Releasing Over Fences

[subk]

I agree with everything that’s been said (I’m a neck strap prooter too, if it movers back it isn’t adjusted properly.) Another way to get at the problem is to also work on waiting in front of the fence. Focusing on the early opening of your upper body is fixing a symptom of the problem that is closing your hip angle too soon in front of the fence, since most people with the habit of opening up to early have folded into jumping position too early.

It’s a question of timing. You don’t initate the jumping position, it is initiated by the thrust of the the horse’s hind legs. A neat trick to feel the right moment and timing is to ride to a small fence and intentionally try to get left behind. It is highly unlikely you will be able to actually get left behind, but it can help you feel that extra moment of waiting and the difference of the correct timing.

No one has said it yet but you need to fix your timing issues schooling over small fences.

[TB_or_not_TB]

Everything on this thread has been great advice, but I would just add one more thing to consider. It may or may not be true for you. You say that you know you ride defensively, and also that your horse really uses himself over fences - do you consider your horse quite forward? A lot of riders begin riding defensively when their horse is a bit out of their comfort zone (for any reason - too exuberant over jumps, too hot, huge stride, or known behavioral issues). The inclination for the rider is to lengthen stirrups a hole or two, shorten the reins, and start sitting up early. Of course, this is exactly the opposite of what we “should” do! That’s not a comment on the rider’s ability, it’s just a subconscious defense mechanism of the body trying to protect itself.

If you have any notion that this might be you, you can start by looking at your leg. Chances are your stirrups are too long, and shortening them will give you a better base of support. The “ankle bone” measure isn’t universal. Now with your stirrups at the correct length, does your saddle still fit or is your knee trying to inch past the flap, or is the stirrup bar too far forward/back? You should be able to hold two-point at the trot with ease (your leg staying stable - not you fighting for it or trying to force your leg in the correct position).

Then, get comfortable with letting your horse move out. That doesn’t mean flat out galloping with a death grip, it means holding your two point without balancing on the reins and allowing the horse to use himself fully. If you’re not comfortable with a forward canter on a loose rein, that might be some of your problem (not saying this is you - I just see this surprisingly often!). If that’s fine, are you comfortable holding your position and letting your horse pop through a simple in and out at a forward pace? How about a whole course? If there is a confidence piece to work on, you may find hesitation in one of the above exercises. If you have a legitimate reason to ride defensively (rushing/bolting etc) ensure you’re doing an exercise that is appropriate for you. However, as you already know, the defensiveness makes all of the above worse, so building your confidence by having a strong base of support and knowing you can stay with your mount will help both of you relax and stay in sync.

[TBFAN]

I agree with the poster who suggested wrapping reins around the neck.
I had a clinician do this for me in stadium session and it was a HUGE improvement in my position. I really “couldn’t” make a mistake with my hand this way. It felt really insecure for me, as I could really only steer, but my horse was completely relieved and jumped a million times better when I couldn’t fuss with him.

[McVillesMom]

^^ This. Classic Jimmy Wofford fix for this problem.

[RideASelle]

Thanks all! I did some grillwork and also a few single fences today and he was great! I wrapped my reins around his neck and it was a bit strange, but worked very well. Grabbing mane and forcing myself to stay there worked super! We only got up to around 3’6", but was able to stay with him much more easily.
TB: I have a bit of a defensive seat because I’ve had a few bad falls that included many broken poles and standards. Still trying to get over the nasty habits developed from that!

[runNjump86]

Seriously, if you really want to feel what it’s like to close your hip and release, tie your stirrups too!

[Foxtrot_s]

Common problem. Is he jumping you out of the tack, or are you just not staying put on landing?

Falling back in the saddle before the horse has landed will (may) cause you rails in the stadium if you sit down too soon so he drops his hind end.

Personally, I’m a mane grabber from way back, and also because I often didn’t put on a neck strap, The mane is always there.

[Foxtrot_s]

Richard Meade just died sadly, but I did a clinic with him back in the day, and can still hear his voice, repeatedly “Allow”, “Allow” over each fence. He must have got sick of not seeing much improvement - slow learner I guess,but it just didn’t come right away. However, when I taught my kids, that is one thing I impressed on them and can honestly say they never snatch a horse in the mouth. Thanks, Richard.

[CactusFlower]

Surprised this hasn’t been mentioned yet. Have you ever seen someone drive a carriage? They usually hold their reins a different way than riders do, almost “upside down” if you will. The rein goes from the horse’s mouth, between the pinky and ring fingers, and then the bight goes under the thumb and hangs over the top.

Ride around with your reins like this and you’ll notice your hands moving a TON, especially at the walk and canter. This method of holding the reins gives you a lot less strength with which to resist or pull back. Try going over some small grids with a driving rein like this and you’ll find that you can’t hit your horse in the mouth as easily. Your butt may fall back, but your hands will likely be pulled forward. It’s not ideal, as there’s still a bit of pressure, but it’s a good way to separate your hands from your body.

Another way of separating the hands from the body: Move your butt back as far as you can without moving your shoulders back at all. Do this on the flat first. You’ll notice your hands moving out in front of you as you try to keep your balance.

[mpsbarnmanager]

@Duckz

I agree, a neck strap is a life saver for both rider and horse! Mine is an old stirrup leather buckled to itself and reinforced with electric tape. It’s been a super helpful on my green ottb when he gets looky over a jump and goes BOING! It gives me the same feel of holding onto the reins but without yanking my horse’s mouth. I’ve been a mane grabber all my life but now I’m a neck strap convert

Where do you put the neck strap? Higher than a martingale strap? I struggle as well with a defensive, slightly behind the motion posture that leads to me not closing my hip angle enough and being too upright, opening too soon on landing. So frustrated!

[foggythistle]

Something else that might help is shortening your stirrups a hole (or 2), and allowing your weight to really sink into your heels. If you’re perching on your toes, that isn’t going to help your stability any. A lot of riders, me included, tend to jump with our stirrups a little too long. When I shortened my stirrups, and practiced not gripping with my knees, and worked on getting maintaining my position without my reins on the flat, and hanging on to the neck strap, that’s when I became able to follow my back cracker.

[findeight]

OP posted this 4 years ago and probably long since solved the problem.

But the neck strap, often a spare stirrup leather, goes around the neck right where the martingale strap would be. Should be loose enough to easily get fingers under, not so loose an arm or leg can get under it.

[RAyers]

@findeight

OP posted this 4 years ago and probably long since solved the problem.

But the neck strap, often a spare stirrup leather, goes around the neck right where the martingale strap would be. Should be loose enough to easily get fingers under, not so loose an arm or leg can get under it.

I will still yell at them to slip the reins on XC.

[Foxtrot_s]

Also, if the rider sits up too early, they will land in the saddle just when the horse needs the freedom to clear the fence with their hind feet - bum bumps down into the saddle = rail falls.

[jump4it]

Have you tried riding with driving reins? This helped me a lot!