best approach into a big parallel

[buckmenotoff]

Anyone know the best approach into a big parallel (oxer)? My horse, a fairly lazy warmblood jumps large verticals ok, but often has the back rail down of a big parallel. Any exercises to get her jumping a greater distance across? thanks

[DavidH]

How big are we talking about? Approach will change based on height and spread.
How are you currently approaching them?

[buckmenotoff]

Between four foot three and four foot six. We're knocking about one in three attempts, which is obviously too much. i build the jumps as wide as they are high normally. if the spread is only four foot she doesn't knock them. This is jumping at home, in bsja we're competing newcomers, usually clear or four faults. i tend to approach slow and collected, then push on last few strides a bit quicker when i've seen the stride. if i come in quicker i would probably miss the stride and crash :0. She's seven, and we've been working on these heights for a few months now.

[DavidH]

OK, several things you can do.
1) Make sure you are only lengthening the last couple of stides and only by a small amount. Rythm of canter should not change.
2) Use poles on approach (5). First 3 at your normal canter stride length then the last 2 before the jump slightly longer. Pole 1 (nearest fence) should be a slightly longer stride than pole 2 so the horse progessively lenghtens.
3) Place a pole diagonally across the oxer from left wing of front rail to right wing of back rail, just resting on top rails. This will encourage a little more height and hence width to the jump.
4) Place 'A' frame poles from under front rail on to back rail. This will encourage a little more stretch and get the mare to focas more on back rail. Two caveats to this one. Firstly, only do this if the horse is scopey and secondly, make sure you ride the front rail as horse will focau on back rail.

With both excersis in 3 and 4 it is likely the horse will back off on approach initially so be prepared to apply leg strongly.
The important thing with oxers is dont rush the approach. It should be smooth, powerfull and above all progessive.

[buckmenotoff]

Thanks for tips davidh, will try them next time i ride her