Counting Strides: A life saver

A 2 month break, a year long break, whatever period of time that usually exceeds 2 weeks royally screws me over when counting strides in jumping.  I just loose all sense of rhythm.  Everything was fine until the bending line appeared.  Where did that come from?!  The bending line wouldn't make a liar out of me.

I insisted on (or rather my body did) on taking away steps before a 3'3" jump...big no no.  When my horse took the long distance I landing in my 2 point and a little ahead.  Being the spooky guy he is, he spooked and I fell.  Embarrassing.  Officially in the crash club at my new barn, hopefully I don't need a punch card!

To avoid that mistake again I am making a point to count my canter strides on the flat, whenever I am riding.  "1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2...." When that inside front leg hits the ground these numbers will be leaving my lips.

Jumping a line, I need to force myself to say the word "land" (when front hooves hit ground after the jump), then start counting again with that inside front let; "Land, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5"

This afternoon we will be counting strides on the flat until we are blue in the face!

A few good articles about counting strides:

HorseChannel.com, counting strides between fences

http://www.horsechannel.com/english-horse-training/counting-strides-between-jumps.aspx

Practical Horseman, measure distances between fences (walking a course)

http://www.equisearch.com/horses_riding_training/english/eventing/measure-the-distance-between-jumps/

Practical Horseman, strides down lines

http://www.equisearch.com/horses_riding_training/how-do-i-make-the-horse-strides-down-the-lines/