Dropping the back legs over a fence?

amira_rox · 11-06-2009, 01:56 AM

Today I free lunged Doopda over a fence about 85 cm high. He was a really good boy and the height didn't seem to bother him in the sense of him getting nervous (yeah I know that it isn't really that high, but it LOOKED high, lol!).
But on a few occasions I noticed that while he cleared the jump easily with his front legs, he wasn't lifting his back legs enough and would end up bringing down the pole. Other than that his form was lovely, rounded, stretching his neck forward and tucking up his front legs, but I was just wondering if there is any secret to getting him to lift his back legs, or if it will just come with time. I'm sure there are heaps of grid exercises I could do, so lay em on me!

(Note: the fence was very empty other than a the ground line and the pole, will a more solid looking fnece help? Also, we unfortunatly do not have an enclosed arena so he was jumping in our 30m roundyard, therefore on a circle, could this have made any difference?

Roleysnewmom · 11-06-2009, 07:00 AM

I would start with crossrails and use solid wood poles. They're not going to hurt him, but they will convince him that the poles aren't as easily knocked down as plain old PVC poles for instance. The cross rails will make him aim for the middle and will give him an easy break by being a little lower in the middle. Continue using a ground pole as well. I asked a similar question yesterday, whether it was okay or not to lunge-jump in a round pen, haven't checked back yet to see if there were any concerns..

I'd say yes, grid exercises should help, but I'd think they're going to be pretty difficult to do in a round pen vs. a straight length of space.

amira_rox · 11-06-2009, 02:33 PM

Oh, yeah we have a flat area for jumping and an arena marked out with tyres so I can ride him over grids, its just not enclosed so I wouldn't be able free lunge him there, or he would run off, lol

We do use wooden poles too

thanks

tbtrainer · 11-06-2009, 02:34 PM

Is he taking of in the correct spot? Try a ground pole space about 9 feet before the jump, that will help with his takeoff and make him use himself correctly.

11-06-2009, 01:56 AM	#1
amira_rox Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Behind you! Posts: 1,116 Images: 20	Dropping the back legs over a fence? Today I free lunged Doopda over a fence about 85 cm high. He was a really good boy and the height didn't seem to bother him in the sense of him getting nervous (yeah I know that it isn't really that high, but it LOOKED high, lol!). But on a few occasions I noticed that while he cleared the jump easily with his front legs, he wasn't lifting his back legs enough and would end up bringing down the pole. Other than that his form was lovely, rounded, stretching his neck forward and tucking up his front legs, but I was just wondering if there is any secret to getting him to lift his back legs, or if it will just come with time. I'm sure there are heaps of grid exercises I could do, so lay em on me! (Note: the fence was very empty other than a the ground line and the pole, will a more solid looking fnece help? Also, we unfortunatly do not have an enclosed arena so he was jumping in our 30m roundyard, therefore on a circle, could this have made any difference? __________________ Miley Cyrus was voted worst celebertiy influence 2009. Finally there is justice We've all got a gun against our head. Its just a matter of when life decieds to pull the trigger.

11-06-2009, 07:00 AM	#2
Roleysnewmom Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 347 Images: 12	I would start with crossrails and use solid wood poles. They're not going to hurt him, but they will convince him that the poles aren't as easily knocked down as plain old PVC poles for instance. The cross rails will make him aim for the middle and will give him an easy break by being a little lower in the middle. Continue using a ground pole as well. I asked a similar question yesterday, whether it was okay or not to lunge-jump in a round pen, haven't checked back yet to see if there were any concerns.. I'd say yes, grid exercises should help, but I'd think they're going to be pretty difficult to do in a round pen vs. a straight length of space. __________________ ~Shake Rattle n Role (Roley Poley)~ 10yr old 16hh National Show Horse gelding

11-06-2009, 02:33 PM	#3
amira_rox Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Behind you! Posts: 1,116 Images: 20	Oh, yeah we have a flat area for jumping and an arena marked out with tyres so I can ride him over grids, its just not enclosed so I wouldn't be able free lunge him there, or he would run off, lol We do use wooden poles too thanks __________________ Miley Cyrus was voted worst celebertiy influence 2009. Finally there is justice We've all got a gun against our head. Its just a matter of when life decieds to pull the trigger.

11-06-2009, 02:34 PM	#4
tbtrainer Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 7,849 Images: 450	Is he taking of in the correct spot? Try a ground pole space about 9 feet before the jump, that will help with his takeoff and make him use himself correctly. __________________ *http://www.freewebs.com/pilotscovefarm/index.htm* *"My treasures do not clink together or glitter; They gleam in the sun and neigh in the night."* *In my experience, the best way to slow down a runaway horse is to bet on it...*

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