[Fancy's Joe]

Whats the difference between a crest release, floating release and automatic release ? (pictures would help)

Thanks =]

[pippy]

Floating release is where the hands don't push into the neck of the horse but it still near the crest of the horse: just floating above in the air
http://www.horsegroomingsupplies.com...fRachel011.jpg


The automatic release is where there is still a straight line from elbows to the bit and doesn't follow the crest:
http://www.horsegroomingsupplies.com...2/0/akrugh.jpg

The crest release is where the hands are pushing into the neck/crest.
http://www.horsegroomingsupplies.com...8/dsc01505.jpg

A floating is still considered a crest release as the hands are near the crest but not a "true" crest release.

hope that helps.

[Moon Horse05]

when/where are they used?

[pippy]

Anytime your jumping

Sorry, the automatic is used in any jumping by those who like to use it as it allows more freedom of the horses neck.

The crest release is used by most people as it offers them somewhere to gain some support if they lose balance or something over the jump. The floating release is just where someone has done a crest but not pushing the hands in - i don't know if there is a specific use or why to the use of it? Someone else might be able to answer this better than me

[jumpthemoon]

The term floating means an improper crest release. It is not something to be practiced.

Here is an example of a short crest release and a long crest release:

[shyxpony]

Originally Posted by jumpthemoon

Here is an example of a short crest release and a long crest release

So... which one are you supposed to use?

[JumpingBean]

Originally Posted by pippy

Anytime your jumping

Sorry, the automatic is used in any jumping by those who like to use it as it allows more freedom of the horses neck.

The crest release is used by most people as it offers them somewhere to gain some support if they lose balance or something over the jump. The floating release is just where someone has done a crest but not pushing the hands in - i don't know if there is a specific use or why to the use of it? Someone else might be able to answer this better than me

There is no time or place when a floating crest release is appropriate or correct. It is a distortion and a flaw, nothing more.

Originally Posted by shyxpony

So... which one are you supposed to use?

Depends on the horse, the rider, the type of jump, and how the horse and rider got to the jump. There is no hard and fast "You use this here, and that there" way to break it down. A novice rider is generally best off with a long release. A more skilled rider uses whichever is best suited to the circumstance.

[drssg]

I'm not a jumping expert, but when I've heard BNTs lecture on the subject, they've stated that the correct method is to maintain a straight line from the elbow to the bit (described as automatic release above).

Intuitively, one of the most critical aspects is that the rider avoids using the reins to assist with the rider's balance. If the rider isn't skilled enough to do that, then I would think a crest release would be a reasonable trade off. Or maybe work on balance.

[Fancy's Joe]

Oh ok, so floating release=bad?

[jumpthemoon]

Originally Posted by Fancy's Joe

Oh ok, so floating release=bad?

There is no such thing as a release called the floating release. Floating the hands may or may not be a bad thing. A well done crest release involves the hands being slightly pressed on the horse slightly below the crest on the horse's neck. If you can find some copies of Practical Horsemen magazine and read George Morris's column you will see lots of examples of this.