To achieve a great position all of the parts need to work together to properly balance you on the horse, while also creating a beautiful picture. Continue reading Strengthen Your Position For Jumping
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Sending On The Lunge Line
Teaching the horse to send between, through, onto, and over things allows you to maneuver him wherever you like. It is also the foundation for trailer loading, and prepares him for obstacles that he will encounter under saddle. Continue reading Sending On The Lunge Line
Groundwork: Backing Up
Teaching the horse to back up on cue is helpful for moving him out of your space, positioning him during groundwork or in cross ties, among other things. Continue reading Groundwork: Backing Up
Lunging: Yield The Hindquarters
Meaningful lunging is another great exercise essential to horse training. But chasing your horse in circles is not, there needs to be a purpose to all of your training. Continue reading Lunging: Yield The Hindquarters
Trotting Grids
Now that you are comfortable with the sensation of jumping over a single obstacle, it’s time to move on to multiple obstacles in a row also called a grids or grid work. Grid work prepares you for jumping full courses; it also develops your position, helps you learn to find the correct distance to each jump, and helps your horse’s rhythm and shape in the air. Continue reading Trotting Grids
Two Point and Cross Rails
Two-point position keeps you close to the saddle but off your horse’s back as he gallops and jumps. In this position you will be over your horse’s center of gravity and in correct balance for jumping. Once you can get into and stay in a two-point, it is time to start going over small cross rails. Cross rails are the easiest obstacle for your horse to jump. Continue reading Two Point and Cross Rails
Stirrup Adjustment and Ground Poles
Now that you can easily jump your horse on the ground at both a trot and canter it is time to move on to under saddle work. To begin tack the horse up and do some groundwork, adding a few jumps to remind him of your previous lessons. Continue reading Stirrup Adjustment and Ground Poles
Groundwork For Jumping
Anything from classy hunters to speedy jumpers there is a place for nearly all horses and riders who want to try jumping. Unfortunately, jumping can be turned into a dreaded exercise for your horse and sometimes even you. Here I will suggest some tips and exercises that will keep the time you spend jumping easy and successful. Continue reading Groundwork For Jumping
Problem Solving: Biting
Biting can mean a variety of actions. Horses are known to bare their teeth, swing their head with an open mouth, nip at your clothes, beg you for treats with his face in your pocket, nibble on you, and everything else around the barn. Continue reading Problem Solving: Biting
Pre-Ride Groundwork
Groundwork is very important, but lots of people over look it. Without groundwork you can’t tell what kind of mood your horse is in each day; you’re taking the chance that he may buck, rear, or spook. Now I’m not going to say that those things are never going to happen they just have a much more unlikely chance that they will when you prepare your horse to be ridden. Continue reading Pre-Ride Groundwork