how to introduce a horse to cross country

[flintyboy]

How to introduce a horse to cross country...?
I do know that Casper has done a bit in the past but we have basically started from scratch sinse i got him and recently started jumping...then courses in the school..But i would like to take him to deep mill so i can try out some of the cross country jumps.
How should i go about this?
Thanx Chloe XXX

[cvb]

you can do some preparation with show jumps e.g.

- make x-c style jumps (V fence etc)
- try jumping at an X-C pace

and make sure you are confident at a certain level, and then go fo XC at a lower level ;) Take the jumps individually at first and let them see each one, then build up to a few at a time. Start with the simple stuff. Watch for the horse getting tired and stop while its still fun ;)

Do you have a JumpCross course anywhere nearby ? This might be a good way to start out ?

[helenc]

echo CVB

You can put logs or broken branches down as well as jumping logs whilst hacking.

As far as proper XC go - hire a course that has as many jumps as possible at varying heights. Start off jumping the small ones & see how things feel. Take one fence at a time - you can walk or trot from fence to fence so as not to push your horse too much too soon.

If there is a water complex then just start by walking through it, then trotting. Basically just take things steady for the first couple of times you go. If things are going well then have a canter in between a couple of the fences & build up to doing 6 or 7 in XC style.

Good luck