Advice for horse that over jumps!

[Menolly]

Both myself and my horse are inexperienced jumpers and have spent the last year going to monthly jump and cross country clinics and lessons with my riding club to get both our confidence up going to different venues and jumping different fence types.

He's really willing, has ability and loves to jump but he jumps everything like its 3ft higher than the actual fence,gets speedy and I'm finding it hard to sit nicely and securely.

In our lessons we tend to jump at 80cm, he's confident,controlled and jumps wonderfully but as it's relatively new to us and when I'm out on my own Ive been taking him to some local jumping at 2ft - 2ft3 and this is where the over jumping begins!

Today we went and did a clear round held at my yard and I ended up hitting the deck as I lost my balance after he launched over the jump.
My fall today was total rider error but I wondered if anyone has any advice or tips on how I can keep more secure with the launches and what exercises I can do to help him take off closer and at the height of the fence.

Some people have said that it's because the jumps are too small for him but Is it a case that the more confident he gets the less he will over jump?

Any help gratefully received! X

 

[millitiger]

Vinnie used to overjump a lot (and is still quite extravagant).
I have found it is much worse if we don't have enough impulsion and actually enough speed- the more forward and in front of me he is, the more he jumps across the fence rather than launching upwards.
apart from that it was repetition and practice, jumping lots with a placing pole and just try to stay on and not hinder him!

 

[MegaBeast]

Are your stirrups short enough to allow you to go with him? Use a neck strap? Is he honest? If you're riding defensively then you're more likely to be left behind/out of balance. Ride forwards! You're more likely to go with him. Any pics or videos? Is he jumping off a good forwards stride or getting in close and then going up vertically as lacking impulsion? Could well be bigger jumps would help but wouldn't recommend that unless you're confident, in balance and he's not over jumping as a result of coming in wrong.

 

[TarrSteps]

I would add, does your saddle fit you and is it appropriate for the job?

 

[philamena]

I'd add it's worth checking saddle comfort because sometimes a saddle tree which is too narrow / has points in the "wrong" place can encourage overjumping as a horse which wants to avoid rotating the scapula enough to bascule properly may overjump so it gets clearance but doesn't have to tuck up in front in the same way...

 

[Madali]

Mine over jumped when the fences were not big enough. As I have increased the height she is much better. This is fine if you are confident to jump bigger classes but if you are like me that was the problem.

 

[millitiger]

Oh yes, saddle being right for you is imperative!

I've just switched to an ideal patriot which is really minimalist with hardly any knee roll but suits me really well and instantly helped me stay with him.

Short stirrups can help you stay out of the way but can also help you get fired off if you do get unbalanced- I'm happier with short stirrups but something to bear in mind