How to Make XC Jumping a Positive Experience for Your Horse - Freckles' First Go at XC!

Taking Freckles cross-country for the first time, I wanted it to be an experience he enjoyed and that boosted his confidence and our relationship.
It can be so easy to overface our horse or expect too much of them and end up in a bit of a battle. My approach is always to take it slow, work at the right level for my horse and prioritise our joy throughout. This does mean that there isn't much drama or impressive jumping in this video!
If you want to find out more about how I use positive reinforcement to introduce my horses to new environments and obstacles, this video is for you. I clicker train my horses and you'll see me marking and rewarding frequently in this video.
Of course, prior to this, freckles had plenty of preparation. These are some things I trained before attempting xc fences:
- Balanced groundwork and riding at walk, trot and canter plus basic lateral exercises.
- Calm and connected riding and cantering in open spaces.
- Plenty of polework and jumping in an arena.
- Relaxed and confident travelling to new environments.
When you put all the building blocks in place, each step should feel achievable and fun for both of you. This is always my aim in training.
I went on this trip with my friend, Sophie, and her mare, Elfine, at the wonderful Escrick Park Rideways.
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#horseclickertraining #positivereinforcementhorsetraining #rewardbasedhorsetraining

[@fizzyizzy8261]

Oh my. I love your horsebox! Super video. Thanks for taking us along with you.

[@countryquestportugal7711]

Lovely. Really enjoyed watching this - beautiful seeing the horses being allowed to say no at the fences without whipping and raised voices. Really nice work!

[@MariSheWolf]

I've subscribed to your channel 'cus I really love your positive training technique. The horses are relaxed, and the fact that you use bitless bridles really shows how gentle and loving you are towards your animals.

[@horsemom6421]

I absolutely love your approach! I do the same thing with my horses. Sometimes people overlook the horses try. just going up to the jump is a try. I never get in a fight with them. When they're ready they're ready. I believe they will do it when they are. Unfortunately I see a lot of whips during my group lessons & I feel it ruins trust.

[@amyq1576]

I absolutely love this way of training horses fun for all involved no pressure or stress lovely to watch ❤️🤗

[@shevhunter986]

I love your unpressurised approach - no stress just fun x

[@venlakirahvi]

Thanks for sharing, really heartwarming and inspiring.

[@JezditelkaEvaHorlick]

Thank you for great video ❤️

[@ConnectionTraining]

thanks, glad you enjoyed it :-)

[@edcarver390]

I like to think that it isn't a no, so much as a "I'm not ready to try that, yet"

[@ConnectionTraining]

yes absolutely :-)

[@koniczka2000]

Thank you for this video! I'm thinking about starting cross-country for some years now, but cannot find any stable witch such obstacles and field near me, so it'll take even longer for me to start, but thank you! Maybe I'll start when I'll get my first horse :) Greetings

[@elliescott5550]

Did you go to escrick rideways ?

[@chloebailey7036]

Awesome! I would love to be able to do this with my horses one day. I have some questions, how did you carry 3 hours worth of treats with you? Did you ride for the whole 3 hours or did you get off at all? Apart from the water jump? It's great to see how you make it such a positive experience for the horses and you all seem to be thoroughly enjoying yourselves!

[@ConnectionTraining]

I ride with a big treatbag, but also used grazing as a reward, so that got us through the time. We led for a bit in the middle to give the horses a little break since they're not used to long distances and jumping, but they're both fairly fit as they're exercised 5 days per week. Hope that helps and yes we all had a blast, thank you!! :-)

[@chloebailey7036]

@@ConnectionTraining amazing, thank you :)

[@Keadyeva]

What bridle are you using on Freckles? It does look really nice.

[@ConnectionTraining]

This is a regular comfort bridle (shaped and padded), that I had a saddler adapt into a sidepull bitless bridle. She just attached the noseband to the cheek pieces so it fits there instead of a bit, and added rings for the reins. I also had a ring added at the back of the noseband for leading from like a headcollar. It's great!

[@georgie5545]

Where is this course its amazing

[@ConnectionTraining]

it's Escrick Park in Yorkshire