Tips?

[cursivenight]

I just wondered if anyone had any tips in keeping your horse focussed and in control when going on a cross country course. My barn is going for a fun day of picnics and riding lol. And we're gonna go on a big cross country course. I've never done it before, but my horse is amazing, he's never stopped at a fence.

Any tips?

[musiccraze777]

I've never done that before, but I saw Addie at her first show. If your horse has never done it before, I say just do it for fun, don't aim to win. And there's a probability that since you're new to it, you might not be able to win even if he's used to it. But if you had a good place to practice, you should still win.

I've never been in one of those shows, like I said, so the best advice I can give you is to stay in tune with your horse...which you probably already know...but just try to keep your movements in tune with his and watch where you're going, and hopefully, you'll be fine.

[StarGirl]

Stay relaxed, no matter what, you're just out for a day of fun. Horses sense people's nervousness through their breathing, because when ppl are nervous, their breathing changes. If you get nervous or scared, concentrate on your breathing, just stay calm and relaxed and HAVE FUN!!!

Let us know how it goes! :D

[silverleprichuan]

Be confident, alert, and relaxed.
Talk to your trainer about bringing along a slightly stronger bit if your horse tends to be forward because XC really brings out the "forward" in many horses.

When your out there let him move out in a controlled manner. If he's getting fast simply half-halt then leave him alone, if you constantly pull then it makes him tense and gives him something to brace against.
If you really feel unbalanced or to fast, there is nothing wrong with doing a few circles, especially on your first course. This first time is about having a fun and safe experience, not taking home a blue ribbon.

[mhoney05]

i heard something about whistleing to keep your horse alert like a song whistle. i do one like eeeeeee oooooooo like a donkey whistle or somethin

[silverleprichuan]

i heard something about whistleing to keep your horse alert like a song whistle. i do one like eeeeeee oooooooo like a donkey whistle or somethin


Never heard of whistling but singing keeps you relaxed. Singing forces you to breathe which helps prevent nervous riders from becoming tense. My trainer used to make me sing the Alphabet very loudly when I first learned to sit my mares insanely huge canter. It's rather embarassing but highly effective.

[mhoney05]

Never heard of whistling but singing keeps you relaxed. Singing forces you to breathe which helps prevent nervous riders from becoming tense. My trainer used to make me sing the Alphabet very loudly when I first learned to sit my mares insanely huge canter. It's rather embarassing but highly effective.

that makes sense..........i dont know about the whistle ......it might calm you down thogh or do somethin..........somethin......maybe it just agitates the horse....... now im just jokin around

[bethfornow]

Have fun and don't be nervous!!! You and your horse will take care of each other and if need be your trainer is gonna be there right??? XC is a blast but a lil stronger bit may be a good idea just in case.

[cursivenight]

Lol thanks for the tips guys. I'm getting him a stronger bit soon anyways. I'm not competing it's just for fun and I currently don't have a trainer but I I'm going with lots of others - two or three whom even and one of tehir trainers are gonna be there.

Thanks for the advice - I'm going to try the singing thing. Actually Anky Van...whatever's song to the FreeStyle with Solinaro in the last.. world games I think it was was in my head today. Lol.