How to stay on?? Help required!!

[silvershadow81]

With my first XC looming quickly and my HUGE fear of coffin fences (refer to my PANIC post yesterday!!)

All the comments and help given was great but I just wanted to know what your suggestions would be to ensure i stay stuck to her when she stops at the ditch!

An instructor told me AGES ago to keep my legs forward so that when a horse stops your weight can go down and forwards, keeping you on????

Does anyone think this does work and do you have any other suggestions to help stay on a horse when it stops (REALLY QUICKLY!!!)??

Would LOVE your help.. once again!

 

[pnap]

I know you have to be realistic but you could try not thinking that she is going to stop cause I bet you subconciously she'll pick up on your fear and then it's inevitable she will stop. Easier said than done I know and I never apply this advice to myself but it's easy dishing it out on here.

Failing that the legs forward - like a hunting seat - should do the trick.

 

[TGM]

Keep your lower leg forward, heels right down, and keep your bottom back over the saddle - helps keep you secure in almost all circumstances. Also keep the horse bouncing and with hindquarters under and head up - then you are less likely to get the head down stop which throws you off!

 

[silvershadow81]

I know. I am having a jumping session tonight and thats why i was asking. She is going really well so i am hoping (NO, im certian- positive mental attitude!!) that she will still go over.

Just want to have everything in place so i can say that i tried everything to get over it!!

she will still fly the log so i can see my toes pointing out FAR ahead of her sholdersready for the ditch!!!

 

[silvershadow81]

TGM- thats brilliant advice.

She can canter really slow and has a hight head anyway so that will definatly work for her.

im sitting in my chair at work trying to get my position right!! ha ha ha ha!!

 

[Natch]

I have no idea but would love to see some photos!

You're using a breastplate and balancing strap aren't you? so could you do your legs thing, hold on to the neck strap and saddle thingy in one hand and allow her head with the other?

Oh, and I'd be spending a fortune on ebay and tack shops on sticky bum joddys and spraying my saddle with that sticky bum stuff (did I make that up? I'm sure I've heard you can buy spray - on stuff to make your saddle "sticker" to sit to??) or applying PLENTY of saddle soap, but then again I'd also be installing a car seat belt onto my saddle and applying airbags etc too!

 

[jumpthemoon]

If your legs are forward, how are you going to apply them to ask her to jump? If you don't put your leg on, she isn't going to jump it. Once you get ove the first element, sit up and kick! Keep your seat light so you don't cause her to hollow and ride as if you ARE going to jump it - if you ride is as though she is going to stop, you'll never get over it

 

[JenHunt]

sit tall and light so that you stay over the saddle, and slightly behind the movement.
keep your legs on and keep her bouncing so tha she's going at a pace you're happy with.
as you come to 2-3 strides out give her a kick (even a smack if you can/need to) and stay sitting up so if she falters on the edge or puts in a dirty stop you're not going to sit in the ditch.

 

[Kenzo]

When you walk the course you will get a clearer picture of what might happen and how to ride the obstacle should the 'might happen' happen.
Coffins are jumped differently to just a ditch on its own or a upright, you have your rails, down a few strides over the ditch and back up and out over the rail again. Rhythm plays a huge part, where there is rhythm there is collectiveness, and where there is collectiveness there is not speed as such.
Because there is no speed, if you horse does put a dirty stop in then its not likely you are gong to go over it head. Plan how you are gong to ride the coffin when you have see it, this will automatically boost your confidence anyway.
Ride strongly with your heals down but don't ride too lightly and don't use a forward seat. If you horse feels restricted and feels like he can't tacke the ditch without your interference then your horse will always put a stop in, when he takes a leap give him plenty of rein but still have contact and be flexible with your body which can means leaning back but soon as your over you need to be collect and forward again to the rail.
Push your hands forward onto the neck, you could bridge your reins to give you extra support should you fall over onto his neck even the end of your whip can help balance you in tricky moments, keep your horses head up once your over the ditch, he needs to be looking up anyway for the rail.