Starting To Jump

Trot Poles
When laying trot poles they are to be placed 3' apart. you want to start to tech your horse how to trot, trot poles by laying them in pares. Trot poles tech your horse how to measure its stride, it gives them rhythm and balance. Once you and your horse have mastered two poles, you can add a third pole. When doing trot poles the rider should be in their two-point, they should elivate their seat, but maintain their hips over the saddle.

Gymnastics

An Gymnastic on a horse is a great way to strengthen a horses back and its balance. They will also help depth perception, timing and proper release of the rider. Gymnastics teach horses how to measure distances and shorten or lengthen their strides quickly and accurately between obstacles. It improves their technech, and sense of timing.  when setting up a Gymnastic  you place a pole 9' in front of the cross rail. the pole preps the horse for the jump, not allowing them to take a canter step before. Then there is usually an bounce that follows creates suspension and forces the rider to stay with the motion and balance for the remaining one-stride and two-stride.

Measuring Distance - In a Gymnastic

Two large walking steps equals 6' or two trot steps, for a full sized horse.A bounce measures 9' which is three large steps. In a one stride it should walk seven large steps, which is about 21'. A two stride should measure 11 steps, which is about 33'.

~ Jaida
Give a horse what he needs and he will give you his heart in return.