Part 1: Robin introduces the young rider and her talented warmblood mare who are successfully competing at one star level. He explains that the mare is dragging the rider into fences and the rider is breaking rhythm and struggling while trying to correct this. Robin shares that although in an ideal world every horse could ride in a snaffle bit and cavasson nose band, this is not reality. They try a three ring bit with a waterford mouth piece. Robin cautions that care is exercised when first changing a bit, especially with young horses, and talks through safety points and his process of trying a new bridle set up. The rider slowly works up to galloping and doing a small cross country jump in the new bit. Robin supports her as she overcomes issues created before the bit change.
Up Next in Cross-Country
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Trying Different Bits & Nosebands - T...
Trailer for rider, trainer and ICP Level 4 USEA Instructor, Robin Walker's Trying Different Bits & Nosebands session. Join Robin as he works with a horse who tends to drag the rider through fences, on the cross country course. They try different bits and nosebands to try to create a softer, and m...
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Novice Level Warm-up Course
To begin their cross-country school, William has the riders start over small, inviting jumps to warm up. He wants the horses to go in a forward and soft rhythm to stay relaxed. This gives both horses and riders the chance build confidence.
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Novice Level Ditches
William coaches riders over ditches alone first and then with fences before and after the ditch. His emphasis is on riding the horse straight. If the horse spooks and stops at a ditch, William wants him to jump it from a standstill. He stresses to put the leg on and stay with the horse if it hesi...
