I have a question for you coaches out there. I teach my friend to ride, and now she is jumping small fences (cross rails and tiny verticals). I am trying to teach her to "see" her distances. I tell her to count her strides (3,2,1, Jump), then get her to tell me if she went long, deep, or just right. I've been doing this for awhile, and she still has trouble telling where she is. Any suggestions that I can do to help her out? Or just wait it out and eventually she'll get it?

I always had a natural ability for seeing my distances, so I never really did have a problem with this, although I know others do sometimes. So I can't go by my own experiences....

Any help is appreciated. Teaching is great but difficult at times!

It is my opinion that trying to teach someone to "see distances" is not always the best approach. You should try to teach her about rhythm. Using poles or cavaletti's is better to start as well. if she can ride a great, and consistent rhythm, then the distances will find her. Keep in mind that jumping is mostly about good flat work and a great canter. When in doubt, maybe try to have a certified or very experienced coach come out every now & again to help her...and you together. Good luck.

I don't coach, but from a student point of view i can offer that I only started jumping about 3 years ago after riding dressage and hacking for years. Took me along time to see distances, for the longest time I had no idea what anyone was talking about "seeing distance" lol the counting helped alot...at the beginning there was alot of 3-2-1-1-1 hahahaha but one day after awhile it just clicked. counting into canter poles i find helped a lot... good luck! she's lucky to have someone like you that cares about her riding experience.

Is your friend's horse also inexperienced?

A couple of ideas that may be of use:
1) Two low cavalettis on a straight line set far apart, first canter through normal canter and count the strides (e.g. 6). Then have her canter through trying to fit in 5 strides and then 7.
2) When your friend graduates to doing low combinations (e.g. a 2 or 3 strides), have her set up the jumps and measure the distances ("walking the course"). This helps to visualize where the horse is supposed to take off and land.
3) For inexperienced horses (and why not riders), set a ground pole about three long human steps away from the jump. You can also add another one on the landing side. That helps the horse to find the right spot.
4) Overall drilling gymnastic lines is great for people/horses starting to jump

I agree on Horseyhorse's learning how to shrink/collect and extend the strides. ex fitting 8 into a 5 stride. I know I did a lot of that and it not only helped the horse learn to come back and go forward when I wanted them to but me as well in reconizing when I was going to be too long or short to the other pole. If they master the 2 poles on the ground try putting 3 and putting a collect (8 strides into a 6) and then and extension next (4 strides into a 5).

Basically though, it should naturally come with experience. That's what happened with me. If they are riding the same horse with that same rhythm it will eventually 'click' as they get comfortable to cantering and jumping.

I agree w/ Sandridge, learn to ride a rhythm, and the distance will find itself. Work over canter poles set at 60 feet and ride in a 5 and 6 stride, once that is accomplised, try a 4. Also when coming into a small fence, start counting outloud from 8 strides out, this will help you maintain your rhythm to the fence.