"Hello, a question for Sharon, your expert:

I have been working with a client and her six-year-old for the last year. They have progressed well from winning first training classes to completing several Intros with a few lower placings. The problem is that despite fair flatwork, he jumps hollow and flat. Consequently he struggles to jump cleanly. He is okay over smaller fences, but as they go up to a metre, he tends to jump in a more stag like fashion and he won't use his back at all. We have used bounces and simple grids and take off poles and v poles and tried jumping him from walk - anything to make him use his body. Jumping him in draw reins helped a little, encouraging a bascule, but we didn't like that solution - it's not classical and it's a quick fix that does not address the real problem. He doesn't push off his hocks, so we have ridden many walk canter transitions to build his engagement ability. He has had his back checked and there are no apparent problems. He is ridden by a very competent rider who has been 4* in the past, so I don't think the problem is rider related.

Maybe this horse is limited to smaller fences, but before we conclude that do you have any suggestions?

Many thanks, Lisa."

H&C blogger and Olympic bronze medallist Sharon Hunt replies: "Hi Lisa, my answer to this is that I would try a few things: firstly I'd put landing poles down in a grid after the fences (so he looks) but keep them easy. I actually wouldn't do bounces as I don't feel it makes them jump in a good shape. I'd use spreads rather than uprights, as this also encourages a better shape.

Most importantly I'd make sure he isn't too light in the hand, rather than use draw reins which may give a short term help I'd make sure he keeps the contact to, over and after the fence as more often the horse drop the contact therefore can hollow, I would always ride him away from the fence too to encourage this. Often if a horse doesn't use it's back, we'd soften more but I'd gently make the horse accept this and hopefully build up more confidence and consistency in his jumping. Also make sure the exercises aren't too hard as you don't want to demoralise the horse when it could just be weak or lacking technique.

Best wishes,
Sharon."