I've just started trotting over cross rails. Is this the beginning to jumping? If so, why have I not?

Question

cantered yet?

Answer 1

probably because your riding a riding school horse!

seriously theyre awful to learn to ride on but anyway.

Push the horse into a canter as your comming into the fence and it will feel more comfortable than trotting over it.

However, trotting into jumps does give you good balance over fences and it is the beginning of jumping. Your trainer peobably diddnt want you to fall off going over the jump but it is nicer when you start jumping 2-3 ft, you really feel that and its amazing!

good luck

Answer 2

I sometimes teach students to trot over caveletti (raised trot poles) before they canter.  The horse is not supposed to jump, just pick up his feet a little higher. Though occasionally a student will have a bit too much impulsion and get a little bit of a jump, its not set up that way.  Very often caveletti are set as a very small x, so perhaps that is what your trainer is having you do?

Btw, I expect a student should be able to post the trot & two-point without stirrups before they do caveletti or canter. I wouldn't send a beginner over anything other than a single pole on the ground without these skills.

Answer 3

how long have you been riding???

Answer 4

I was taught to trot crossrails long before i was taught to canter. You need to learn to have really good balance to be able to canter, and trotting crossrails is a really good way to do that..so yes, it is the beginning of jumping! And dont be worried if you trot the jumps for awhile because a horse can safely trot a jump that is 3'6. And its better to trot jumps because you and the horse have more time to think about your positions. Ive been training for about 6 or 7 years and i still trot fences every now and then just to make sure me and my horse remember to think:)

happy trails!

Answer 5

emo

Answer 6

Some instructors teach you to canter this way.  Sometimes, when a horse comes out of a jump, even if its trotting polls and small crossrails, it canters away.  This may be what you teacher is trying to get at, but I cant be sure.  I personally learned to canter by learning the aids (moving your outside leg back) and using them on a strait-a-way in the arena.  You instructor may also just be building your confidence and trying out somthing new while working on your form.  Some teachers wait a year to teach the canter, some wait a few months.  It depends on how well you are riding at the trot and if your teacher thinks you are ready.  It may even just be to spice up the lesson and make it a little more fun!  Good luck and remember to have fun!

Answer 7

Trotting over cross rails is a great way to learn two point (forward seat) and to learn not to interfere with the horse (yanking on the reins, etc). At slow speeds you can really get your leg and body position perfected.

Cantering should be learned separately, on the flat, and you should be very balanced at speed before you start cantering over cross rails. Trotting over rails may not be glamorous, but it's the best way to learn.

Answer 8

trotting is easier, but you are still jumping. you'll canter once you are really good at the trotting.

Answer 9

you need to be able to w/t/c with and without sturrips and have a good balanced seat before you even think of jumping, x-rails included.

Advice: get a new trainer before you get hurt.

edit: ok thumbs down all you want, but really NO ONE should be jumping before they can balance w/t/c on the flat. your just asking for falls, loss of confidence, and not to mention your equitation is probably not going to be all that great. There seems to be no more decent equitation riders (on the hunter circuit) anymore....and guess why, seems to me in the hunter circuit all they do is jump jump jump, heck who cares as long as you have a $20,000 to pack you around the fences! I would  if a trainer was pushing me to just jump, pull out and take my money else where. Flat work is the key to success over fences. oh and before any one starts crabbing that I don't know c**p about the hunter circuit, I was riding on it for the last two years until I finally was able to change barns because I was so darn sick of it. The riders can't ride, its based on who your trainer is and how much your horse is worth. and yes, if you were wondering I did show at "A" level shows.

Answer 10

Jumping small crossrails helps a lot with your balance, which is necessary for cantering.  I would, however, ask your instructor when you will be allowed to canter.  I would think cantering should come before jumping crossrails, although trotting over ground poles is a good exercise at any time.  

Jumping also helps you keep your heels down and build muscle

I would still ask your instructor... If you know anybody that owns a horse ask them if you can get a lesson on their horse with the owner and try cantering... it's really not that hard, you just have to get used to it

Once you've cantered on any horse, explain to your instructor that you've tried cantering and would like to practice it more

If you can't arrange that, just tell your instructor that you feel ready and would like to further progress your riding ability.