Okay so Tia has been doing really well with her jumping, but ever since I started her I have noticed that when she takes a long take-off spot, she has the strangest form upon landing off of the jump. She unfolds her front legs too early (sometimes before her back legs have even left the ground) and therefore has to unfold her back legs early as well. She normally leaves the jumps up, even when she jumps like this, but its the strangest thing to look at. I realize that since she really only does this when she takes a long spot, that the best way to fix it would be to help her see "the box" in which she needs to be taking off in. I just can't remember the correct exercises for helping that. We already have a ground-line in front of the jump, and I'm sure that ground poles set at certain strides before the jump would be helpful. Also figured that tight bounces (vertical to an oxer type bounces) or lines with ground poles set in between jumps, would help her with not only learning to see a take-off spot, but learning to fix herself in a short period of time. So I have attached pictures of her while she is unfolding her front legs too early...and am asking the following:
1. Have you ever seen a horse do this before?
& 2. What can I do to fix it? (Other than what I have mentioned above)
If anyone wants to suggest exercises for her, that would be great. Also it should be known that as of now I am not able to ride her any faster than a trot, and jumping in not allowed for me right now either (7 months pregnant) So she is stuck with lunging over jumps (which sucks cause I could help her find her take-off spot) Anyway, help is always welcome.
Pictures of the odd form:
Strange Right? Here is a picture of her normal form over jumps (when she doesn't take a long spot)
Ha! At my barn we call that "the flyer"!! How old is this mare? She just seems green to me. Has to train her eye and see her own distances. I appreciate her hind end though. Very nice and active. I think once she gets a better eye to the base, the rest will work itself out.
Post Script: a ground line might help out with this too.
Haha! That is bizarre. I agree with Oxer on the green-ness. Unfortunately I don't know of any exercises other than what you've already thought of, but at least you know she'll have a big jump to her!
Yup she is just green and really game which is great. Gymnastics is the way to go. Really super great for the horse and rider. You need lots of jumps and an instructor that know what they are doing. I love gymnastics. The first pic shows a lot of potential.
Thanks guys...she is def green over fences. I've had her since Feb 1st and prior to me rescuing her she was a barrell racer and pole bender, with occasional parades. So she's only been jumping for less than 3 months (since when I first got her I had to put weight and muscle on her, which we are still working on fattening her up more) But she has made great progress since starting over fences, she's done bounces and a one stride line, jumped as high as 2'3" and the oxer we did last night was 2'3" with a 2' spread. She is def willing and brave (I've put tarps and tires and other stuff on and under the jumps) I have videos of her jumping progress on another thread on this form. I can't wait until I can start her under saddle over the jumps. But until the baby is born in July, only walk/trot for me!
Pictures above are of other cool pictures I have of her.
She seams to be jumping on her forehand... If you jump her collected and more on her hindend, she may change her jumping form. I jump a horse who is very fit and jumps very much like this horse... and he often is on his forehand. I ride all the time collected, all the way until one stride before the jump. After doing this everytime I ride, he has become better at jumping and comes to the jump with good conformation. Try this, and let me know!
She seams to be jumping on her forehand... If you jump her collected and more on her hindend, she may change her jumping form. I jump a horse who is very fit and jumps very much like this horse... and he often is on his forehand. I ride all the time collected, all the way until one stride before the jump. After doing this everytime I ride, he has become better at jumping and comes to the jump with good conformation. Try this, and let me know!
okay...but I will have to get back to you in a few months...lol. I'm limited to walk/trot until I have my baby in late July. Might have a friend interested in riding her and helping out while I'm on "maturity leave" from any serious riding.
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