Jumping

[nic]

Have just started jumping Spirit in the last few months and I am wondering if I am doing it all right and if there's anything I can do to help him.
He is jumping nicely, but has a lack of motivation and forwardness into the jumps. I started v v v low and gradually have put them up, and the higher they go the better he is getting as he has to i suppose to get over them. but are there any exercises anyone knows for horses that have recently started jumping? maybe to improve his forwardness into them etc?

[anna85]

Alot of ours go tens times better if they have a substantial jump in front of them, with the dales being such heavy animals they need the speed to get over them. Tucker used to jump much much better if he cantered into the jumps rather than trotted because its a much more natural gait to take off from.

If the jumps are too small there is a tendancy of the horse to either just not see them and trip over them or an element of lazyness sneaks in. If he's a new pony to jumping just make it fun for them, some take a while for it to click its a fun thing to do and then all of a sudden it clicks and they are raring to go.

[JoM]

Dancer goes a lot better if there is something to jump (I dont! LOL)! If we are jumping low jumps he just raises his legs a bit higher and 'high trots' over them! Or just bulldozes through them!

I would put up some small bounces. Big enough so they have to jump, but small enough not to scare the hell out of myself - no impulsion - no bounce!!

[lancslass]

loose school over jumps, let him enjoy the experience and gain experience of balancing himself without having to cope with a rider onboard. once he has sorted himself out then he will be much more forward and confident with a rider onboard.

[nic]

Ah thatd b good, only prob is he is rubbish at being luncged as he is TOTALLY not scared of the whip and just keeps coming into me! but maybe il give him another try this yr!
I am glad to hear I am not the only one who has to have the jumps big for them to bother jumping! I wouldn't mind jumping big on a horse I know can jump but when spirit has to have them so high and cant even jump v well yet its a big nerve racking lol. but to be fair, he hasnt done anything bad yet.....!
thanks for everyones advice! il just keep practising!

[shirlnjazz]

just take your time, dont over face him, if he is young then he wont be very fit or supple for jumping so this may be the reason too

[tinkerdorisalison]

Tinker does not have much impulsion from trot to jump so we are much better cantering even though that is not her most 'natural' pace!
Also a steady pairs / chase me charlie helps rev her up a bit

[fran]

Lol im lucky enough to have one that loves jumping and goes very very forward lol - mum doesnt like it though. I agree with karen and loose school him over them, i wouldnt do it too much because its like anything do so much off it and it becomes boring. when you are riding into the fence canter in and keep lots of leg on and if you find it helps growl at him lol. lots of praise when you get the pace you want though