InstantForum.NET v4.1.2Young Rider.comhttp://board.youngrider.com/forums@bowtieinc.comWed, 07 Jan 2009 04:45:57 GMT20http://board.youngrider.com/Topic860612-12-1.aspx<div class="Quote"><font color = "#1F5080"><b>greenwoodgaltx (9/30/2008)</b><hr noshade size="1" class="hr"><div class="Quote"><font color = "#1F5080"><b>threeday (9/30/2008)</b><hr noshade size="1" class="hr">First and foremost you need to get your horse accustomed to the open environment alone...because you don't run XC with your buddies!! That is one of the biggest challenges XC presents to horses.<BR>I recommend riding in a field everyday for a month or two and then a least a few times a week. Flatwork in the open is great for the mind and lateral work on hills has become a big trend. Also, you can do hill work, sets, and general conditioning and hacking. And of course jumping, even if it just stadium fences, it important!<BR><BR>When you're first working your horse in a new environment, I would recommend letting him scope out the situation on a longer rein (still have contact, but let him look at stuff). Do large ring figures, especially in spooky areas or around spooky objects. Move up to the trot and canter, and incorporate lots of big ring figures and lots of transitions. Once your horse is more comfortable with the transitions between the gaits try some transitions within the gaits, as in move up the canter and balance it back. Do lateral work or anything to keep his mind on the job. The main idea is to keep it simple at first and then gradually build up the difficulty, just like you would do in your average warmup!<BR>As far as aids to calm nervousness, a lot of people talk or sing to their horses to keep them relaxed and there is nothing wrong with a stroke on the neck here and there to reassure them. Remember you need to ride positively because if you're nervous, you can easily make your horse even more nervous!<BR>I recommend putting a little more foot in your stirrup while out in the open/going xc like the old-school foxhunters did (it's called putting your foot "home"). This gives you a more secure leg. You should practice riding in a bridge (I prefer a double bridge) so you have his neck to support you, but you still need to have the majority of your weight in your heels. Throw in some half halts here and there, but make them deliberate and far apart so your horse doesn't come dead to them. So if in the canter or hand gallop you want to open up your hip angle, sit down (but not back) into the saddle, stretch your spine upwards and close your hand while squeezing through your thigh. If you horse is stronger and doesn't respond to the half halt, you can try the pulley or even the see-saw rein.<BR><BR>Good luck! :)</font></div><P>I agree completely. =]</font></div><P>Yes, I agree 110%^. Also it helps to if he is being super excited to lunge him first on both sides (w/t/c) with out side reins first, then with. Also I would just go flat work with him if he is being competely not listening to you, and if he still doesnt stop to listen to you but him back on the longe line WITH the side riens, that way he can fight with himself not you. Then if he is being good after that I would hand gallop him a round some and take him over a few of the smallest jumps. If he is good I would just end it at that. Also half halt are wonderful, dont just use your outside rein use your thighs and seat too. <P>Good luck!Sat, 04 Oct 2008 15:40:40 GMT~CrossCountryQueen~http://board.youngrider.com/Topic860612-12-1.aspx<div class="Quote"><font color = "#1F5080"><b>threeday (9/30/2008)</b><hr noshade size="1" class="hr">First and foremost you need to get your horse accustomed to the open environment alone...because you don't run XC with your buddies!! That is one of the biggest challenges XC presents to horses.<BR>I recommend riding in a field everyday for a month or two and then a least a few times a week. Flatwork in the open is great for the mind and lateral work on hills has become a big trend. Also, you can do hill work, sets, and general conditioning and hacking. And of course jumping, even if it just stadium fences, it important!<BR><BR>When you're first working your horse in a new environment, I would recommend letting him scope out the situation on a longer rein (still have contact, but let him look at stuff). Do large ring figures, especially in spooky areas or around spooky objects. Move up to the trot and canter, and incorporate lots of big ring figures and lots of transitions. Once your horse is more comfortable with the transitions between the gaits try some transitions within the gaits, as in move up the canter and balance it back. Do lateral work or anything to keep his mind on the job. The main idea is to keep it simple at first and then gradually build up the difficulty, just like you would do in your average warmup!