How to encourage to make a better shape over a fence??

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MissDeMeena

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Ok, my one complaint about the Squeak.. he jumps a bit flat!!
He has all the scope in the world, is able to jump a fairly big fence.. and he has very good front and hind leg technique!! ie. he pulls his little knees up round his chin somewhere
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But, he doesn't bascule (sp?) over his fences.. he feels like he's nose diving a bit!!!!
He has the most powerfull back end i've ever seen, and i'm guessing the front end hasn't cought up with the back end yet!!
But any tips to encourage it on its way??
 
Hehe!
I think I know what you mean, Moon sort of dives at her fences on occaision to avoid using herself fully- seems to clear them fine but it doesnt feel quite right
 
LOL
it's not the nicest of feelings is it!!
Squeak has so much scope and a good enough technique that he'll usually clear a big enough fence without using himself at all!!!!!
Lazy Sod!!!
Think i'd rather build a jumping lane of bounces and send him down on his own!! haha
 
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A frames especially when incorporated into grids all the way!!

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I've always used A frames to make them snap up in front a little better.. but you think it'll help with shape too? and not just make him jump higher?
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Jumping small parrellels the wrong way..I.E with a lower pole behind the front pole.You halt in front of the fence about 5 strides away, ask for canter immedently, just sit and wait and phroar!
I did this exercise with one of the best BSJA trainers, who trained the young riders,but some of the people on here seem to think it is dangerous...however I think it is safe as long as you keep the jump under 3 ft 3 and do it from a standing canter start...it really works a treat for making them look and use their backs.
 
Will try that as well!!
Again, i've tried the front poll higher thing before, but again for a horse that might be a little careless infront, which he isn't!!

I think all these exercises will help him tho!!! Thanks!!

I've also put him in an old fashioned running gag (from a lose ring snaffle) and that has also helped alot! Just helped me pick the front end up a little
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suppose does depend on horse but helped Dan lots when he started jumping a bit flat (which he did a lot being lanky long lad instead of nice compact thing!!) It was very noticeable that he would round through his back a lot more after using A frames especially if i had them on take off and landing although he could do a proper bascule most of the time as he just didn't have it in him but it was a lot prettier than before LOL! (and he is a warmblood
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They had a grid up in the arena today for Monty, it was canter pole in front of the jump, then small X pole, then a pole immediately after the jump, which makes them round rather than land flat. the cross pole gets replaced with a single higher pole as the horse rounds more.They added a three feet jump after the canter pole and it made him round nicely. Might this help?
 
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Thanks for posting this, lots of useful tips, good old HHO!!

And of course failing all that, my only advice would be, buy a warmblood
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I picked up another great tip from a random post on here the other day.. in the picture gallery, someone called Claire had a lesson with Carl Hester, and he kinda made her hold her reins upside down, encouraging a longer lower softer outline.. and my god does it work!!!!
Great tip!! Was going to make a post about it, but never got round to it haha..


And i'm told Squeaks devil horn shaped ears denote WB, so he may have some in him already!! (otherwise i'll try injecting some haha)
 
OK, so to round up.. i want.. a grid of spreads, with the front poll higher, with A frames on them, set at bounce distances, with place polls on the floor...

(joking before anyone jumps on me)

Got lots to be getting on with.. thanks everyone!!
Will be trying to do some BSJA over the winter, and we don't want to be embarasing ourselfs infront of the 'SJer' haha
 
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That seems odd...makes me think that is making you use the hand to get the horse round instead of the seat? Mmm interesting though!

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Not at all.. will try and find her post.. when holding the reins like this, you end up being alot softer with your hands, so end up using (and being alot more independant (SP?)) with your seat/legs...
I tried it for the first time out in the field the other night.. Squeaky is a very sharp 5yr old, who is likely to fcuk off with you at any moment.. i felt quite vunerable(sp?) riding like this to start with (ie if he wanted to go, he could)!!

Have found it.. (whoever you are, i hope you don't mind me posting your pic again???
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i'm guessing you don't mind, as you posted it on the forum in the first place?)
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and this was what she wrote with her pic...
"If you notice Carl got me to hold my reins across my palms, this was something I have never done before but really interesting, you can be quicker with your reins in dropping the horse to a long rounded outline, a lot of the younger horses are started like this. Apparently one of his pupils always rides like this now and he struggles to get her to ride with "normal" hands although he did say it was advisable not to do it in a dressage test!!!"
 
Sorry...you won't make a hose bascule if it doesn't do it naturally. Yes, you can help it to learn to pick it's feet up sharper, and improve it's athleticism, but you can't make it do what doesn't come naturally
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If you look at the vast majority of top SJ'ers, they don't bascule that well. Many of them jump flat, but compensate by being extremely carefull and rarely have a pole
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Bascules are natural, but I do know a horse who now, after being trained to Prix St George level has a much better shape than when he did evented at advanced level. So.. unfortunately, as with everything, schooling is the answer!!
 
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