Just out of interest, if you are riding up to a fence and know the striding's off, do you normally push for a long stride or hold for an extra stride? And why?
i always leave the horse to sort it out, just make sure i keep my leg on, if he feels the need to shorten or lengthen he can do so himself
hes quite young and my instructor has always told me to let him sort it out himself, then if its wrong and we get a dodgy jump he cant be angry with me as he chose to jump like that
TBH i usually freezeup a bit and leave it to my girl but i do try and keep my leg on. Ive been told that its much safer for the horse to put in a short stride though, long strides can make the horse flat and thats where they can leave a leg behind.
I was jumping yest came into the fence and couldnt see a stride so i left it to my girl she couldnt quite decide and then last min decided to take a flyer. It was a very awkward jump which ended up with her paddling over it. Next time round she had learnt her lesson backed her self off it, got herself close to the fence and did the most lovely big round jump over it. we got perfect strides after that.
I just think when you see showjumpers they never take any flyers, they always get their horses close so the horse can get the height. (that is over massive jumps tho...) and it always seems so controlled and calm but with energy. wish i could get that....
Depends on the height of fence with me but with my horse I tend to hold as he jumps better from a shorter stride than a long one and less likely to stop or flatten and knock the fence down.
Each horse is going to differ though and, it is was a tiny fence I would just keep riding at it and he'd sort it out anyway!
I usually think poop, didn't get that one right and sit like a dunce terrified!
On the occasion I don't Ginga has to be held for deep one if it is above 2foot6, as he doesn't have the scope or length of stride to make it. Pip takes stupidly long ones anyway