I jump my mare 2'6"-2'9" but would like to go higher. She is 14.1 1/5 hh and has no problem at all over that height. I've jumped her once or twice over 3' and again, she didn't have any difficulties with it. How high could she safely go?
Conformation:
Jumping 2'6":
Me and her 2'3" high 3' wide log:
(not me riding in these videos)
No comments on rider please, just the horse's ability/inability to jump higher.
Height of the horse is not a limiting factor in asking how high she can jump. There have been grand prix jumpers that have been little bigger than she is. It is much more a matter of the horse's heart and training.
One thing that will help her is to teach her not to counterbend on her turns. Use your inside leg to push her onto her outside shoulder so that she can bend properly on her turns. You might have to put a little extra weight into your outside stirrup to keep from leaning in yourself, which adds your weight onto the inside shoulder (which you are trying to lighten). This will help her maintain her balance and allow her to keep her impulsion while going into the jumps.
Height of the horse is not a limiting factor in asking how high she can jump. There have been grand prix jumpers that have been little bigger than she is. It is much more a matter of the horse's heart and training.
The rider in the videos isn't me Except for the first one, so the counterbending thing isn't because of me in that case. I know that height isn't completely a limiting factor, but judging on how well she handles that height and her conformation could very well be, right?
I saw nothing with your pony that would limit her. Continue with you training, especially the flat work. The flat is where you build your horse's ability to handle the tighter, higher jumps. See where she goes. She'll let you know when she maxes out.
Oh very true, little horses are sometimes the best jumpers. My mare was 13.2 and could out jump most 16hh + horses. I also rode a mstang mare who was about 14.2 and she could easily clear 4' and higher.
I am in complete agreement with Allison. There's nothing screaming maxed out to me in those videos. Ponies can be a lot more than people tend to think. My favorite pony in the world (who I very, very much wish I had the opportunity to buy... too expensive though) is only 14.2 (MAYBE 14.3) and I've easily cleared 4' with him. It's all in their heart.
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