<BR>As far as aids to calm nervousness, a lot of people talk or sing to their horses to keep them relaxed and there is nothing wrong with a stroke on the neck here and there to reassure them. Remember you need to ride positively because if you're nervous, you can easily make your horse even more nervous!<BR>I recommend putting a little more foot in your stirrup while out in the open/going xc like the old-school foxhunters did (it's called putting your foot "home"). This gives you a more secure leg. You should practice riding in a bridge (I prefer a double bridge) so you have his neck to support you, but you still need to have the majority of your weight in your heels. Throw in some half halts here and there, but make them deliberate and far apart so your horse doesn't come dead to them. So if in the canter or hand gallop you want to open up your hip angle, sit down (but not back) into the saddle, stretch your spine upwards and close your hand while squeezing through your thigh. If you horse is stronger and doesn't respond to the half halt, you can try the pulley or even the see-saw rein.<BR><BR>Good luck! :)</font></div></P><P>Thanks, that was very, very helpful!!!!Wed, 01 Oct 2008 12:41:36 GMTshilohismybabyhttp://board.youngrider.com/Topic860612-12-1.aspxlet him gallop full out, that's the joy of cross country!!!!!! J.K. I would try some circles if he gets to excited and make him think about being nice and round and listening to youTue, 30 Sep 2008 20:40:45 GMTjumptoheavenhttp://board.youngrider.com/Topic860612-12-1.aspx<div class="Quote"><font color = "#1F5080"><b>threeday (9/30/2008)</b><hr noshade size="1" class="hr">First and foremost you need to get your horse accustomed to the open environment alone...because you don't run XC with your buddies!! That is one of the biggest challenges XC presents to horses.<BR>I recommend riding in a field everyday for a month or two and then a least a few times a week. Flatwork in the open is great for the mind and lateral work on hills has become a big trend. Also, you can do hill work, sets, and general conditioning and hacking. And of course jumping, even if it just stadium fences, it important!<BR><BR>When you're first working your horse in a new environment, I would recommend letting him scope out the situation on a longer rein (still have contact, but let him look at stuff). Do large ring figures, especially in spooky areas or around spooky objects. Move up to the trot and canter, and incorporate lots of big ring figures and lots of transitions. Once your horse is more comfortable with the transitions between the gaits try some transitions within the gaits, as in move up the canter and balance it back. Do lateral work or anything to keep his mind on the job. The main idea is to keep it simple at first and then gradually build up the difficulty, just like you would do in your average warmup!<BR>As far as aids to calm nervousness, a lot of people talk or sing to their horses to keep them relaxed and there is nothing wrong with a stroke on the neck here and there to reassure them. Remember you need to ride positively because if you're nervous, you can easily make your horse even more nervous!<BR>I recommend putting a little more foot in your stirrup while out in the open/going xc like the old-school foxhunters did (it's called putting your foot "home"). This gives you a more secure leg. You should practice riding in a bridge (I prefer a double bridge) so you have his neck to support you, but you still need to have the majority of your weight in your heels. Throw in some half halts here and there, but make them deliberate and far apart so your horse doesn't come dead to them. So if in the canter or hand gallop you want to open up your hip angle, sit down (but not back) into the saddle, stretch your spine upwards and close your hand while squeezing through your thigh. If you horse is stronger and doesn't respond to the half halt, you can try the pulley or even the see-saw rein.<BR><BR>Good luck! :)</font></div></P><P>I agree completely. =]Tue, 30 Sep 2008 19:11:22 GMTgreenwoodgaltxhttp://board.youngrider.com/Topic860612-12-1.aspxFirst and foremost you need to get your horse accustomed to the open environment alone...because you don't run XC with your buddies!! That is one of the biggest challenges XC presents to horses.