Q: My horse is nervous going in the start box before XC. What are some exercises or techniques for keeping him relaxed between the warm-up and on course? Sincerely, Start Box Nerves

A: It is not unusual for horses (and riders!) to get wound up before XC. First, try to plan your warm up so that there is not too much time spent hanging around before starting. 20 minutes is usually plenty of time to get everything done. If your horse is difficult to get in the box, try hacking over there with the horse that goes right before you, so that he has company. If that is not possible, ride over to the box ahead of time and then back to warm up a few times, so that it is rather anticlimactic when it is time for you to really start. If you need a lead into the box, have someone meet you there with a leather shank. Loop the leather end of the shank through the bit so that your handler can easily slide it through when you are starting on course. Once you are in the area of the start box, walk in and out continually until the countdown has reached 10 or 15 seconds, allowing enough time for you to start your watch. All the time you are doing this, keep in mind that your state of mind is easily communicated to your horse. It is normal for you to be nervous, too, and so try to be aware of your body language and be as relaxed as you can. Talk to your horse and pat him, try to relax your reins when you feel most like tightening them. One other thing, if you have a friend in warm up who has a quiet horse, walk around with them before you go over to the box. Horses love company, and yours might be reassured by a quiet friend nearby. Good luck!

See you in the warm up.

"/ATEphotos/Nanci Lindroth’s accomplishments speak for themselves: she was long-listed for the 1980 Olympics, and was a member of the 1987 PamAm Games Eventing Gold Medal Team. Lindroth is a Level 3 ICP Certified Instructor with over 20 years of experience training horses and riders; her past students include USET riders Dorothy Trapp Crowell and Teresa Hover Koral. A breeder of Irish horses for two decades and a USEF “r” Judge in Dressage and Eventing, Lindroth has shown FEI dressage and is currently competing at third level on Farah Diba F. She is based at Windfall Farm in Derby, NC. For more information, go to www.windfallfarm.com .