Photos

(Click on Photo Title above to read the critique of this photo)

Hi Ellen!

I see a few issues here, that are likely contributing to the fact that your horse isn't naturally engaging his hind legs and carrying more weight behind... (Click on Photo/Question Title above to read the rest of the answer, and the critique of this photo.)

Is there any chance you can tell me how to fix this obnoxious habit, and perhaps what might be causing it? I have a hard time keeping my right hand closed, and even though my reins are the same length (they’re laced, so I can count the lacing on each side), my right one inevitably feels too long, and my arm gets stupid. 😂 Is it just a bad habit, or a posture issue, or ...? Also, are my hands, even my left, too low? (Kayla) 

Hi Kayla!

Your bad habit is one that many riders struggle with! Hands that turn downward like your what your right hand is doing here make the connection feel rigid to the horse. Even if your arm is relaxed, your horse will feel the "block" where your wrist begins to turn downward. And when horses feel this block, they will invariably stiffen and resist. So this is definitely a habit that you need to break!

One of the best ways for you to beat this problem is to... (Click on Photo/Question Title above to read the rest of the answer, and the critique of this photo.)

Hi Kayla!

First of all, I'm glad that you had so much fun at your hunter pace! Those are always so much fun and such a great experience for both horse and rider. And they are getting harder and harder to find, unfortunately. I'm glad you have access to one! Now, onto your question!

I think you will find all of the answers that you are looking for in this article on the horse that drifts when jumping. But there is something that I also want to mention that shows up in this series of photos.... (Click on Photo/Question Title above to read the full answer and critique of these photos.)

(Click on Photo Title above to read the critique of this photo)

My horse tends to drop his knees (like in the attached picture) over fences. He doesn't ALWAYS do this, but I have been finding he has been doing it more frequently. It usually when he chips in and adds a stride, which I'm guessing is due to a canter lacking enough impulsion? I'm having a hard time getting him to have enough forward energy without letting him get fast and flat. Do you have any exercises to work on to help fix this? (Rachel) (Click on Photo Title above (in blue) to read the answer and critique of this photo)

I am concerned about my position going over solid xc fences. In the first picture, I feel like I am too far forward - my shoulders are further forward than my knees and it kind of looks like I am laying on his neck. But then in the second picture, it looks as if I am already lightly sitting in the saddle mid jump. So then that leads me to think that if my shoulders were farther back during the take off, I would have ended up getting left way behind and pulling on his face mid jump? (Rachel)