To those without a school?

[Troyseph]

How do you school!!? In a field? But what about winter when you churn the ground up/slippery and land owners don't approve??!

I really want to compete this winter but have nowhere to practice?! What would you do? I've never jumped him properly myself( last owner did said he was fine, although he's young and green?)

Would you just take him and do a clear round/mini class maybe? Thanks

 

[Lolo]

If you have transport, sign up to a local riding club who hold lots of clinics- ours holds lots throughout the year, and in the winter really focus on stressage and SJ. It's good fun, and you get lots of practise. Also, many local venues will hold schooling days- you book your time and off you go.

As for how we get round having no school in the winter? Reg goes out on his holidays in a week or two, and won't be coming back in until the new year. There aren't any suitable fields and we don't want to ruin his nice grazing! Then, he'll have a month of hacking to get fit and then go back into weekly lessons at their instructors where she has a school!

 

[be positive]

I would suggest you arrange one or two lessons somewhere to get a feel of him before going to a clear round or low key venue to see how he goes.

 

[MiCsarah]

Our winter field has loads of grass and stays pretty dry so I ride in there. If I want to jump then I can hack to use somebody menage. Other than that I school out hacking

 

[animal]

Schooling out hacking is good!

Are there no arenas in your area? I was looking for riding routes using google maps (lifesavers!) and discovered that there are so many menages round me, so unless you keep him somewhere completly non horsey, there is usually one within safe hacking distance. I muck out afew stables to use a near one sometimes.

Any hills near you/in the field itself?
Obviously not the same as jumping practise, but really build up bum muscle and fitness if done often, even in walk.

 

[tazzle]

schooling is entirely possible for quite a few things even just on the roads



flexions right and left, shoulder in / haunches in etc while walking or trotting along

leg yields to right if no traffic around ..... or if there is traffic coming leg yielding into the side rather than using the reins ( you might do this already )

transitions up and down the gears and backing up.

turns on forehand and haunches to open gates.... or if no gates just do it in the yard



If field available, might do the other stuff.



echo animal...... have a look or ask around ... there might be private small schools around you could negotiate use of

 

[StormyMoments]

if i wanted to jump then i would hire a school but i school on hacks in the winter and i go lit up like a christmas tree

 

[noblesteed]

We school out hacking, and take horses to Riding Club rallies and comps. We do the odd stressage comp locally and practice on the beach. We try and get out twice a month through winter.

 

[depurple1]

I mostly ride in the field, which drains well and never gets very boggy. I also school out hacking - I've found several nice flat spaces around the local area. We do have a homemade woodchip school and lunge pen, but I do tend to prefer the field/schooling on hacks.

I could hire a school if I felt the need, but I haven't so far. The lack of a proper school doesn't stop most people I know competing, some to a very high level. In fact it can be an advantage.