Importance of groundlines when jump schooling?

[zipzap]

Hi, Am after some advice / viewpoints really. I'm a bit of a 'has-been' in that approx 20yrs ago I used to event at novice level but since then I mainly ride at local level as work and family demands have taken centre stage. I have 2 allrounders ridden by myself & 2 sharers - reasonably competent young (teenage) riders, both who enjoy jumping.

I've been slightly concerned to see they've both been posting photos of themselves on FB schooling my horses over fences (mainly single straight rails up to 3'3" ish) without having used any groundlines. In my day this was a big 'no-no' and although I can't articulate it particularly well, my understanding is than in a training context it was to do with assisting the horse & rider correctly judge the height of the fence and identify a correct take off point.

I haven't trained with anyone for a long time & both girls do the odd pony club lesson but nothing more. So I'm not sure if I'm right to be uncomfortable about this - just wondered if I'm making a fuss about nothing or if the thinking has changed??? My main concern is that if they get it wrong & stuff the horses into a fence, it will be me who deals with the repercussions to the horse/s both physically & psychologically! - Is this stupid?

Your views are welcomed, please be kind though - it's a genuine enquiry & I could use a little guidance. Thanks

 

[ThePony]

For a single bar we don't always use ground lines if an experienced horse and rider is jumping, we do for green horses and for oxers though. If you do use ground lines then obv v important to not use 'trick' ones - on the wrong side of the fence is a common one I see and I wouldn't dream of doing that, you really aren't giving your poor horse the best chance of doing what you are asking!
If you don't like then to jump without (your horse, your say after all!) then perhaps you could give them a lesson concentrating on building good jumps to teach both horse and rider - including of course the importance of ground lines!

 

[toomanyhorses26]

I think fences with and without groundlines have there place. With my horse I tend to jump with groundlines on most fences as he has a tendency to hurdle the fences (ex racer) and I find I can get to a deeper spot with a groundline. I was part of a demo last year and the other horse who was in with me was being gobby and although talented wsn't really listening or paying attention to the rider. So the person instructing us took the groundlines away and therefore made the jump very airy and poley and low and behold the horse backed himself off and jumped beautifully from there on .

 

[Ladyfresha]

I use groundlines with my young horses. But used to jump my experienced pony up to 1.40m at home without them, oxers and uprights. Never had any problems. He is very clever though, didn't even get caught out when my trainer but up a combination with false groundlines behind each one (don't try that at home).

 

[rossiroo]

I always use ground lines, but I am ultra fussy. I have been horrified at some of the things that people jump
eg. two young girls jumping a narrow grid side by side over showjumps with the last fence being a spread with back rail balanced on the frount of an oildrum. Thank goodness the horses were carefull, the girls had no idea as too what could have happened if one of them had knocked a pole!

 

[PaddyMonty]

at 3'3" on an experienced horse I wouldn't give a second thought to a groundline. Even with novice horses I tend to use a placing pole 2.5yrds from the fence rather than a groundline when the fences are 1mtr or less.
Personally I wouldn't worry. Highly unlikely what they are doing will cause a problem

 

[zipzap]

Thanks so much for all your replies. You've given me some good info & options x