Asking Horses questions XC

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Olliepop

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i'm pretty new to XC and did two 80s at the end of the season. I hear a lot about asking horses questions XC e.g. this is the first tough question on the course. could someone enlighten me about which types of fences, combinations, terrain would be considered as a question as opposed to being a straightforward fence?
 
Technically I suppose any fence is a question - but usually they are referring to something that requires the horse to think of a bit or to wait on the rider rather than jumping forward in rhythm. What constitutes a serious question will depend on the level of your horse. It could be a fence with a ground line in shade, or an approach off uneven ground with the invitation to run out. It could be something like a corner with a short back rail, a water, a combination requiring a change of stride or a curving line. A skinny, or an change in ground height on landing or take off. Anything really that makes your horse ask "?".

In general terms if the fence has a "soft" profile - a curve, a brush or a good ground line, you can take it on an attacking or forward stride. If it has a "hard" profile with no ground line and a very upright front section (hard to describe I suddenly find!) then you would need a more SJ type canter and that could be considered a question as you set your horse up for it more.

BE do a fabulous training package - you might be able to find some XC classes near you over the winter? Even arena XC can be a start on thinking about the technicalities etc. Have fun - and be safe!

Added... I think the question I ask my horse most frequently is "What the....?!"
 
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