How to Train a Horse for Steeplechasing

Steeplechasing is one of the oldest forms of horse racing still practiced in the modern world. The Steeplechase is so named because of the fact that a town's church steeple was the most visible building both inside and out of the town's limits. Participants would make their way into the town using only the steeple to guide them. Some of the paths would have unexpected obstacles that the horses would need to clear in order to proceed. Modern steeplechasing isn't nearly as wild or unpredictable, but rigorous training in involved to help develop a horse to become a professional steeplechaser.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Begin to train your horse for steeplechasing by setting up a practice area with low jumps. Remember that each obstacle is traditionally supposed to have a certain amount of space between it and the next obstacle, and that not all jumps are made the same.

2. Walk your horse around the obstacles in the direction that you will eventually complete the run. This allows your horse to become acquainted with the obstacle, and helps the horse visualize the course ahead of him once you begin jumping.

3. Build your jumps extremely low for the beginning of the training. A horse's natural instinct is not actually to jump over something lying on the ground, but to go around it, just like most animals, humans included. Ultimately, to train a steeplechasing horse is more accurately to un-train their instincts. Begin the jumps with only the first bar installed.

4. Add on higher bars to the obstacles as your horse becomes more confident in the lower jumps. Once you reach the point where you are adding height to the obstacles, you've already managed the hard part of getting the horse to jump at all in the first place.

5. Run your horse slowly until you are both used to the jumps. Once you have successfully accomplished the jumping, then you can worry about the time limits. At this stage it's best if the horse simply learns how to negotiate the turns and jumps safely.

6. Add a time limit to the exercise when you feel both you and the horse are ready. Now is where the horse not only learns the basic mechanics of steeplechasing, but develops the courage and confidence to jump.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wear protective head gear when training your horse over jumps, or riding on the flat.
• Training a horse for steeplechasing should be conducted with the supervision of an experienced trainer.
• Train your horse with respect and care, being sure not to hurt the animal or become overly aggressive.
• Only take jumps if you are an experienced and confident rider who has been properly trained to jump. Falling from a horse can cause serious injury or death, so being prepared for that jump and knowing what to do is extremely important.

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