How to get across ditches sensibly?

Sussexbythesea

Sussexbythesea

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Took my horse XC practice yesterday but we don't do it a lot. We usually only do the local hunter trials mini course coz I'm a nervous nelly when it comes to jumping
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He is and excellent jumper but we mainly do dressage and he is nappy out hacking but if I convince him its a jump and not a monster he will jump it really well and fast
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Last year we did pairs and when we got to the ditch which really you should trot or walk up and down my horse decided to leap it and we landed in a bit of a heap although still upright and we finished clear and came 6th. However I think it shook me up a bit and maybe him too so when we went to practice over it this time he refused to go over it at first then I managed to get him over once with a lead but again it was a bit of a leap and then he utterly refused to go near it spinning around and trying to run away even with lots of leads from all his field friends going over it- but I was scared he would do a big leap again and hurt himself or me so I expect he felt this. Any suggestions at how to tackle this?
 
I would try and find some similar things to practise over at home. Also try (if not already), doing it in walk as then he should be less inclined to leap. If possible go somewhere hilly/undulating and find some wider ditches so he is less able to just leap the whole lot. If you feel safe it may be helpfull to get off and lead him through it (obviously not at competition), just to show him what to do, horses sometimes focus better when you are on the ground.
 
To get a horse doing ditches ready for hunting - as in ones they need to go down and up - not like a coffin, I have nice gentle grass covered one near here that I go to with a quiet companion and practice and practice! You can lunge over them if you are worried about falling in a heap. Generally they do fall in a heap at some point and hopefully learn to be a bit more careful. Have a neck strap to hang on to as well.

ETA banks are a good start for ditches (as in normal banks, not Irish ones!)
 
I would start with the tiniest ditch you can find and just walk up to it and let him pop over it. Be ready for a big leap at first but keep going over it until he pops over nicely... lots of encouragement and praise needed!

Then progress to bigger ones as you feel ready
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Good Luck!!
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I wish he crossed it as good as that!
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I think he led a typical sheltered Warmblood kind of life before I got him so ditches are a bit of a shock for him I think!
 
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