Teaching my horse to jump-critique?

I think you look great in that picture, I didn't even realize you were bareback at first

Thanks. :) You don't know how good that made me feel. <3

*update* I got a video:


A bit choppy at landing, but I have to say I like the take off

ohk first things first is get him cantering or going at the correct speed alot earlier then a few strides because he ended up throwing in a half stride and im not even sure it was a canter. therefore I didnt like the take off, you need to let him see the jump and help him plan his takeoff point as well as you. he was also on the wrong lead but this isnt that important at this height. your still trying to get up and off his back, this is not the go with bareback jumping! the idea is to sit there and move with the horse. what also concerns me is that your leaning on his neck still now this is not a problem as long as you arnt jumping as when you are jumping you seem to give no release and your horse is suffering he cant get his knees up if your restricting other parts of his body.

now back on the throwing yourself this is meaning as you land your bum has to land aswell which means you land the jump with a thump, I could tell this would be the case just by looking at your other pictures.

all over its not a horrible picture but you really need to work on staying more seated and really giving him a release!

good luck with him and he is looking great for his age!

wow I hardly ever do critiques sorry if it makes no sence and doesnt help hahaha

I forgot to mention this was a few months back. We really have improved. :) But I will try to sit deeper and give him more rein. I thought I was just overall terrible. If I DO decide to throw myself forward-should I try really hard to land softer? Thanks!!!!!!!

oh ok. my bad. you do have a pretty good base of support. I was just wondering because from the pics you posted first it didn't look as though you should really be jumping bareback....

good job though! The last pic looks alot better.

what you can do is stay more forward and that way you dont get the whole land and smack back down on landing, so if you do find your self jumping forward try stay like this till the horse is fullly landed. this doeshelp stop the the land-bum smack haha

I have to question why he does better jumping bareback? sounds like a saddle issue. I think you should work on jumping with a saddle, you can switch off of course. I certainly don't think you are horrible but I agree if you work more on his flat work, being collected, shortening and lenghtening his strides, etc. the jumping should come. You are making good progress considering he is an older cranky horse

First off, I think you guys look great together and your horse looks wonderful, I would never guess he is so old. [:

There are a couple things you need to fix, just like everyone else though. I realize the pictures and video were from a few months ago, but I would be willing to bet that you still have the same position problems. The biggest thing I see is your release. In the video, you look like you're bracing yourself on his withers for balance. I can understand how jumping bareback would induce that. You need to pick your hands up and then give him a good solid crest release. Grab mane, jumping bareback makes it easy to accidentally pull on your horse's mouth and grabbing mane would ensure that he doesn't get a jab in the mouth for obeying you.

You also need to have a much better approach. Trot around the arena, find a nice trot or canter, get into a rhythm and give him a decent approach. Count your strides as you come up to the fence, it will help you begin to see distances easier and will help HIM learn to see them.

Your bum does not need to lift off of him at all when you jump him bareback. Just let him close your angles when he lifts off the ground and give a good release. The way you are jumping now, you are ahead of his center of gravity and making it harder for him to lift his legs and clear the fence. He's a bit older, help him out by staying back.

Your leg looks good, but I would do a lot of no stirrup work WITH A SADDLE to strengthen up your calf and thighs. Posting with a saddle develops a completely different muscle than riding bareback does. You don't have to jump him with a saddle, but you DO need to practice flatwork with it.

Overall, you guys look very good together and your horse is a cutie. Good luck with his jumping!

Good news! I am went to see him today... well.... I tried my seat and without pics know I did pretty bad. But I was releasing and he really stretched out quite a bit. I am going to be working on my seat some more later, and you don't become okay to wonderful in just a half hour. Any seating advice? When I sat back he knocked it over. I guess I should just not move my seat at all and just hang on, maybe lean slightly? Thanks!