I need some advice from people who jump!

JaneyWaney9 · 06-29-2010, 10:19 PM

Yesterday, I took Comet over a jump (on the lunge line). By the end of the training session, he was trotting over it like it was nothing (is this a good thing?)
Today, I increased the height until he had to jump over it, not trot. This was 2ft.

Should I keep going?
Pros:
-It has been my dream forever to jump.
-He seems to love doing it.

Cons:
-I don't want him injured (I use leg protection, but my mom is worried that he'll land wrong)
-I show him Hunt Seat in local shows. I don't want this new training to throw him off.

And if I do continue:

1. How soon should I ride him over jumps after we started?
2. The lunge line likes to get caught on the standards. Tips?

But do you think I should keep going?

Sunny · 06-30-2010, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaneyWaney9

--Teaching him to jump should not confuse him, so long as you make clear what it is you want him to do. Just take things slow, and give his muscles time to develop before you start jumping Grand Prix courses.--
1. How soon should I ride him over jumps after we started? --Any time. Start by taking him over groundpoles, then crossrails, etc...doing each one until you and he feel comfortable and confident. If he gets balky at one height, go back down to one he's comfortable with. Don't rush it, or you may put too much strain on his joints/tendons, as well as his mind.
--
2. The lunge line likes to get caught on the standards. Tips?
-- A jump pole can be set up at an angle against the standard for the line to slide up.--

But do you think I should keep going? --Yes, if your horse is of age, and you have guidance to help you and your horse learn the techniques properly. Jumping is amazing, and you'll have a blast doing it.--

My comments in between hypens.

Lauren Woodard · 07-07-2010, 06:55 PM

Don't worry about jumping your horse causing under saddle problems. That would just be a training issue that was going to come up for some other reason. That would be like saying you aren't capable of doing math and then cooking dinner in the evening.
I LOVE using barrels as you don't need standards and they are so clear and easy for horses of any age.

equiniphile · 07-07-2010, 07:03 PM

I agree, barrels, and if you want to go higher, use a jump standard on the outside and a barrel standing upright on the inside.

Take it slow, and don't lunge him over 2ft as it puts too much strain on the horse. Free lungeing is great, as are grids.

Lauren Woodard · 07-07-2010, 07:38 PM

IMHO Lunging over more than 2' can't do anything different to the landing than not being on a lunge. Horses can and do jump from close by and if well trained can stop right on the other side of the jump. As far as the size of the circle, whether there is a jump on the line shouldn't be a concern. Horse lunges on the 20' circle, that's the circle. Barrels/jump on the track, just so.
I think running a horse down a chute made of poles and standards or what-have-you causes horses to speed up and not keep their heads because someone is generally behind them chasing them.

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