Gridwork

A

angus and solly

Member
Joined
7 October 2011
Messages
26
Location
warwickshire
Visit site
Hi everyone,
I've recently moved somewhere with a school so now looking at doin more jumping and dressage.
I jumped my welsh section d the other day and he has a habit of tripping of the jumps rather than jumping them, I was hoping someone would be able to help me.
I was wondering what type of gridwork layouts would be good to make him pick his feet up and achieve a better canter towards the jumps.
Thanks in advance :)
 
Hi,

My daughter has had similar not-picking-feet-up-issues with her new pony, and her instructor has given me a sheet with some gridwork ideas to do with her...

First one is crosspole, bounce stride, crosspole, one stride, pole on the ground, one stride, pole on the ground. Eventually, the poles will be raised to straight bars, but we're jsut getting the hang of the first version for now.

Second one is just poles on the floor, which can be raised at either side if we want to.

Third one is the dog's leg. which is two jumps then one jump diagonally to the left and one to the right to get which helps to get the pony going forward and thinking apparently.

Only tried it the once with daughter but seems to be going well so far! :)

Ps. her's is a D as well :) Not that that necessarily makes a difference!
 
GG Bells said:
Hi,

My daughter has had similar not-picking-feet-up-issues with her new pony, and her instructor has given me a sheet with some gridwork ideas to do with her...

First one is crosspole, bounce stride, crosspole, one stride, pole on the ground, one stride, pole on the ground. Eventually, the poles will be raised to straight bars, but we're jsut getting the hang of the first version for now.

Second one is just poles on the floor, which can be raised at either side if we want to.

Third one is the dog's leg. which is two jumps then one jump diagonally to the left and one to the right to get which helps to get the pony going forward and thinking apparently.

Only tried it the once with daughter but seems to be going well so far! :)

Ps. her's is a D as well :) Not that that necessarily makes a difference!
Click to expand...

If I set up the first grid you explained, what would the gaps between each fence be if I was to walk it, for example 4 big steps for me for 1stride of canter and then take off. I'm not very good at things like that. I jumped him the other day and he actually fell on to his knees cause he caught a pole, I'm not jumping him very high, probably not even 1ft 9, he's just gets in a bit of muddle and doesn't no what to do I think
Thanks for your advice :)
 
for striding out grids you need to learn to walk a '3ft step' - its useful to measure it out and practice so you get the feel of it! So yes your right 4 of your 3ft paces will give you one canter stride (12ft). For landing allow two paces and two paces for take off eg a strided double would pace out as 8 paces if that makes sense?

as for gridwork cross poles will encourage him to 'jump'. I find a useful one is setting up a 3 strided double with canter poles inbetween to encourage him to regulate his canter and give him the perfect take off spot to the second fence which should encourage him that he has to jump it rather than stumble over it! So to set it up (still going on your three foot pace would be: cross pole-4 paces-canter pole-4 paces-canter pole-4 paces-canter pole-4 paces-cross pole (thats the simplest way I cant of writing it down!)

I would start off with the first element small and make sure you come in a good positive canter over it - once hes got the idea you can start raising the second fence safe in the knowledge you'll hit the right spot every time to make it easier for you and him. I wouldnt worry if he makes a total pigs ear of it either - they usually figure out what to do once they have bumped the poles once or twice! good luck :)
 
If you are unsure of distances, they need to be suitable for the individual especially when starting a youngster, get someone to help you ideally an instructor.
Work on his canter get that more level and balanced, you should be able to shorten and lengthen when you ask, before doing much more jumping, then start to put up a x pole and jump out of the canter staying in a good rhythm on the approach and as you canter away.
Once you can do this you can then start to build in more interesting combinations knowing that he is able to focus on the jump not trying to balance the canter.
 
Thank you, I will work more on his canter and then add some gridwork to try and improve him picking his feet up.
Even if I just do cantering over some poles to start with and then raise one and when he gets the hang of it raise another one etc.
Thank you for not making nasty comments :) much appreciated x
 
For a horse that needs to learn to snap up more in front the crosses need to be HIGH crosses.....so that the jumpable part is low but that the proximity around is high and encourages the individual to snap up!

Canter pole leading up to a grid can also help with the regularity and spring of the pace.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top