<br>I recommend riding in a field everyday for a month or two and then a least a few times a week. Flatwork in the open is great for the mind and lateral work on hills has become a big trend. Also, you can do hill work, sets, and general conditioning and hacking. And of course jumping, even if it just stadium fences, it important!<br><br>When you're first working your horse in a new environment, I would recommend letting him scope out the situation on a longer rein (still have contact, but let him look at stuff). Do large ring figures, especially in spooky areas or around spooky objects. Move up to the trot and canter, and incorporate lots of big ring figures and lots of transitions. Once your horse is more comfortable with the transitions between the gaits try some transitions within the gaits, as in move up the canter and balance it back. Do lateral work or anything to keep his mind on the job. The main idea is to keep it simple at first and then gradually build up the difficulty, just like you would do in your average warmup!<br>As far as aids to calm nervousness, a lot of people talk or sing to their horses to keep them relaxed and there is nothing wrong with a stroke on the neck here and there to reassure them. Remember you need to ride positively because if you're nervous, you can easily make your horse even more nervous!<br>I recommend putting a little more foot in your stirrup while out in the open/going xc like the old-school foxhunters did (it's called putting your foot "home"). This gives you a more secure leg. You should practice riding in a bridge (I prefer a double bridge) so you have his neck to support you, but you still need to have the majority of your weight in your heels. Throw in some half halts here and there, but make them deliberate and far apart so your horse doesn't come dead to them. So if in the canter or hand gallop you want to open up your hip angle, sit down (but not back) into the saddle, stretch your spine upwards and close your hand while squeezing through your thigh. If you horse is stronger and doesn't respond to the half halt, you can try the pulley or even the see-saw rein.<br><br>Good luck! :)Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:46:45 GMTthreedayhttp://board.youngrider.com/Topic860612-12-1.aspxThanks guys! Those are really good ideas. I will be sure to try them with any horse during cross country!Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:56:25 GMTshilohismybabyhttp://board.youngrider.com/Topic860612-12-1.aspxI left out schooling. I meant spend a little extra time schooling.Mon, 29 Sep 2008 09:08:15 GMTdallashttp://board.youngrider.com/Topic860612-12-1.aspxSpend a little more time then you usually do and get him settled down. Sit down in your seat asnd he will feel it and start to relax. Dallas gets extremely excited at shows too.Mon, 29 Sep 2008 09:02:26 GMTdallashttp://board.youngrider.com/Topic860612-12-1.aspx<div class="Quote"><font color = "#1F5080"><b>~EventSTA~ (9/28/2008)</b><hr noshade size="1" class="hr">My horse does the same thing. Really, you need to ride him more in the field but really get him to lsiten to you by seating <STRONG>deep</STRONG> in the saddle and half halting when he gets excited and goes fast. Also riding him out there more should help to calm him down.<P>Good luck. <img align="absmiddle" src="http://board.youngrider.com/Skins/Young Rider/Images/EmotIcons/BigGrin.gif" border="0" title="BigGrin"></font></div><P>Yup. <P>Cinnamon gets really excited and hyper when doing cross country. Just ride them out in feilds more often, and anytime you feel them speeding up faster then you want give a couple half halts.Mon, 29 Sep 2008 08:22:02 GMT~Goldengirl~http://board.youngrider.com/Topic860612-12-1.aspxMy horse does the same thing. Really, you need to ride him more in the field but really get him to lsiten to you by seating <STRONG>deep</STRONG> in the saddle and half halting when he gets excited and goes fast. Also riding him out there more should help to calm him down.</P><P>Good luck. <img align="absmiddle" src="http://board.youngrider.com/Skins/Young Rider/Images/EmotIcons/BigGrin.gif" border="0" title="BigGrin">Sun, 28 Sep 2008 21:54:39 GMT~EventSTA~http://board.youngrider.com/Topic860612-12-1.aspxBump, please.Sun, 28 Sep 2008 17:50:47 GMTshilohismybabyhttp://board.youngrider.com/Topic860612-12-1.aspxShiloh gets antsy and excited and fast when out doing cross country. Does anyone have any ideas to help settle him down???Sun, 28 Sep 2008 17:01:21 GMTshilohismybaby