The Horse Forum banner
Status
Not open for further replies.

Harley and I jumping!

7K views 58 replies 16 participants last post by  shaggy 
#1 ·
#3 ·
Your horse is beautiful!He really listen and repsonds well to you and your very insync with eachother!
What I see that would help is that you need to lift your handsa good 5'' higher, right now they are in your lap, quiet and still but in your lap....even going over the small jump. The jump itself being so small and your horse taking it smoothly makes it so you dont need a big relase but, stearing and a small relase are needed so you dont catch him in the mouth.

Beofre you pick up your reisn think about loosening your supper bpdy up....lik wet noodles, shake your are out, twost side to side arms out like aireplane wings then up to the sky and do shoulder circles, this will all help keep a soft bend when your hands come out of your lap, you will need to shorten your reins just a bit when this happens.

because your hands are in your lap, and though your hands a nice a quiet they are pulling down on him and thats why his head is in their and neck looks pretty braced.

Is their a feild you could ride in other then this little area you are in?

All in all you look good and very stable. I think your legs are at a good place os that you can get more of a wrapping senstation around his barrel and seems he steeers off your seat pretty good?

The minis are super cute, the little one running around when you go past is too cute!
 
#7 ·
i agree with Oxer. Have a steady pace before and after the jump. Sure, change a few strides after. But not basically OVER the jump. Also, it looks like youre sitting over the jump as well as everywhere else... Raise your hands a bit and keep your saddle light so he can have spring off the ground, it could round out his jump more and make him steady on the back side. I am trying to be nice, bare with me.
 
#9 ·
I think its because my stirrups are a tad long. new saddle so havent adjusted. I was def not using his mouth to stabilize. This horse has an extremely hard mouth. Also he has a tendency to duck out of the jumps and I am just getting my confidence back so I made him approach slower. He also has a tendency to flatten out too much and go through the jump if I push him too much
 
#11 ·
I agree with Oxer, impulsion is nice when leading up to a jump. While it's pleasant to see him not rushing, he really ought to be into it too.
I think what Klassic was trying to say (it looks like she has a tough auto-correct) was that you should work on loosening up your upper body and reaching more forward into the jump.
So you can start your rides by stretching your arms, stretch them out to either side (like and airplane) make circles with your arms. Roll your shoulders in circles backwards to help open up your diaphragm and relax your upper body.
Then when you jump and go into your half seat you want to stretch your arms up a little less than half way up the horse's neck and stand well up out of the saddle. You should practice this regularly at the trot and canter to work on your balance before jumping like this. This will help your seat a great deal because it will help align your lower leg and keep your balance. You should be able to comfortably reach up and rest your hands on the horse's neck, standing up off the horse's back without actually resting weight on the horse's neck - this is tougher than it sounds ;)
I think that will help a great deal to allow the horse a little more room to jump.
While I love that your hands are so still and quiet, but they should be a bit more forward in general, and much more forward over the jump :)

So work on loosening up your upper half, stretching up into a full half seat when jumping and standing up well off the horse's back during the jump.
This diagram isn't perfect, but you can get the idea, when actually jumping I'd like to see the person even more forward than this:
 
#12 ·
The first thing I noticed is that you're using your reins for balance - can you go in a two point while in a walk, trot AND canter (and transitions between said gaits) without using the reins or neck for balance? I would be willing to bet $10 that you can't at the moment, which is causing some major balance issues.
Your horse can compensate by being a saint and just heaving himself over small jumps, but if you truly want to jump, you have to start with the basics.
At a walk, get up in the two point making sure that your weight is in your heels. Don't let your hands rest on your horse's neck, just maintain light contact. Stay up in the two point without falling forwards or backwards. Once you can do that for a few laps around the arena (consistently!!!!) then start by holding one arm out to the side, then the other arm. Remember, no butt-slapping or stabilizing on the neck! Once you have that mastered, move to the trot... then work on your walk/trot transitions... then move to the canter. Rinse, repeat. Then add in a few trot or canter poles.
You do not have any sort of jumping balance right now - which is OK!! 6 months ago I didn't have any to speak of either.. I'm just getting back into jumping, myself. My ankles still hurt after a good ride, and my legs burn, but I know that I'm way ahead of where I was even two months ago. You can really see the lack of stability in your jumping position upon landing - your leg swings and pops you back out of the saddle.
Your horse looks like a cute boy, and very forgiving. Give yourself the time to develop a good solid base so neither of you rush where you aren't ready to go just yet.
You need to shorten up your rein a good 6" and bring your hands up and forwards; you want a straight line from elbow to bit.
Are you working with a coach??
 
