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HORSE Magazine



Features : Cross-country rushing

Thursday 5 February 2009


Riding across-country provides some of the greatest thrills you can ever have in the saddle. But if you find you're more nervous than high on adrenaline as you wait to set off round the course, you're not alone.

Horses, too, can find the experience of going cross-country highly exciting. If your horse tends to pull like a train between fences and fights when you pull him up, it can be exhausting and frightening for you both, so Horse approached some leading expert riders and trainers for their advice on coping.

Chris King, event rider

Use homework to crack the problem, especially if it also happens in the show jumping phase. Schooling is preferable to introducing a stronger bit.

“Some horses only behave like this at an event, when the excitement kicks in, but using jumping grids at home and working on related distances will help,” he suggests.

“When you're schooling at home, try to prevent any rushing between fences by occasionally stopping the horse, patting him and turning around, so he learns to listen rather than run and fight.”

Lizzel Winter FBHS

The secret is in establishing a quiet rhythm. “School over cross-country fences at home in a consistent rhythm, rather than jumping one or two and then stopping there,” she says.

“Look for a pattern of behaviour. If your horse settles better when he competes frequently, try to event him in short 'blocks' throughout the season with time off in between.”

Gill Watson FBHS

Stick to a sensible pace. “Don't ride in top gear at an event until you have proper control,” she says. “If you need to slow down, steady the horse early so he can then move forwards towards the fence in nice control.”

Nick Gauntlett, event rider

Riders with poor body position can become 'tight' in the arms, according to Nick, making the problem worse.

“Draw your shoulders back and sit up, so your body is signalling to the horse to slow down,” he says. “Make a half-halt then relax. Don't start a tug of war – the horse will win.”


This is an extract from a training feature in Horse magazine. To read the article in full, buy the March issue, on sale from 5 February. Other eventing problems covered in the feature include: