Hunter under saddle classes are a great opportunity to create obedience in your horse on the flat. This checklist goes over all the basics, as well as covering a few tips and tricks that will help you place higher and give you both more enjoyment.
Choosing a Prospect
- Even top-line
- Low hocks
- High withers
- Sloped shoulder
- Level neck
Position in the Saddle
- Shoulders back
- Sit up straight and tall
- It is ok for your knees to come off of your saddle a bit
- Keep your hands in the “show box”, which is an imaginary square from the pommel of the saddle to a couple of inches in front and to each side of his withers
- Thumbs forward, wrists up
- Practice in a western saddle, as it is easier for you to find your seat there
Lessons to Improve Movement
Walk
- Resist in your hips and seat to slow down
- Squeeze with your legs for forward motion
Trot
- Start by sitting the trot to get the step that you want
- When you get the stride that you want start posting
- Post slowly
- Squeeze each time you sit to speed up your trot
- You want a long smooth stride
- Keep your hands steady
- Don’t over bridle your horse
Canter
- Sit back and slightly resist the motion
- Flex his neck both directions, then release for a low neck on loose reins
- Do a turn on the forehand to the inside of the rail before loping off
- Slow your body, sit up straight, shoulders up and back
- Squeeze your horse up into the bridle
- Sit back, open your hips, and let your horse flow out in front of you
- Remember this is not the canter for hunter hack there are different positions for different classes
Exercises and Tips
- Bend the head to each side then release when the horse is soft for a low headset
- Leg yield at all gaits
- Keep your horse focused on you by making him work by whatever distracted him, then releasing him and letting him move forward when he is relaxed and listening
Show Pen Strategies
- Look professional
- Groom your horse thoroughly, your horse needs to look professional as well
- Braid the mane, if you aren’t good at braiding hire someone who is
- Know your horse and how much preparation he needs
- Watch the classes before yours to know what is expected of you and your horse from that particular judge
- Don’t change what you have been practicing when you see someone doing something different in the warm up pen
- Stick to your plan
- Find where the judge will stand in the arena, then start your warm up according to his location
- By knowing where the judge is you can see the places where you can fix problems without him seeing, or get your horse preforming his best right in front of the judge
- Go into the class confidently
- Always look where you are going and find the best place for your horse to be seen
- Leg yield through traffic so your horse’s headset won’t change
- Separate yourself in the ring as much as possible so the judge can see you