Do you jump on hard ground?

[floradora09]

I'm a very ground-conscious person, and try to avoid jumping if the ground doesn't have a lot of give in it. However, being summer, the ground gets hard and most of the competitions are on grass. I would never hammer a horse into hard ground, but I can never decide if I should still jump on it, but maybe not do as much. My horse is a 15 yr old TB, so I guess that had to be taken into account too.

Would you jump on firm ground at home? Would you jump on hard ground at a competition, or would you enter the lower class, maybe?

 

[aelt]

i was going to post similar post! my mare hates the hard ground so no point in jumping.im finding it all very frustrating as had such difficult winter not being able to compete due to ice and snow! and now ground too hard! not many competitions with all weather surfaces nearby either.

So horses seem happy with hard ground, but not worth doing too much - its never worth it.

 

[TinselRider]

The one time I run on hard-ish ground Ban threw a splint was absolutley gutted as had jumped really well and got placed (County show too!!).

So the answer for me is no, I wouldn't run on hard ground again which, yes is frustrating as I am planning to take B XC and do an ODE this year, but there is always another show to go to when the ground is softer.

 

[BroadfordQueen]

I ride my horse on hard ground- I have no choice with no menage. My horse is a ISH with tree-trunk legs, and has never had a lame day, or even hot legs- and thats including after a run around a novice xc course on very hard ground last summer.
On the other hand, I have decided to take a step back from riding my just backed 3 year old until the ground softens up again.

 

[millitiger]

i ride on hard ground- Millie prefers hard ground to soft so she will be eventing through June/July/August and will finish her season early.

I don't jump too often at home when the ground is really hard like now, but it doesn't stop me.

i think you have to consider your horse's build, leg conf, action and preferences- there are plenty of little tb's that the Australians and New Zealanders bring over that are really suited to hard ground.

I am only walking and trotting with my 4yro though due to the ground- he hasn't been in work long enough to have conditioned his legs and at 17.2hh he isn't really designed for hard ground.

 

[Stormy123456]

I don't have much choice without a school at home.

Ballet is a very "tough" horse, with solid, strong legs, who's barely ever been lame, so I often ride on hard ground. I don't jump when it is hard like at the moment, but try to keep her as fit as possible.

I don't jump my finer, more delicate ISH 5 y/o as much as Ballet, and have only been walking and trotting really.