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how to start him jumping??

This is a discussion on how to start him jumping?? within the Horse Training forums, part of the Keeping and Caring for Horses category; my second level dressage horse, whom i've just purchased, has never done ANY jumping, he is willing and kind and ...

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Old 12-03-2007, 07:01 PM   #1
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Default how to start him jumping??

my second level dressage horse, whom i've just purchased, has never done ANY jumping, he is willing and kind and just wants to please, so i know he'll try anything i tell him to, i just don't know where to start with him
what should i do to start him? how should i begin him for jumping?
any ideas!??!
thanks!
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Old 12-04-2007, 02:25 PM   #2
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well, I've never been into jumping before but I will answer this the best that I can. First I would start by walking over poles...He may take it big at first but just keep riding him at it. Once good at that I would start trotting. Then I would maybe even try a canter. After this try free jumping him. I have a video you can see of us free jumping an appendix last night. This would be so you can see how high your horse is capable of jumping, and also so you can see her/ his form over the jump and how you would ride it. Also, do you have an instructor to help you learn jumping? It is always good to learn with an instructor.

Free Jumping Luna.
http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b9...dviento111.flv
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Old 12-04-2007, 03:50 PM   #3
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yeh practice walk, trot and canter over the poles and lengthen/shorten his strides. also you can practice your 2 point and three point postitions. then you can add a small cross rail at the end.
i also agree with barnrat , free jumping is good to.
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Old 12-04-2007, 05:13 PM   #4
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hi! thanks so much for the feedback!

as for walking and trotting over poles, how should i distance them apart from one another? 5 ft? 6 ft?

Thx!
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Old 12-04-2007, 08:03 PM   #5
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Default Re: how to start him jumping??

First, get him used to a jumping position. Walk, trot, and canter while maintaining a correct jumping position. I'd suggest doing walk, trot and canter over poles, slightly raising them over the days/weeks as you both grow confident. Then I'd try lunging him over a tiny crossrail, just so you can see how he will jump it. I would NOT suggest seeing how high he can jump at this point because this is very new to him and you wouldn't want him to hurt himself. Next, I'd get on and walk up to the tiny crossrail and let him sniff it out. Once you both feel confident enough, try walking over it. Release with your hands as your going over but do not get into jumping position. It is important you stay relaxed and confident before and after the crossrail. Halt him a few strides after the jump. This teaches him not to run away from the fence. Once you both feel confident enough, you can try trotting it. Remember to stop a few strides after the jump you just trotted over. Be prepared for all sorts of ways he'd jump it (popping it, taking it really long, etc.)!

This will probably take days, maybe even weeks. It is will pay off in the long run to take it step-by-step. I'd do each step I just said one at a time and only take one step per day.Also, I cannot stress how important it is to stay relaxed, balanced, and confident for your horse! This will be a very new and stressful thing for him and the expirience will be ten times worse if you are not relaxed, balanced, and confident. Make sure to reward him alot too!

hope this helps
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Old 12-05-2007, 12:38 AM   #6
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for the trot I would try 6 feet....vary the distance if she keeps hitting the poles....for canter...I'm not sure...
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Old 12-12-2007, 12:29 AM   #7
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Walk: 4.5 to 5 feet
Trot: 6.5 to 7 feet
Canter: 9.5 to 10 feet
That's about how I set them for my horse, but the walk is a complete guess.
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