Basic Grid question

[eventer2002]

Do you always trot into grids? Or do you sometimes canter into them?

[lstevenson]

I wouldn't canter in with a greenie, but more experienced horses benefit greatly from cantering into grids.

[BigRuss1996]

Both...it depends on the exercise

[BaroquePony]

Both, but you need to space your poles differently for the trot stride vs the canter stride, and spacing also depends on the size of the stride of the individual horse or pony.

Avg. 4' for trot poles and 10-11' for canter poles. Do it once and then check where the hoof prints are landing - hoofprints should be in the center between the two poles. Adjust accordingly. Do it again, check your hoofprints again and see if you are getting the rythym and length of stride that you want.

Edit to ad: depends on your definition of a grid and what you are trying to accomplish.

[yellowbritches]

Depends on the exercise and the horse. Babies new to jumping rarely will canter into a grid, they just don't have the strength or the ability to canter in as quietly as most canter grids require. Same goes for a out of shape/weak horse.

I will add, though, that if a youngster or over bold horse keeps trying to overule its rider and canter in, we'll let them. Usually they make it too hard for themselves and are more willing to listen the next time around. :yes: Also why there is often a bounce or double bounce set up in the ring when we are dealing with a rusher. Same concept...you wanna rush? OK. Rush this.

[flypony74]

Both. It depends on the exercise, the horse, and what I am working to accomplish with the exercise.

[Duramax]

You can do either (spacing would need to be done accordingly of course). I do it especially when I'm teaching a lesson with a 16'something hand horse and a 14 hand pony- have the pony canter in! :lol: I remember an article written by some big name show jumper that said he only has horses canter into grids- he felt that trotting in was irrelevant to what their sport asks them to do, fwiw (not my own personal opinion).

[beeblebrox]

If our asking this question (this is a honest answer ok not a mean answer) Than you need to find a professional. I say this as I have been at some barns in my many years where I see well many people try and help or teach people to use grids. GRIDS can be one of the most useful tools ever and one of the most detrimental tools which can take a horses confidence away.


Young horses can be tough as you need to have a pro or someone very good to adjust poles while young horses figures things out.

The answer to your question is horses may walk, trot or canter into grids. I have had young horses who canter in who are not quite forward and those who need to trot as they are to eager.

Jimmy has a great grid the is 3 bounces to one stride and a hogs back (3'3 to 3'7) and then one stride to 3 more bounces. We started elsewhere on other gymnastics and did that one just like that. You canter it and he does not let you adjust coming in, so this is a much more advance type grid than say your standard trot in pole, x-rail, vertical and oxer at end.

Also you must choose the right type of grid depending on your horse and what you are trying to achieve. As I stated you can do more damage with a grid than positive if you are not careful

[TBROCKS]

If our asking this question (this is a honest answer ok not a mean answer) Than you need to find a professional.

That's pretty condenscending. The OP asked a legitimate question. Maybe they've been meaning to ask their trainer but they keep forgetting.

[beeblebrox]

"
Originally Posted by beeblebrox
If our asking this question (this is a honest answer ok not a mean answer) Than you need to find a professional."

TBROCKS WROTE:
That's pretty condenscending (condescending?)
The OP asked a legitimate question. Maybe they've been meaning to ask their trainer but they keep forgetting."

I beg to differ, if your asking weather you can canter some grids you should NOT be cantering grids as it requires more insight and preparation than trotting in and a balanced adjustable horse to be done well. The horses welfare always sits a little higher in these situations for me than the person as horses rarely have a choice. IF you bothered to read I said the comment was not to be mean but honest as it is hard for some to hear they should possibly seek professional advise. Some riders do not understand that grids can be as detrimental as educational. I will stand by that a person not familiar with grids should find a professional and you need to take a little time and read.
;-)

[TBROCKS]

"
Originally Posted by beeblebrox
If our asking this question (this is a honest answer ok not a mean answer) Than you need to find a professional."

TBROCKS WROTE:
That's pretty condenscending (condescending?)
The OP asked a legitimate question. Maybe they've been meaning to ask their trainer but they keep forgetting."

if your (you're?) asking weather (whether?) you can canter some grids


They weren't. They asked: "Do you always trot into grids? Or do you sometimes canter into them?"
A simple question that didn't require your barking at the OP to get help. Sheesh.

[NRB]

you can set grids up for trot OR canter exercises. But I don't trot my canter grids and vice versa. The distances are different.

Jimmy Wofford has a good book out on gymnastics, so does Linda Allen. check them out for trot and canter grids.

Usually I set up a trot grid then tear it down and reset the fences for canter. So I progress from trot to canter......if that makes any sense.

I do not intend to trot a canter grid, but if the pony pops in a trot stride I don't fret, like Yellowbritches mentioned I let the grid sort the horse out.