• be focused
• have a plan
• understand the questions the course is asking.

It is not always about jumping clear, although the jumps have to be left standing.  Sometimes the question is the turn, the inside turn, the long run to a vertical or sharp turn to the oxer. Analyzing the course is part of the course walk.

Step 1. Know the Course

If necessary copy the course from the ingate so you do not get lost. Believe me, people get lost. This is another reason why walking the course is so important, you plan your ride and ride your plan.

Step 2. Start at the Start.

Right from the ingate. Or even how you will get from the warm up ring to the ingate. By beginning right fro the ingate you can plan your best approach for your first obstacle, therefore setting up the whole round.

Know where the start/finish line is. AND, and this is important, where you can circle so not to start the timers, or conversely how to approach so you will start the timers. I have seen time and again, young or novice riders come in the jumper ring, circle in front of the first fence, to get a better approach, and break the electronic eye to start the timer. Then they wonder why they get time faults!

Step 3. Walk as if You Are Riding

This is important. Do not just stroll around, gabbing with friends. This is the time to focus and visualize which route you will take. Inside turns, options and footing should be considered. If there are options, investigate all of them and choose your best path suited to your horse.

Step 4. Determine Distances

Okay, you know if your horse has a 12 ft stride, 13 ft stride or a 10 foot stride. So determine if there are related distances. Then walk the line to get your distances and stride lengths.

Step 5. Know Your Horse and Know The Course

As you are walking imagine the course as if you were riding. Sit up here, leg on, outside rein. Coach yourself through any issues you may have. If you anticipate a challenge at any fence visualize and feel the horse jumping over each and every fence.

Walking the course is a vital part of your show ring preparation. Before you step into the competition arena, give yourself a fighting chance by walking the course properly.

Related articles

• Anatomy of a Hunter Round Part 1 – The Start
• Hunter Judging, Don’t Beat a Good Horse With a Bad HOrse
• Recovering From A Show
• Show Ring Savvy – Give the Judge What They Want to See

Take Precautions When Riding Along the Road (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Remember when riding you are considered part of the motor vehicle act and you should be riding on the same side of the road as vehicles. For example, pedestrians walk facing traffic, while horseback riders should ride with the flow of traffic.
Where we live there is not much traffic and we ride on the right hand side of the road as if we are ‘vehicles’.

Stay at a safe distance from the horse in front. This means no crowding. If your horse feels crowded then it may get nervous.

Be seen. This is very important. Wear a reflective vest so cars can see you. And even a reflective blanket/sheet for the horse.

It does take a bit of education.

Wearing reflective clothing helps identify you, as a rider, as a possible hazard. I know in my neck of the woods, horses are not too common and some drivers do not slow down as much as I would like. They often drive by slowly and then accelerate. This sometimes sends small stones up, which spooks the horses. Wearing a reflective vest will help keep the cars slower for longer and make them realize they do have to be cautious around the horses.

Training Your Horse to Be Safe on the Road

All of my horses have been safe on the road because we have our pastures adjacent to the road and I have taken the time to train them not to be afraid of traffic.

One instance a truck with a (noisy) hay wagon was being pulled along the road. I recognized this as a disaster waiting to happen. So I got the driver to slow down and had a chat with him. All the while the horses were trying to munch on the hay debris left on the hay wagon. So as I chatted with the driver I let the horse sniff and eat the hay off the wagon. Crisis averted and more importantly – it turned out into a positive experience.

Have you ever taken the time to teach your horse a vehicle is something positive? I have, in the past, taken a green horse out and have had a friend drive my vehicle beside the horse. At different points along the road I would have the driver of the vehicle stop and feed the horse a treat from the vehicle. This way the horse associates the vehicle with something positive.

What have you done to encourage safe riding along the road?

Related articles

• First, Plan Your Ride. Then, Be Ready To Scrap It.
• Trouble Shooting – Expert Advice to Avoid Refusals
• British horse riders told not to wear ‘polite’ bibs; asshole bibs still under review [Unlikely]
• Horse-riding goats common occurrence, owner says

Some Light Reading For Your Weekend (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

• This is for all of you who have ever dreamed of having your picture in the Practical Horseman magazine for a critique! Horse nation does/did a spoof on George Morris and  his ‘jumping clinic’ – just click here or copy and paste the link into your browser – http://www.horsenation.com/2013/05/14/bad-jumping-clinic-with-george-morris/#comment-20739
• This person clearly spends time training her horses and herself. Tell me what you think about this video http://youtu.be/4Ri2amI5nQo
• What’s your take on ‘bling’ in the ring? http://www.proequinegrooms.com/index.php/blog/my-blog/my-thoughts-on-bling/

Establish a Solid Jumping Position (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Establish your Jumping Position

Finding a balance in your riding position over fences is like finding the ‘sweet spot’ of hitting a base ball. You know you have it when you have it. Everything clicks together. You are balanced over your base of support, your legs and seat, and you can feel yourself moving in balance with the horse.

It does take time, practice and effort to achieve the right balance. Luckily, there are many exercises which you can do to assist you.

Exercises

1. At the halt, experiment with your position. Start off at the halt and get in your 2-point. Establish your regular position and gently roll your weigh off your seat onto your lower leg and calf.
   • Can you maintain your balance?
   • Does the same amount of weight stay in your heel or do you roll the weight into your thigh and knee?
   • Do you balance on the reins or fall back into the saddle.

   Your lower leg is the foundation of your jumping/2-point position. Drop your weight down and keep your weight deep within your heel and calf. Most people grip with their thighs and which does not allow for a deep seat and heel. Keep your thighs, knees and ankles relaxed to act as shock absorbers.

2. Let go of the reins and put your hands:
   • Out like wings.
   • Above your head.
   • Down by your knees.

   Can you still maintain your balance? Keep practicing until you can move your hands and arms without any disturbance of your position.

3. Move from halt to walk, walk to trot in 2-point.
   The change in movement of the horse is great practice on how to maintain your balance and position. If you fall back and/or use the reins to balance on your horse’s mouth, then grab mane or use a neck strap to prevent your seat from falling back on the horse’s back.
4. Make riding in 2-point part of your regular routine. You don’t have to be jumping to practice your jumping position. Some other exercises may be:
   • Ride in 2-point down the long side and rising trot on the short side (and vise-versa).
   • Try a 3 loop serpentine doing rising trot on loop 2 and 2-point on loops 1 and 3. Or even a 4 loop serpentine alternating between 2-point and 3-point.
   • Use your 2-point over trot rails.

These are just some exercises you can do. If you have an excellent exercise you would like to share with us, then please write a comment and send it to us. We’d love to hear from you.

Related articles

• Trouble Shooting – Expert Advice to Avoid Refusals
• Trouble Shooting Your Walk- Using Placing Poles to Establish Your Walk
• First, You Must Learn to do Nothing
• Workout Mashup
• Horse play