Gymnastics for your Horse
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Posted
by Mara at
4/11/2009 11:44 AM PDT
on Horse Barn
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This week at Sycamore Stables my jumping lessons worked over a gymnastic exercise. Gymnastics are series of jumps in a row that encourage flexibility and adjustability from the horse and allow riders to focus on their position and straightness.
While there are numerous combinations that can be put together to make a gymnastic, this particular gymnastic exercise consisted of two bounces to a one stride jump. When riding a gymnastic it is important to start simple and add on jumps and increase height as you warm up and both you and your horse feel confident and comfortable.
We began with a simple cross rail and then added a small vertical 9ft away. Once everyone went successfully through I added another vertical 11ft away and eventually a small over approximately 21ft away.
It is important to remember that each horse has a different size stride and that you want to adjust the gymnastic to accommodate your horse.
