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Post by Maes Seren on May 19, 2008 10:34:16 GMT
Going XC schooling with Gem some point this week ... ill stick boots etc on her, what should i do before hand to prepare her?
What kinda exercises can i do on her, she'll happily gallop about but im aiming for a steady pop.
Ive never gone XC on my horses before, any help??
Please??? ;D
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Post by maximum on May 19, 2008 11:32:56 GMT
bloody hell you are on a roll aren't you!!! is it a lesson you are having or are you just going on your own? the basis of cross country riding is much like any jumping in that you need a forward rhythm with impulsion and you need to ensure your own weight is back - getting in front of the movement is far more dangerous xc than sjing. start small and get her forward so she really feels like she is taking you to the fence, try not to get too hung up on seeing a stride, just come in a rhythm and it should be right. Its not about speed its about impulsion so you need to ensure she doesnt just gallop on and get on her forehand. when working in for xc I will always practice shortening and lengthining the canter stride without losing the rhythym or the impulsion. for drop fences get her right back on her hocks. in fact to start with best to trot to them. a few days before you go try some fences in the arena but dont sj them xc them so longer stride and bit more forward. have a look through these. you can do no better than Lucinda for xc teaching. uk.youtube.com/results?search_query=lucinda+green+clinic&search_type=&aq=3&oq=lucinda+gree |
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Post by Maes Seren on May 19, 2008 14:43:16 GMT
Thanks Maxi, yeah im going with my friend whos going a PN this weekend but needs to XC school her horse before he goes.
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Post by maximum on May 19, 2008 16:20:00 GMT
Thanks Maxi, yeah im going with my friend whos going a PN this weekend but needs to XC school her horse before he goes. she'll keep you right am sure |
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Post by Maes Seren on May 19, 2008 16:57:02 GMT
She'll be too worried about sorting him out, hes a nutty baby.
Think im going to take a lunge line with me, lead her over a few fences, before i actually hop on board to jump her.
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Post by maximum on May 19, 2008 17:10:16 GMT
She'll be too worried about sorting him out, hes a nutty baby. Think im going to take a lunge line with me, lead her over a few fences, before i actually hop on board to jump her. sounds like a plan!! just be careful where you stand! once you can see she will happily pop them it will give you much more confidence. Not sure going with 'nutty baby' first time is good idea but if it gets too much no shame in pulling out. |
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Post by Maes Seren on May 19, 2008 17:31:18 GMT
My idea is go all ready to jump, body protector etc, but take a lunge line, ill walk next to her and get her over them with me on the floor first time round (gives us both confidence) then ill hop on board and might have a pop over a few tiny fences.
No loss really if i dont jump, ill just go for the gallop round!
Stick her waterford snaffle in, or might borrow my friends pelham - shes strong to jump anyway, so id rather be safe than sorry!
Am looking forward to it, might see if another friend fancies the ride and takes job as photographer ... for the purpose of you guys of course! ;D
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arumanii
Apprentice Poo Picker
Posts: 360
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Post by arumanii on May 20, 2008 18:29:27 GMT
Yay! More photos! I do luv looking at photos!
N even if all you do is turn up n have a look at some of the fences ur usually boosting ur horses confidence about being near them or in strange places without having things go wrong! Never a wasted effort! Though perhaps you should head out with a more experienced horse sometime too? As then you can always let him lead over the fences you aren't so sure on. Or jump them first on him to get the right feel for the fence n idea of distances etc before asking Gem to do it with u if she's not been over it before...
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Post by Maes Seren on May 20, 2008 20:32:23 GMT
Yeah, maybe i should convince her to take her other horse out too, another day, for me to jump!
The baby shes taking will jump anything, he just gets a little excited to say the least.
Jumped her in a loose ring, straight bar happy mouth today and she was much calmer than in her hanging cheek, so might be buying it off her as she says shes got 2.
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Post by shearer on May 22, 2008 11:03:24 GMT
If in doubt shut your eyes and hold on tight! Always works for me  |
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Post by Maes Seren on May 23, 2008 16:14:28 GMT
Well, we went! Biatch to load both ways, but when we were there she was fab. Really worried about cantering round the field, so i took her for a gallop, and she relaxed. Saw a small step up, walked her up to it, she sniffed it then leapt up it. Went and dropped back down it in walk, before moving up to trot. Then moved to the set of 3, which we followed my friend up as Gem was very confused. She did really well, had a pop over other stuff, over ditches, and up and down drops under trees too. Then we attacked the water jump. I have a few pics of me riding in the water, will upload later, my stomach is complaining cos im starving. Started off walking thru a stream, which of course, she jumped, so we walked her thru it a few times, got her used to it, then moved to the smaller water, which we walked and trotted thru. Then, we did the drop in to and step up out of the water too! ;D In walk and trot, she was ace. Then moved to the big water jump, which Gem got even more confused at when i faced her at the big steps up out - about 2ft6 on both. So of course, Regan lead her up them first time, and she got the idea, after that she was loving it, up the big steps, and down the small steps! ;D Yes, i love my ponio, shes the best. One minor errrr moment when i asked for canter, she slammed her brakes on and reared up ... but that was quite early on, she relaxed soon after. Apart from that, and the loading, she was ace. Managed to leave my nice lunge whip in the car park though  Not happy about that, but its too far away to go all the way back unfortunately, just for a whip anyway. |
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Post by FirenLady on May 24, 2008 19:42:01 GMT
Awesome, I'm glad it went well for you today, can't wait to see the piccys!
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Post by Maes Seren on May 25, 2008 18:19:27 GMT
Piccies in the photo gallery. ;D
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Not happy about that, but its too far away to go all the way back unfortunately, just for a whip anyway.