#13 ·
Nope :) just for fun! I don't want to be great at it, just to be able to say I can and survive. You see, when I let my horse go to a retirement home, I lost all my nerve for jumping. It has taken a long time for Harley and I to get to this point. Before Harley came this spring, I hadn't jumped in about 2 yrs and have never had any jumping lessons at all. I was just curious to see how my jumping was after having straight dressage and never having a jumping lesson and barely jumping at all
 
#17 ·
Sorry, HorseyChick94 - if you want to jump, you have to invest the time in learning how to do it correctly, not just "do it and survive." There's a LOT more that can go wrong with jumping than "just" riding around. Please please be safe - either take it seriously and learn how to do it properly, or maybe just not jumping isn't a bad idea. The way you're jumping now isn't correct and can end badly with either your horse becoming sore to the idea, or either one of you getting hurt.
What are you jumping in that video, by the way?
 
#20 ·
Yeah I am going to take some time to improve my jumping but im not looking to be "the best" out there. A lot of enjoyment is taken out of riding when people try to be perfect. Now I highly doubt that popping a horse over a low jump once in a blue moon is going to be detrimental. Ive seen way worse. I live out in the country so trust me, I have seen some crap that will make you cringe. This is nothing. These are the first jumps I have done in years just to get my confidence back. Nothing more, nothing less. Am I any good? Probably not. But im definitely not hurting my horse. BUT I will start investing my time into getting better just so I don't suck completely. Maybe I might even do a few shows but there are a lot of snobs out there that I don't want anything to do with. I am jumping bales of shavings in the video.
 
#23 ·
Dont do jumper shows if you dont bother to get a trainer, all im saying is maybe training wouldnt be such a bad idea.. An dude ive been jumping for over 8 years and i have alot to learn. Just get your basics down first like JustDressageIt said, then try again. Cheers'
Posted via Mobile Device
 
#36 ·
Being a long time jumper and rider for 14 years, i too have delt with snobbs, and i honestly am not one of them. I could be alot more crude toward you right now, and honestly at this point im using a lot of restraint not to be, but lets just meet in the middle and say this. You dont like me, and im quitting your thread and hoping you get some jumping sense before you get hurt. Mkay? HYDB*
Posted via Mobile Device
 
#38 ·
Being a long time jumper and rider for 14 years, i too have delt with snobbs, and i honestly am not one of them. I could be alot more crude toward you right now, and honestly at this point im using a lot of restraint not to be, but lets just meet in the middle and say this. You dont like me, and im quitting your thread and hoping you get some jumping sense before you get hurt. Mkay? HYDB*
Posted via Mobile Device
:rofl: excuse me for not taking you seriously. There is a rider in my town that has no jumping experience at all yet jumps a horse western in a 7 in shank bit though to prevent her from popping the horse in the mouth at the canter, she has to hold the saddle horn. I am NOT causing harm LMFAO
 
#37 ·
I think we need to remember the internet can make it difficult to really tell the emotion behind the words.
I think everyone should be aware of this- it can help us word things to be sure we don't offend people (unless that's what you're looking to do) and help us read everything with a great big grain of salt. Realize it's just someone on the other end of a computer and not take anything negative to heart.

I think the best thing to do is if we can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. We all have to realize that when we say anything negatively it's not going to be taken well... it's not like you're going to say something rudely to someone and they're just gonna go "Oh you're right I should do it your way". But sometimes if we word things nicely and aim at educating and helping people in a more open, gentle fashion you can make more progress that way. :)

We also have to remember that what someone types on the internet may have been said with the most positive intentions, but when typed out with no emotion it can come off very different. So we need to remember not to add emotions that aren't always what was intended.
 
