Checking in front of a fence!

M

michb52

Well-Known Member
Joined
4 August 2006
Messages
321
Location
Bangor NI
Visit site
Can anyone offer me any help, ideas or exercises to stop me over checking in front of the fence! I know im doing it and I know I shouldn't but I just cant help it! I approach the fence and even though on my turn to it I say to myself "don't check" I still end up doing it and when I get to the fence I have nothing to jump of!
Its really affecting my confidence now as my one of my mares is starting to get a bit smart to it and has started to stop on me.
The funny thing is that when I ride a second round against the clock I dont do it and see strides miles away??? Help please!
 
Maybe in the second round you ride that bit more forward? I do a similar thing and find that really riding forwards and not looking at the jump is helping, feels really odd to begin with though.
 
I think im trying too hard to get the perfect stride and I know I should relax more to the fence but its all easier said than done lol!
MB do you use grids or poles to help you?
 
i used to do this!! i also used to put about 3 extra strides down a related distance!!

i bought one of those bridles from dyon that dont give the horse poll pressure, so now i have no control and i ride much better! this method might not suit everyone tho!!
 
Ive had this problem, and cracked it 2 months ago!

1) as you approach the fence... count the days of the week (not saturday!) which helps keep the rhythm. This also stops me thinking too much.

2) Also, make sure you dont drop your leg, this really doesnt help the horse.

3) Look at the back rail... and DEFINITELY not at the floor in front. This stops you looking for a stride and a genuine horse should, ideally, take off from any stride!

Grids helped for me... because it means you have to be PERFECT, and helps with the rhythm aspect.

Hope that helps
smile.gif
 
One exercise I found really helped was to have a small cross pole, then three forward strides to an oxer. The cross pole was small enough to jump without fiddling for a stride and then I knew I had to ride forward three strides on the perfect distance so couldn't bury my horse and also knew checking wasn't needed!
 
I found not looking at the fence at all, like looking at my boss who stood at E if the fence was at X. This stopped me searching for a stride and gave us both confidence on doing it without trying too hard.
V scary to start with!!
 
the latest mantra that i've been using, which has worked so far, is to say to myself within the rhythm of the canter "I can hold her with my shoul- ders", keeping the leg on and pushing slightly with every stride, and keeping hands still. worth a try.
why not 'hunt' round the first round a bit, at more like jump-off speed, if it makes you more purposeful.
saying "don't" do something is hopeless, you have implanted the idea of what you're not supposed to do, like saying "whatever you do, don't look behind you!" so, swap it for something positive in your mind, "keep riding forwards" or "soften the hands and trust the horse" or something.
hope those might help, best of luck!
 
I have this problem and am just beginning to beat it. The things I have found that help are: -

- Having a placing pole, so you know what distance to ride for - it really helps confidence

- Grids

- Jumping smaller fences on a long rein so you trust the horse can sort itself out if you have a problem
 
keep riding forwards trying to maintain the rythm and not interfere too much grids work well try riding down them with your eyes shut or looking over your shoulder to stop you searching for a stride good luck
 
I tried a few things: putting a knot in my reins and dropping them about 4 strides out was very helpful (very good for balance too) - you can leave your hands in the 'riding' position if you like, or fold them etc.

Counting made me WAY worse as if I got to the take off point on '2' I'd put an extra stride in so that we jumped on '3'
confused.gif
.

I think the best thing though was riding forwards to every fence (as if it was a JO) and at home having somebody stern with a loud voice (Baydale worked quite well
smile.gif
) shouting at me to soften my hands on approach.
 
Put 4 small cross poles in the arena along each side, then canter round and keep absolute rythm. It sounds dead easy (especially when jumping discovery+), but when Brian Hutton made me do it, I looked like an absolute plonker for the first couple of times.
 
If you've got a good canter ie. one that is really moving underneath you and covering the ground, then try thinking "long arms" on your approach to the fence. Then when you normally bring your hands and your shoulders back to check unnecessarily, the "long arms" thought will make you keep your hands forward and soft and to do that your shoulders will have to be soft too, so no body language for your horse to translate as a "whoa".

I could send you a tape of me shouting like I did at Gamebird as that worked a treat for her but it might not be everybody's cup of tea.
tongue.gif
 
Ive had big issues with this in the past and without knowing have been telling my horse to stop!

Similar to Baydales theory when i think about checking now I quickly think about grabbing her mane instead! I dont actually do it (not often anyway) but thinking that im going to do it stops me from tensing my arms and shoulders and touching her mouth, then the stride then just appears! Very occassionally (if my checking urge is too strong) I do actually grab a handful of mane and give that a tug instead of the reins
blush.gif
. Its fine though coz at least she still has her freedom and impulsion to jump!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top