From: Angela
Hi. I'm a new subscriber from New Zealand. I have a 10 year old TB who I event. I wondered if you could give me some advice about jumping ditches. In October I am going to a big Pony Club competition and I'm scared that if there is a ditch on the course I am going to get eliminated. When I'm out on rides I can easily get my horses to jump small, natural ditches but anything that is wide or deep or looks man-made he stops at and looks down into. I try looking over the other side and holding him at it when he stops but he just starts to rear. He is generally an honest jumper but this is a real problem as most ODEs at open level (3'5") have a massive ditch. Do you have any advice?
Thanks, Angela
Hi Angela! It sounds to me as though you're going to have to make yourself a ditch for practice -- or, at least, something that looks like a ditch. ;-) If your horse will jump small ditches easily and willingly, he's obviously not hopeless about ditches in general. That's a good start.
Width and depth can indeed worry horses, and they definitely worry riders.
Quite often, the horse that stops at larger ditches proves to be stopping because of something the rider is doing without being aware of it. It's not always easy to "see your stride" to a wide ditch, and if you unconsciously hold the horse back as you wait for that magic moment, you'll end up having a horse that won't go, because he can't go. Oddly enough, you can cause the same problem by racing flat-out on your way to the ditch, hoping that the speed and momentum will carry you over it. If the horse is taking long, flat strides, he won't be able to gather himself enough to make the leap.
Open ditches need to be ridden like many other cross-country fences: on an increasing stride. This doesn't mean "as fast as possible", it means that you need to set the horse up well before the ditch -- at least a hundred yards before the jump. Horses don't always see ditches until they are quite close to them, and you need a strong approach so that the horse can jump big. If you approach the ditch at a strong, round, bouncy canter and encourage the horse to move out (the increasing stride) during the last few strides of the approach, he'll be able to find his spot and make a powerful, energetic jump.
This approach will also help you stay with your horse; if you are leaning forward, committed to a fast, flat gallop, and the horse sees the ditch and shortens/hesitates, as many horses DO, you'll find that you are ahead of his movement. If you're ahead of the movement, it will be hard for you to stay on board, and almost impossible for your horse to jump at all. If you stay in a good cross-country position -- very slightly BEHIND the movement, in a strong position to urge the horse forward -- you'll be able to deal with any hesitation without losing your position or balance.
If you're coming in and you feel the horse shorten or hesitate, that's the time to encourage him strongly with voice, legs, and whip -- don't wait until he has stopped or run out. Encouragement "Come ON, let's GO!" is always infinitely more effective than any after-the-stop punishment could be.
I understand that you want to keep your contact with the horse's mouth as you approach the jump, to be sure that he jumps honestly and straight, but you're going to have to be absolutely certain that you allow him all the freedom he needs for the takeoff and for the jump iself. Being held on a tight rein is a good reason for a horse to REFUSE a wide ditch -- without the free use of his head and neck, he won't be able to clear the jump.
You'll have to be very balanced and flexible so that you can keep your horse coming in straight, and still allow him to stretch his head and neck into and over the jump. Be ready to reach forward with both arms, allowing the reins to slide through your fingers if necessary to give the horse maximum freedom.
Whatever you do, don't hold hard or lock your elbows, and don't stand up in your stirrups or look down. Any sudden movement, and any restriction of the horse's movement, can cause a (legitimate) refusal. Remember that you and your horse alternate "being in charge" around the course: you are in control between jumps and on the approach to jumps and going away from jumps, but your HORSE must be in control from takeoff to landing. Once you've reached the point of take-off, you are no longer in charge, your horse is! It's his job to get both of you to the other side of the jump safely; it's your job to stay out of his way and let him do HIS job.
Before you ask the horse to jump large ditches in competition, though, you should school over them at home. Horses, like riders, need to be taught how to jump large, wide ditches. One way to do this is to create a ditch for practice purposes. It doesn't have to be very wide or deep at first; even a narrow plowed strip of land will serve. Once the horse is willing to go forward and jump willingly, you can begin to add to the width and depth. If you do it gradually, the horse will remain confident, and will continue to jump bravely.
If your horse has trouble estimating the width of the ditch, help him by placing a pole over the ditch, at a height that encourages him to jump in an arc that will take in the entire ditch. This will give him, and you, something to look at, and a way to estimate the size of the ditch.
At home and in competition, don't forget to pat and praise the horse after the jump -- no matter how badly he jumps. He needs the encouragement, and he'll jump better next time if he knows that you are pleased with him for making the effort.
Good luck at your October competition, and let me know how it goes!
Jessica
Jessica Jahiel's HORSE-SENSE is a free, subscriber-supported electronic Q&A email newsletter which deals with all aspects of horses, their management, riding, and training. For more information, please visit www.horse-sense.org
Please visit Jessica Jahiel: Holistic Horsemanship® [www.jessicajahiel.com] for more information on Jessica Jahiel's clinics, video lessons, phone consultations, books, articles, columns, and expert witness and litigation consultant services.