Brush fences...

I was pondering this lately - hoping HF has the answer..

Why, in cross country, do horses know they can jump through the brush on top of fences?

Always has fascinated me.. :)

The brush is generally low enough for the horse to see over

They don't always......

I remember one event when we were jumping a bullfinch (not named after me!!) and it was very tall. The horse didn't believe me when I tried to communicate the jump through and cleared the sucker.

Horses, through training and practice learn how to read your clues on approach to know what kind of effort to put into a jump. The solid elements used to be hidden in the brush, back in the day. Now, the solid element is very solid and visible.