At 09:25:54 on 07.06.11, Zoe and Paddy wrote:
I have an ODE at the end of this month and was wondering if anyone had tips for jumping ditches? Last time I went XC training was in April and even though my pony is extremly brave XC he had a lot of trouble with the ditch. After stopping, running out and rearing numerous times he finally went over but not in a relaxed fashion. Then he started stopping again and one time I even fell off! I managed to get him over two or three times afterwards but didn't want to push or unnerve him further. Anyway I'm not sure whether I'll have a chance to go XC schooling or to a fun ride before so any tips on jumping ditches or how to make your own at home would be much appreciated. Thanks!

At 09:27:59 on 07.06.11, Zoe and Paddy wrote:

Above is a picture of us doing the ditch.

(Click here for larger view)

At 12:26:03 on 07.06.11, ToriSilverson wrote:
hey charlie used to have alot of bother with ditches. practice as much as you can over them to get him used to them...and when you do jump them look up, convince yourself the ditch isnt there, keep his head up and ride strongly at it. if neither of you look into the ditch there should be no problem. hope this helps, it worked for me and charlie.

At 17:47:29 on 07.06.11, Flicka wrote:
We jump a lot of ditches out hunting and my main tip is don't look down. Looking down is your first instinct but that tips your weight forward and focuses your horse into the ditch rather on onto the other side which is where you want to be! So don't look down, keep your shoulders back, your head up and focus on the other side. Then try and keep your horse straight, focused, not letting them turn away, but don't be too hard with your hands, if they feel restricted this is when they often rear. I also sit upright, if a bit behind the movement but am very quick to release with the hand so as not to catch the horse in the mouth. Remember keep calm and don't hold your breath-ditches can confuse a horse until they know what you want. Having your fingers in a neckstrap really helps. At home you can get a few black bin bags (black looks like a hole to them) and pin them down flat with a couple of jump poles to simulate a ditch. Hope that helps :)

At 23:09:50 on 07.06.11, JessAndGrenville123 wrote:
Don't look into it lol grenville used to always refuse ditches cos i would look down into them so he would be like WOAH WHAT WHAT *grenville looks down and stops to look* haha so i just look over it at the path on the other side, try not to think about it too much and look where you want to go :)

At 00:46:48 on 08.06.11, kibby wrote:
Don't look down (such a common solution to so many problems. Lol!) but yea focus all your energy on the other side of that ditch. When your coming up to it. Don't acknowledge it. Don't let yourself get tense. Just straight over the top. I used to be scared of them but then I got some great advice. I asked my friends mum how to ride the ditch. Her reply was "what ditch" helped me ever since.