Cross Country Schooling...HELP!!

dominobrown

dominobrown

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Hi I am new, I have tried other forums but with no helpful suggestions at all...

I have entered my first B.E event but my horse hasn't seen a cross country fence (he has once or twice about 2 years ago but he has had a kissing spine operation since). He is working well on the flat and show jumping well, he is quite brave show jumping.

He needs cross country schooling but no where is open for schooling until after the event!!!

I need all your tips and ideas on how to practice cross country fences at home. I have loads of tyres, some barrels, taupaulin (though he is fine in water because I take him to the beach all the time).

Basically, how do I prepare my horse for cross country without jumping a 'proper' cross country fence??? Any suggestions for ditches and things without digging holes in fields? The hacking is mostly on road around be and there are no woods are anything nearby. My only other option is to box him somewhere not local.
I am just doing an Intro so hopefully there will be nothing too technical.

Suggestions, ideas... please!!!
 
What class have you entered, how old is the horse, and how much xc have you both done before?

I would say if you both have experience of xc together, and you've entered a class that you're both capable of then a bit of practise in the school over some interesting questions woulod be fine. Make some narrow fences, and do imaginative things with the tyres and tarpaulin, corners etc, anything you can think of.

Can you not go somewhere else and school? I know some places near me are open already :)
 
eek! :eek: :D
If it were me I would box him out somewhere for some XC schooling.... but if you're happy just to experiment a bit at home with what you have and just see how he goes at the event then just do that... up to you really :) GOOD LUCK!! :D :D

Oh and welcome to the forum btw :) :D
 
He is a 10 year old. Its my first B.E event, though I used to do a lot a cross country before I moved onto horses. He should manage 90cm fine. Suppose I can always withdraw. The guide to places to is useful but I am so far north that everywhere is saving the ground.
I also have just relised that there is a competition forum, sorry I am new.
 
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Sorry if this sounds harsh but taking a horse that hasn't really seen XC fences in to a BE90 which also happens to be the riders first affiliated event is at best a very bad idea and IMHO totally irresponsible.
Withdraw, get some decent xc schooling under your belt with him then enter an event later in the year.
 
there was a great article in last week's H&H (and the previous 2 weeks for that matter) by lucinda green about schooling for cross country including polework.
take your horse to places that will present him with questions, such as places with uneven ground, ditches etc. walk over these obstacles and then when he's found his feet canter over them.
build some and jumps put them in unusual places and change them about, but obviously don't overface him or pressure him and most importantly, good luck. hope this helps. if you haven't definately get hold of the LG articles they're amazing.
 
You're much braver than me going BE without any schooling!

In response to your questions I would be practising skinnes, jumps on angles, water trays (mimic ditches) and I'd be doing controlled canter in open spaces to make sure I could make the time and also that you are contolled cantering in open spaces.
Make sure your jumps are fairly decent spreads aswell.

Which event are you entering?
Good luck! :D
 
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