636 | Riding a Horse that Chips In Before Take Off

You are cantering towards the jump... 3... 2... 1... But instead of the 'Jump' that should have followed the 1; you get a chip in.  A moment where your usually trusty horse decides to test both of you by inserting a little 'half stride' in there before takeoff!    The result is you do a great Thelwell impression and your horse does his best helicopter move; straight up and straight down...  Not a good feeling for anyone! Riding a horse that chips in or adds an extra half stride in before a jump is not enjoyable for anyone; the rider, the person watching, or the horse.  Of course, it can happen to anyone, we call have days where we get the stride to the fence wrong. However, for some horses, it becomes a habit that can seem almost impossible to break. This habit is uncomfortable and does little for building confidence to clear a course of fences safely.  However, before we look at how to begin working with a horse who adds a little stride here and there, it is important to first realize what this is and why it might be happening. Read More...