More Help Please

[cadmus]

Sorry, Im coming across all new things lately.

Is anyone familiar with the step over thingys that they have at either side of bridle paths? They are designed for horses, then at either side of these, there are gates and bike stopper bars. If you dont know, Ill take a picture next time Im out.

WEll....Lester thinks we have to jump them....and when I say jump, I mean clear them by about 4 foot!! I mean, its great that he has such a great jump on him, but its not ideal as most of them are on concrete and I could easily break my leg on the bars at the side if we jump funny.

We tried going first, we tried sending Jules through first....million dollar question is this...

HOW DO I GET HIM TO WALK THROUGH THEM RATHER THAN JUMP THE LOT?

Desperately need suggestions as they are all over where I am and I would be very limited to the riding in my area if I could not get him through them.

I was thinking to maybe take him to the one near the yard on a lunge line with some treats, but a bit worried that he might jump on top of me. You cant put any pressure on them at things like this or he will just back off and never go near them.

Hope you can help

[mellj]

Hi Cadmus (Sorry don't kow you real name!)

I know the sorts of things you mean. They had them round your area when I used to ride my 1st pony out that way...but they where made of wood!!

I would do what you suggest and try him 'in hand' Or could you 'construct' something similar at home to try him through?

My pony wouldn't go through them at all to start with I had to give her a big boot and then she went through!

[lisah]

I would suggest the same as MellJ - try leading him over it .

LisaH xxxxx

[cadmus]

Yes they are made of wood, like 2 railway sleepers a yard apart, bu they have a gate at one side and other big green bars at the other.

Yeah, Im going to take him down on a lunge line with some treats either tonight or tomorrow and see how we get on.

I cant think of any other way but to try and try again unti lhe gets it right, its just a bit scary taking off from stand still at that height...he certainly has a massive jump on him, hope he uses it well when we start jumping.

[mellj]

The ones I used to ride through where on the disused NCB Railway line and they where 2 sleepers a yard apart, but they had fencing either side of them. Obviously times have changed and they have to accomodate cyclists etc.

I used to ride from Brigshaw school to Garforth I think You can go all the way from Allerton Now can't you?

I also used to ride in the woods up Doctors lane and follow the road and tracks to brigshaw and get on the bridleway there! I did used to ride all the way in from Castleford itself!! LOL

[bobby]

It's still the same Mell,

Bob's idea when he first saw them was to put his front feet in the middle, then turn his head and say what do i do now??? I used to have to get of then he would follow me through them.

[cadmus]

Yep Mell, they are still the same, you can go all over on the "lines", its great hacking.

Well bobby at least he put his feet in them and not 4 foot over them, I bet we could have done beeches brook with the last jump

[bobby]

No, jumping is far too energetic. He did get them eventually though.

[mellj]

At least somethings have remained the same over the years then!!

Hey had a thought

If I go to one of the parades at Ponte I could stop at my mums on the way back and take Ellie for a hack... ... leaving the girls with mum!

[bobby]

Good idea Mell, we could all go.

[cadmus]

Yeah what a great idea!!

Im sure that will be eventful

[bingbong]

i know what you mean we have them everywhere here too at first coisty wouldnt go over them as it is a narrow space and he wasnt sure and now he does the same and jumps them, i thik its a nervous thing though im not sure if its the same with lester ?? but coisty doesnt want to go over them cos he is scared but knowes he has too cos he wants to do what his mum is asking him too so i think he thinks if he jumps it, it gets it over and odne with quickly.
with him i have to give him his reins and let him sniff if and figure it out and give him a pat to reasure him and let him go over in his own time - with him it doesnt help to slow him with the reins and pull him as this makes him more worked up

not sure if iv helped you any but at least you know your not alone

[claireandchief]

How did the practice go? Hope he kept his feet on the floor.

[cadmus]

I didnt try him last night, I went out on Jack with Bailey as Ive not ridden Jack for 3 days, then we went on a "Bluebell Outing" to find some fly spray.

We are riding out with Mick and Jules tonight and we are going on a longer ride, we'l be out for about 1 and a half hours and there is only one step thing to get through or over.

At least I will get more of a feel for riding him after a longer ride though.

[bingbong]

maybe once he has a bit of it taken out of him he wont have the energy left to jump them lol well thats the plan ha ha