Tackling technical XC fences?

[Ajierene]

[QUOTE=bornfreenowexpensive;7953805]
I guess in my opinion, that is more of a rider issue. I really have not ever found that having a standard or not made a difference to the horse really. What makes riding corners hard for people is finding and holding the line. If you practice jumping fences on an angle, and can hold a line, generally jumping a corner is not a problem.[/QUOTE]

While I understand what you are saying, it helps the person to not have standards as well, as they help define the line.

We use those plastic blocks and short poles to make skinnies.

http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=4961dff7-6c65-4b68-be89-75d2f02009b0&sfb=1&itemguid=919e9c6c-75c5-45e7-9181-dd088af1965e&utm_content=37143&ccd=IBSE0001&utm_source=BingAds&utm_medium=shopping&mr:referralID=6a7ffcb9-9c14-11e4-ac6c-001b2166c2c0

We have two sets, so can set them at varying heights. Some students that jump through a skinny with regular standards find they are running out at first when those standards are not helping them focus.

Similar would be a good idea for corners. Also, my trainer told me to ride the lower level (Novice and training) corners like a regular jump. Focusing on the jump being a plain jump rather than a corner helped me focus on jumping in the center rather then ‘well, one side is wider, one is more narrow, so this that, other thing, gah, we went past it!’

Probably something that will need addressing before Prelim, but she is right that at Training and Novice those corners are barely an angle.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

[QUOTE=Ajierene;7957741]
While I understand what you are saying, it helps the person to not have standards as well, as they help define the line.

.[/QUOTE]

But not when you are first learning. IF you can do it easily with standards and are bored and looking for more of a challenge…sure, go find a barrel to make your corner. But when teaching a horse and rider how to jump more technical fences…it is not where I would start (being worried about jumping a barrel or without guide line of a standard or more). It is just my experience that having the standards do not do as much as people seem to think…as I find those that start with them, haven no issue once we go without…so start with them.

That said, I start jumping narrow fences with my horses right away. From the first jump school, I’m working on holding a line to any jump (I just may not always succeed ;). I’ll also start jumping fences on a slight angle VERY early on. Also jumping fillers like flowers and liverpools. All for the same reason. It makes it easier as they move up the levels.

[merrygoround]

The other point to make clear, is that you must see the line, and ride it, and hold him to it.

[akor]

If you use barrels for ANYTHING, be certain, very certain, that they are secured. (As in will NOT roll if the horse hits them). I used to use barrels “a lot”, but as all things with horses, once you “see” the horrible consequences of what seems like a normal risk, I don’t use them unless I have taken extra precautions. And, as much as i 'like" the idea of standing them on end for accuracy, i can’t imagine doing it anymore, as I don’t quite know how to fix them.

[ACMEeventing]

Here is the corner jump cup I was talking about:

[ACMEeventing]

^^^
I have no idea why it loaded sideways. Sorry.

[merrygoround]

[QUOTE=FoxyRoxy1507;7957590]
When I used to ride with Ralph Hill, to get horses used to skinnies and corners if they had issues was to add wings to the replicated jumps but set up as SJ fences, and then to deviate from that a little incorporate other materials than just standard rails/poles. This will help create a chute for the horse and teach them that this is the desired action.[/QUOTE]

He must have gotten kinder in his old age. :lol:

[Sticky_Situation]

You can also incorporate skinnies into grids and gymnastic exercises … It’s a great way to learn straightness and accuracy!

[vineyridge]

Offsetting two or three normal show jumps so there is only one small alley that will allow you to jump all the jumps in a straight line will help a lot with the straightness and control aspect of both skinnies and corners, it seems to me. If you learn to find the line and are able to set up and keep that line, you’ve gone a long way towards being able to jump the kind of fences that demand straightness.

This is a fairly common exercise in clinics.

[ThirdCharm]

To have straightness one must have acceptance of the aids. When you say ‘keen’ and ‘runs right past’ jumps I get the impression pony is ignoring your aids and just jumping things because they are ‘in the way’. Fine when the fence is 12’ wide and you can get them pointed in the right general direction but not the best way to approach technical fences.

Jennifer