riding narrow fences

[vickers22]

i have just walked the xc course for tomorrow and there are a few narrow fences, especially one in the timed section. Our last outing we had a refusal at a narrow fence, so any tips on how to ride it please?

 

[kayleigh_and_rocky]

All i can say (And im sure you'll get more advice than this) but find something in the distance (a tree, another jump) that is on your straight line through the centre of the jump, and on approach and during the jump do not take your eye off that target in the distance, as that is your line. If anything goes wrong, bad stride, dancing horse, just keep looking at your target which is your line and kick

 

[BroadfordQueen]

i have found the best thing to do is steady your horse down to either an extreamly contained canter or even a trot, and make sure the horse is in a perfect line to the jump, and once the horse locks onto the fence let them go for the last couple of strides.

 

[helenandshadow]

It sounds obvious but you need to ride an accurate line so you meet the fence straight and in the centre. Approach in a steady canter with your horse between leg and hand, use your legs to keep him forwards and straight, and keep a firm even contact right up until take off, don't drop your contact a few strides out or this will give him an opportunity to refuse/run out.

 

[Bossanova]

Although the pace needs to be a bit steadier, dont over-check and hook on the way in as this creates doubt in the horse's mind. It's best to ride very positively into it, channel the horse between both legs and hands and really focus on the fence.

 

[Ellaxx]

i approach in either a strong trot or more collected(but possitive) canter with equal pressure in my legs and an even contact to channel my horse into it. if you do have trouble approaching in canter i would usually re approach in trot. oh and tuck your toes in

 

[4whitesocks]

Depends whether it's a stop or a run-out.....if I think my boy is thinking of stopping - leg on, steady pace, tap on the shoulder two strides out to make sure he knows we're going over! If I think he's going to run out I do the same but widen my hands...not totally sure why that works but it does!

 

[Thistle]

create a tunnnel in your mind from your eyes through your slightly wider hands dowm the reins through the horse and over the fence. Do not allow the horse to deviate from the tunnel. keep looking up and over the fence.