Striding

C

Coffee_Bean

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How many strides is it for canter poles? (My horse is 15hh)
Trotting poles?
A bounce fence is 8 strides right? 2 landing, 4 for canter and 2 take off?

Anything else I should know?
Thanks
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If you put 7 strides between two fences your horse will fit 1 stride in between them. For a bounce you want about 4 strides, depending on the horse. Canter poles are 3-4 strides, again depending what you want to achieve, trotting poles about 1 stride. If you strart off like that you can always adjust until they suit your horse, then work on getting the lengthening/shortening once you are going over them well
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it varies a lot, because of the length of your horse's stride, speed of the approach, and size of the fences.
e.g. depending on the size of the fences (because a big fence will mean that the horse lands further away from the fence, usually), i allow either 1 1/2 yards (if the fences are small) each for the landing and take-offs, or 2 yards (if the fences are over 3' ish).
then allow 4 yards per canter stride... perhaps slightly less as your horse is 15hh.
so, for a one stride distance of small fences, i'd allow 1 1/2 + 4 + 1 1/2 = 7 yards. if you approach in trot, maybe even slightly shorter...say 6 1/2 strides, because you'll land shorter because of the slower approach.
for a one stride distance of biggish fences, 2 + 4 + 2 = 8 yards.
for a bounce, anything from 3 1/2 to 5 strides, depending on the size of the fences and the speed of the approach.
sorry if this is a bit vague, but it varies massively. the best thing is to have someone experienced on the floor, to move fences according to how your horse is jumping.
if someone walks a distance for you, while you're on the horse, make sure they can walk a proper yard stride, consistently... and that they don't just walk the distance thinking it's, say, 7 strides, because then they'll make it that, by subconsciously altering their stride to fit!
if necessary, have a yard-stick and measure the distances with that, until your helper/you get your stride under control.

trotting poles... about 4 foot apart, or wider if you want to encourage a bit of a stretch in the horse.

canter poles... about 3 yards out from the fence, a bit further if it's a big fence.
or, exactly in the middle of a one stride distance.

if your horse lacks confidence, make the distances perfect for him. if he flattens over the fence, make the distances slightly shorter. you can play around a lot to improve the jump.

hope this helps a bit!
 
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