Improving front leg action - SJ

[Supanova]

My lovely 7 year old mare has loads of scope and a very careful back end, however she can be a bit dangly in front and if I get her on a slightly deeper stride, she is not quick enough to snap up. For example on Sat, we had a double clear in the 1.05m but in the Newcomers we had two slightly deep strides into two oxers and she tended to run into the bottom a bit and not be quick enough with her front end so had them both down. I don't think she is fundamentally careless but she needs to improve her technique. Therefore, I'm looking for some exercises to help improve her front end and any tips for what I can do to help with my riding would be much appreciated?!

 

[only_me]

Grids! Improved my horse no end

 

[Supanova]

Thanks only_me. Any particular type of grid?!

 

[Scribbles]

Placing two poles in a '^' shape on top of the jump helped my horse who had a tendency to flatten out oven the jump.

x

 

[DollyDolls]

I still live in hope with this.

Grids & X poles, Stan has snappy front legs.

Oxers & uprights, dangly legs. Look at the pic in my sig. It's a disc height. Just imagine what he could do!

I keep hoping one day he'll pick up every time, but he normally just launches himself higher to compensate.

 

[MillbrookSong]

Another vote for V poles up to an upright

 

[oofadoofa]

Vs on an upright as others have suggested works well. Also a parallel of X poles (if that makes sense!). Another good one is to have a parallel with both poles at the same height, then place another pole diagonally across the top, so l\l This seems to get them to pick their legs up as they have to make a little bit of extra height over the middle of the fence. Can you tell I've tried everything?!! But yes, it does seem to be working!

 

[Supanova]

Thanks for all the replies. It looks like V poles and grids are a good starting point!

 

[Fiona]

Bounce grid. Approach in trot with 3-4 trot poles in front. Don't 'allow' too much with the hand - crest release??

Has improved my dangly TB anyway.

Fiona