Horse jumping obstacles

The size and type of obstacles vary depending on the course designer and the expected difficulty level of a particular competition.

Horses will need to negotiate many types of obstacles in order to be successful in jumping sports.

Down banks require the rider to lean further back, with slipped reins and heels closer to the front of the horse, in order to absorb the shock of the landing.

These jumps consist of a solid base with a brush placed on top, generally low enough for the horse to see over.

When jumping a bullfinch, the rider must stay tight in the saddle so that brush cannot be caught between his or her leg and the horse.

This canter gives the horse the power and agility to negotiate the obstacle, and also allows him the time needed to assess what is being asked, so that he may better complete the combination without problem.

Combinations are often one of the challenges of a course, and the course designer knows how to manipulate the distances and types of obstacles to make them more difficult.

However, other variables can greatly influence the difficulty: To negotiate a combination successfully, a rider must maintain the qualities needed in all riding: rhythm, balance, and impulsion as they approach the fence.

This usually results in a stop or run out, although some of the braver horses might "bank" a solid corner fence (touching down on it before quickly jumping off).

If the rider aims too far toward the apex, it is very easy for the horse to run right past, especially if it is unsure as to whether he is to jump the obstacle.

The corner is a precision fence, requiring accurate riding and good training, with the horse straight and between the rider's aids.

Due to the build of the fence, an uncommitted horse and rider pair may have a run-out at this type of obstacle.

It is best that the rider use their aids to "block" the horse from running out to the side, with a strong contact to prevent the shoulders from popping, and a supporting leg.

The rider should always focus ahead, rather than looking down into the ditch, to keep their balance aligned correctly and allow the horse to give their best effort.

Jumping drop fences places a good deal of stress on the horse's legs, and therefore practice should be kept to a minimum.

To help minimise the concussion on the horse's legs, the rider should encourage it to jump the fence as conservatively as possible, with little bascule or speed, using just enough power to safely clear the log before dropping down.

Drop fences require a great deal of trust of the horse in the rider, because often the animal can not see the landing until it is about to jump.

It is important for the rider to keep their leg on to the base, and not "drop" the horse before the fence, as this may result in a refusal.

In the air, the rider usually allows their shoulders to move slightly forward, and lifts their seatbones off the saddle until the peak of the jump.

This is especially true with drops because the landing is almost always slightly downhill, as this helps reduce concussion on the horse's legs.

Log fences are obstacles that are jumped in equestrian competition, including in the cross-country phase of eventing and in hunter paces.

They are the most common type of cross-country fence, including oxers, log piles, vertical, and triple bar obstacles.

Due to the risks, it is especially important to jump log fences in a forward manner with plenty of impulsion and good balance.

A bad approach or extravagant jump in can possibly ruin the rider's distances, which may result in a stop from the horse, or a fall.

Additionally, the quick change in the type of obstacle, from upright fence, to down bank, to upbank, makes it physically difficult for rider and horse.

The horse is encouraged to jump over the entire obstacle at once, similar to an oxer, however there are times where the animal may accidentally touch down on, or "bank," the top.

The Trakehnen area of East Prussia, originally wetlands, was drained by the Prussian kings in the 17th and 18th centuries, before a horse breeding program was begun.

The large drainage ditches, with fencelines in the bottom of them, were later used as a test for the 3-year-olds for suitability for breeding and war mounts.

Due to the build of the fence, the take-off spot for the horse was on the downside of the ditch, and the landing was on the upside.

Water is often a challenge on the cross-country course, and there are usually several riders at the largest events who get "dunked" when they reach the obstacle.