in cold weather. As long as they are healthy and well fed, horses will adapt and grow a nice thick winter coat. Which will give them the ability to thermoregulate and adapt to constantly changing temperatures. Blanketing and clipping completely prevent the horse from being able to use their coats for that purpose. Once you do either, you must be diligent about changing blankets as the temperature changes, to make sure the horse is comfortable.
The question of whether or not to blanket will usually depend on... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)Question # 157: What do you think about flocking a saddle to account for rider or horse "unevenness"? (Current freebie!)After a lesson or riding session, my saddle always slips right and my right leg hangs longer than the left. Not sure if it is due from my physical left side weakness or if it is from the way my horse goes. My saddle fitter flocked both my jump and dressage saddles higher / firmer on the right to help keep me level. It does seem to help, but I am concerned whether this will be harmful to my horse. Slipping right can't be good for my horse but what about building up the saddle like this? Any suggestions? (Julie)
Well as you know, the free walk involves the horse stretching down and forward with his head and neck, marching with a longer stride and a clear overstep, but in a clear and even rhythm. The extended walk... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)
