Likes to be too close to fence

Not as forward as I'd like, no. Put leg on in to the fence and not a lot happens. Yes he jumps the fence, but it's not athletic by any stretch of the imagination.
I guess that's the problem then isn't it? He needs to respond to the leg better?
 
big ground lines, keep the fences small, maybe use placing poles to help get him to the right spot, as long as the poles don't confuse him more.
i'd have the fences really small for a while (no bigger than a foot high) until he's just cantering happily over them, with neither of you worrying about the stride at all. i'd set up a tiny course and trot over them first, keeping the trot quite purposeful, and then canter around, jumping a fence when the canter feels good, and just letting him flow over the fence, so it feels like a slightly bigger canter stride, not a jump as such. don't over-ride, hook, fiddle, look for stride etc, i'd just concentrate on getting a good canter and then let the fence get in the way!
 
Yep it is. You need to find a canter you are both comfortable with. For instance my mare is most happy being quite short and bouncy, but you then have to really make sure they are using their backend and not slopping along.
 
Try lots of grid work, incl bounces and 1 stride fences. Also two fences on a circle and try and keep the canter striding the same either side can really encourage a good rhythmical canter. Placing poles and canter poles are a good suggestion, I would also suggest the use of raised canter poles as it will encourage the horse to create a bigger bouncier canter. Make sure your leg is on all the time, and that your looking up, its surprising how much difference it makes depending on where the riders eyes are.. if you look at a fence the horse will too, therefore encouraging him to get deep.
Hope that helps!
 
We were doing canter poles on a circle this morning, with a view to progressing to raised poles tomorrow, then poss a row of 3 bounces?
So that fits in really nicely with your suggestions - thanks very much!
Will also try and remember to look up, baaaad deep ingrained habit of mine!
 
Keep distances "easy" for the horse, so normally slightly shorter than "comp" distances to give them confidence and make things easier, then theyll become more confident and take off correctly
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Some horses learn to do this because if they stand off they either get caught in the mouth or can't make a back rail.Is this a new problem, is it an older horse that might be feeling some pain. Get some good lessons with an experienced instructor who may see why it is happening. Pain is usually the cause or lack of confidence
 
How high are you jumping? Theres not actually anything wrong with a horse getting in deep, especially as the fences get bigger.
If a horse stands off and doesnt have much scope they tend to take off the back rail.
If horsey is not demolishing fences, I'd leave well alone and concentrate on riding him the way he is.
If the fences are bigger and he is jumping them cleanly then he must be using his backend for propulsion...thats a good thing..just feels a bit more scarey.

In my SJ competition days my best horse always felt like he was almost going to stop before he jumped...but he never did !

More background would be useful, to give more advice. Feel free to PM me, as you are also in worcs.. Cheers Steve
 
Jumping/competing 3'
No he's not demolishing fences, it just feels such an effort, I thought maybe going on a more forward stride (which he does occasionally do, if he's in the mood) might make life a little easier for him?
 
Generally this is a confidence issue so I'd drop back a little bit in height and work on the quality of the canter at a comfortable height for him
 
Ok, thats helpful info, and there may a couple of things to consider/try...and some more questions.
I agree with others that working on the canter is a good thing, especially shortening & lengthening exercises. You can do this by cantering around the school, preferably in a half seat, and then asking horse to lengthen/shorten and getting them used to the different strides as you ask for them. Cantering poles on a circle (fan shape) also helps with this as you can lenghten & shorten by moving in/out of the circle
You could also use a ground pole a couple of feet in front of the fence and this will stop them getting too deep.
Do you ride in spurs to reinforce your leg aids? (not everyone likes to ride in spurs, but) sometimes that bit of extra encouragement makes them listen to the leg more and makes them more forward going.
Hope you dont mind me asking if your horse have enough energy for the job? Would it help to feed up a bit before you jump?
Hope this is helpful, please let me know how you get on.
Please tell me more about your horse....
PS. Please tell me more about your horse
 
my ex grade A goes in deep even to a 2ft3 at his age (27) he is not going to change, occasionally he will stand off something but I would encourage it to be honest if you hope to go higher in the future, people work hard to achieve their horse getting in deep and climbing!
 
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