#40 ·
I would say I have come a long way, too. For like 5 years I did nothing but walk. I was scared to death of TROTTING. I jumped on and off for about a year with trainers watching from facebook. Ones that WOULD say something if I was doing something harmful for my horse. That is why I find it a load of crap that someone would tell me otherwise. Its a bit dramatic. Im being safe. SOFT and LOW jumps approaching them SLOWLY and wearing a helmet. AND using proper tack
 

Attachments

#41 ·
In the picture you attached i see a rider that is ahead of the motion, pinching at the knee, with an unstable base of support causing the lower leg to swing back. This has made the horse heavy on his forehand and with a dangerously hanging leg, you two could wind up with a nasty rotational fall. A green horse with a green rider... means a rider whom is not setting the horse up to jump correctly and confidently. This means running out, slamming on the brakes, or crashes. So while it may all seem pretty harmless, a nasty fall is something neither one [you or your pony] need. So at the very least, I'd say to always jump with someone there with you. Just my opinion.
 
#42 · (Edited)
That newest picture looks Much better than everything in your video - is that new or old? There are still some things that could use work, but worlds better than what was in the video.

I don't think anything in the video was earth-shattering or concerning, but I do advice taking the positive advice given to you and learning from it to become a better rider. All in all it's better for you and your horse if you ride in a more appropriate way. It takes time and work to rebuild your abilities riding - so don't be dissuaded, but realize there IS still much more work to be done. There ALWAYS will be.
It's not about riding well enough for shows or for looking pretty, it's about riding in a way that's most comfortable and safe for rider and horse together. While little things can be forgiven and/or worked around, it's safest/easiest to learn and do it the right way. But we all need time to learn and practice :)

ETA: I just read Oxer's post - I completely agree with it all, but still that picture is better than what was in the video. That being said, there is still potentially dangerous situations that could come of it. Seeking more help is admirable, please head the advice you were given, work on that and keep looking for more help.
I also completely agree with having someone around while you're riding, even if your not jumping. I always have my fiance check out the window every couple minutes when I ride - just to make sure I'm not dead xD Even on the easy horses.
 
#45 ·
Horsey - I think if that's an old picture, you need to find a happy balance between you're old way of riding and your new. Your new seat is too stationary - your old one is too forward.

I'm curious why you haven't responded to anything I've mentioned? You only seem to respond when you need to 'defend' something. But I think people will feel less of a need to want to correct you if you try to come forward saying what you will be working on, more than what you won't be working on.

We all want to see you safe and happy with your horse. You're two styles of riding are both opposite extremes, both better than some atrocities you may see around you, but neither truly safe or ideal.
I think you could use taking the positive advice given to you on this forum, filter out the negative stuff - and build on it to make yourself a better rider as a whole. :)
After all - that's all we all really want - to enjoy safely riding with our favorite horses ^^
 
#47 ·
Its because you are nicer, more understanding, and more supportive. I guess I only stated what I wouldn't be working on because normally when I ask for critique, I get expected to be professional. I just want to be able to jump when I want to. Not show. I think I get really irritated easily, too because I am SO proud of being able to jump again and then having someone tell me I can't do it because I don't have a trainer. Its heartbreaking. Im not doing anything earth shattering wrong. Just when I feel happy about something, its usually crushed by someone saying I'm not good enough. That is why I am a backyard rider because I don't want to have to please everyone. Its impossible. I just want to be able to ride without having to worry about being ostracized for little things like my weight, my horse, my equipment, my facilities, etc. I have just been so hurt by the equestrian community. Im really disappointed by it. You are one of the few people that is actually nice but honest with me without being snarky or snobby. Which is why I haven't said anything
 
#48 ·
I don't know a darn thing about jumping or riding english, but you will get there :)

I think some good advice has been given, with advice you can take it or leave it, but most times it is best to hear everyone out, ask for help and how you can improve (even if it is just for fun :D) and do your best, to be your best. If you get a bad taste of advice, say "thank you" and let it go.

I think you did a great job and the minis in the back are so, so cute. I used to like jumping oh about 100lbs ago lol! But we ride western, and western saddles can hurt a horse jumping, we used to set up poles on 5 gallon buckets and jump the horses bare back around the yard. It was fun, looking back it was pretty stupid too.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top