Balancing act!

Solly Jumper · 10-01-2007, 01:14 PM

When I was going around the courses on Saturday at the show, I felt like Will was getting pretty quick on me and at points it felt unbalanced, which is really uncomfortable if he ends up on the wrong lead.

So, I have a couple questions:

What should I do to balance him when this happens?
What should I be doing over the jump to make sure he lands on the proper lead?

The woman who was coaching at the show tried to explain it, but I honestly wasn't pay that much attention because I was nervous about my courses.

JBandRio · 10-01-2007, 02:00 PM

Half-halts to balance him on the flat.

Teaching the horse to land on a lead you ask for in the air isn't a lot different from teaching leads on the flat. You may have to exaggerate your body and the position of the jump to make it quite clear to him what you are asking, with the goal being to work towards finessing it. Outside leg, bend in the new direction, outside rein supporting. The exaggeration is often to really use your new inside rein in a very direct, leading manner. Not pulling back, not pulling the head, but wide and leading. You should exaggerate your look in the new direction too as that will shift your hips. Make sure you do not jump up his neck over the jump, that you do not lean one way or the other, that you do not unlevel your shoulders, etc.

Got it?

Solly Jumper · 10-01-2007, 07:14 PM

Perfect! Thanks so much for your help, I'll try that in my next lesson.

magic_rider · 10-02-2007, 01:53 AM

looking where you want to go and using inside leg helps over the jump, to balence him, lot's of half halts and if he gets over exited circle or stop and reverce befor finnishing the course.

Showrider · 10-02-2007, 02:26 AM

Yeah my pony tries to throw me off balance.. I just look up where I'm going, half halts leg, etc etc.

Just treat the whole course like a dressage workout- worked for me!

SR.

Solly Jumper · 10-02-2007, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magic_rider

looking where you want to go and using inside leg helps over the jump, to balence him, lot's of half halts and if he gets over exited circle or stop and reverce befor finnishing the course.

I can't circle/stop in the middle of the course - is that what you meant? You have to circle at the end of a hunter course.

10-01-2007, 01:14 PM	#1
Solly Jumper Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ottawa, ON, CA Posts: 3,854 Images: 189 Blog Entries: 3	Balancing act! When I was going around the courses on Saturday at the show, I felt like Will was getting pretty quick on me and at points it felt unbalanced, which is really uncomfortable if he ends up on the wrong lead. So, I have a couple questions: What should I do to balance him when this happens? What should I be doing over the jump to make sure he lands on the proper lead? The woman who was coaching at the show tried to explain it, but I honestly wasn't pay that much attention because I was nervous about my courses. __________________ To ride a horse is to ride the sky

10-01-2007, 02:00 PM	#2
JBandRio Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NC Posts: 23,722 Images: 145 Blog Entries: 12	Half-halts to balance him on the flat. Teaching the horse to land on a lead you ask for in the air isn't a lot different from teaching leads on the flat. You may have to exaggerate your body and the position of the jump to make it quite clear to him what you are asking, with the goal being to work towards finessing it. Outside leg, bend in the new direction, outside rein supporting. The exaggeration is often to really use your new inside rein in a very direct, leading manner. Not pulling back, not pulling the head, but wide and leading. You should exaggerate your look in the new direction too as that will shift your hips. Make sure you do not jump up his neck over the jump, that you do not lean one way or the other, that you do not unlevel your shoulders, etc. Got it? __________________ - JB Acres, owned and operated by Dynamite animals. - It's a wonder horses as a whole don't just kill us all and be done with their misery. - Keep your voice soothing and low - even when things get western (buck1173) - You can't hit me with all those snowballs!

10-01-2007, 07:14 PM	#3
Solly Jumper Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ottawa, ON, CA Posts: 3,854 Images: 189 Blog Entries: 3	Perfect! Thanks so much for your help, I'll try that in my next lesson. __________________ To ride a horse is to ride the sky

10-02-2007, 02:26 AM	#5
Showrider Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Down Unda, Mate! Posts: 1,284 Images: 79	Yeah my pony tries to throw me off balance.. I just look up where I'm going, half halts leg, etc etc. Just treat the whole course like a dressage workout- worked for me! SR. __________________ Against Slaughter. For responsible breeding.

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10-02-2007, 01:53 AM	#4
magic_rider Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,194 Images: 50	looking where you want to go and using inside leg helps over the jump, to balence him, lot's of half halts and if he gets over exited circle or stop and reverce befor finnishing the course.