XC problem

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MagicMelon

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My Welsh D hasn't done that much XC. Maybe about 5 XC events now. The fences aren't the problem! But starting is! For the first 3 fences he is dreadful, I cannot keep him in a straight line! He was better last time out, but today at an ODE he went so sideways we had to jump number 2 on a total angle! He doesn't even look at the fences (ie. its not him spooking or anything), he just will NOT canter in a straight line. He doesn't gallop (he's a Welsh D so hasn't quite learnt that yet!) so it's not like I can kick him on and get going properly. He has done 1 BE Intro and will do more next year but this is seriously wasting time especially when he's not the fastest anyway.

Do you think it'll just come with more experience?

On a good note, even going squint XC - we still came 3rd
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In my experience, there is no miracle cure for this, but patience and perseverance. As you say, he hasn't done much xc, so perhaps try to simulate the same sort of environment where the opportunity is there for him to want to nap as much as possible. After all, you've got all winter before the season starts again!

Even if you can't go xc much, you could do things like go xc schooling with a friend and then make sure your horse will ride away from them and straight over a fence with hesitation. Even schooling in a field near to your stables, where he might want to go home, is a similar situation.

Good luck! I'm sure the problem will sort itself out with experience
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He doesn't gallop (he's a Welsh D so hasn't quite learnt that yet!) so it's not like I can kick him on and get going properly.

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Galloping and going forwards are two very different things.. ie just cos he can't gallop yet doesn't mean he can't go forwards!!
The problem sounds to me like you haven't got him going forwards properly into your hand, and he's hanging back towards the start and the other horses..
 
I think this will come with experience. Go to as many practices as you can, while keeping the fences small, so you know he can jump them even if on a slightly funny approach.
 
Yeah, we dont get much chance to school round XC as there aren't many at all open for that sort of thing where I am. I do hack (alone) round the fields near me and he's perfectly fine. I dont know why he's different at XC's! It's not nappy so much as its like he doesn't seem to know where we're going as generally he isn't a nappy sort.

Yeah, hopefully it'll come with time / experience I guess. It's just irritating as he was much better last time out - although I think he's better if the first fence is near the start box, gives him something to focus on.
 
Hi MagicMelon

Rosie's a Welsh D and she was very similar to this as a youngster so maybe it's just the breed? Just bought a 2yr old D so will be able to tell you in a few years if she's the same!

Until midway through her 6th year, Rosie could only do a really slow canter. When I went on SJ clinics the instructors used to tell me to push her on as they felt she was going to slowly to jump. But when I did she invariably fell, so I stopped doing clinics and stuck to lessons with the same instructor who'd taught us since breaking.

I took her hunting 3 times when she was 4-5yrs, and then a couple of times in her 5yrs-6yrs old winters but she was dangerous so I stopped.

I used to go hacking with a friend to a local forest where we always had a gallop. Well, she galloped ahead and Rosie cantered slowly behind like a rocking horse, and couldn't be pushed on. Then one day out of the blue she just sped up and suddenly we were galloping. It was like she'd had a revelation!

When she was 7yrs old and a bit more sensible I started hunting her again. By then she was excitable but not dangerous, and could keep up. That sorted out the XC which she'd always been a bit nervous about and very stuffy.

Now she's the speediest thing on 4 legs.
 
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