In the effort to reduce rotationals - this new system has been developed - really cool video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tjWiT7EDzY&feature=player_embedded
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www.prospectequinefarms.com - Warmblood/Draft Cross Sport Horses. New Horse Hay Feeder
I'm glad to know there is a new system and I hope it becomes widely used. I'm certain, in this day and age, a cross country course can be designed that is as challenging as it needs to be, but without such a horrendous punishment as a rotational fall for a mistake.
My concern about this is that unless it is done for all jumps on all courses, it may be more dangerous as some horses may become sloppier jumpers and then get a surprise when they do hit a solid fence.
My concern about this is that unless it is done for all jumps on all courses, it may be more dangerous as some horses may become sloppier jumpers and then get a surprise when they do hit a solid fence.
I think that would be the least of my concerns - they are smart enough to know that the jumps look solid - it is only when they are in a bad spot or something goes wrong that they usually hit the jump - then you would be really glad if this was in place for most situations - and in all likelihood most people would continue to school on solid jumps.
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www.prospectequinefarms.com - Warmblood/Draft Cross Sport Horses. New Horse Hay Feeder
Is it my imagination, but have there been fewer reports of eventing disasters this season? (Not that I want to jinx anyone!!) Do you think changes in fence construction are the reason?
Interesting thought! I hadn't thought about less accidents happening/being reported in the Eventing world this season (knock on wood!). Now I'm wondering the same thing, how are the new safety features working out?
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Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway. - John Wayne
The question is WHY rotational falls happen to begin with after them being minimal for yearsssss. I think this is NOT going to help. In times past with 'long venue' the horses raced over brush (jump through fences), did roads and tracks, and did big concentrated fences. They learns what came down and what didn't. But MOST importantly the horses were ridden up and open and with less hardware in their faces.
Fragible pins are NOT going to help horses which don't take off at all (like the horse that rotationaled in KY a couple of years ago, or for horses which are too slow (where an olympic rider was badly hurt). It's the venue and the training (lack of time learning how to take a fence and not waste strength)....the new 'clean and jerk' hunter type jumper does NOT work when horses are tired.