Adjust Your Horse's Stride with Gymnastic Jumping Exercises

feet square your horse would be working very very hard. That would be the biggest youd want to do the exercise.
Brian recommends that you focus your approach in three stages
Produce a very active and collected canter. The distances based on an average size horse with an average stride require that the exercise be approached at a very collected canter.
Look at the quality of your track. Ride deep into the corner bending the horse around your inside leg and focus on riding very straight to the gymnastic. Make sure the horse has at least three straight strides to be able to see the gymnastic he is about to jump.
Select a distance for the first vertical. The distance that interrupts the rhythm the least is the best choice. If you are faced with the option of moving up or waiting choose the more conservative waiting distance. This reinforces the message that you want the horse to remain collected throughout the exercise.
As you jump into the gymnastic Brian recommends that you focus on controlling your upper body so that youre not jumping ahead of your horse and give him time to slow his jump down and jump up to you. Choose a short crest or automatic release. A light connection to the horses mouth throughout the gymnastic will help him maintain his balance and collection. Use your voice if the horse is getting quick or if you see that youre getting deep to the next part of the gymnastic.