Advice please - My 4 yo starting to jump - pic

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moneypit1

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Harry is rising 5. I backed him this time last year and he has been brought on very slowly as his brain fries after about 15 mins. He is a Friesian x tb and is a fiesty fellow. He has a leg at each corner and is a thinker. His flat work is progressing nicely and recently I have introduced pole work and tiny jumps. My husband wants me to make the jumps at least 2ft 3 as otherwise he sort of just steps over them not making much of a shape and a bit bored tbh. I on the otherhand do not want to overface him as he has never stopped with me and is as honest as the day. He has got a hell of a pop in him, he cleared the menage gate from a trot (4ft) but I have a hang up about putting the jumps over a foot high! Here is a pic from today. He doesn't even try really at this height. He does not stop at fillers or water and i have jumped him 2ft 6" but do not want to overface him so early on. What do you think?
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My YO is of the same POV as your OH; fences have to be high enough for them to jump them and 2'3" will be no trouble at all. If you're still worried, then put trotting poles down in front of the fence and then build up the height gradually.
 
Oh PapaFrita my OH has just read your reply as i sit here and is full of himself (you know what men are like). So, tomorrow I will put the jumps to at least 2ft 3. I will of course try and get pics. thankies for answering. x
 
I agree. As long as you always listen to what your horse tells you you'll be fine (and you said he's bored ......
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BTW he's totally ggoooorrrrgggeeeooouusss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
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LOL!! Maybe your OH should get on him as well
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I'm sure you'll be fine and the pics will be great
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My OH says that his manly bits prevent him from riding! He is such an expert on the ground though, know what I mean! x
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My homebred will be 5 in June. He was backed at three and turned away and came back into work as a 4 year old, working for a couple of months and then having a month or so off.

We started jumping him last year but kept the jumps small. He is now back in work after the Christmas holiday and is jumping about 2'6" very happily with a rider. We loose schooled him for the first time earlier in the week and he was happily jumping (and making a very good shape) over 3'.
 
Don't worry it will come!! My 12 year old mare (soon to be 13) has a brain that turns to mush a lot at first. I know its a bit different cos she's older, but hers gets better with mileage. But she's had a loooong break and only done a few hacks for the last 6 months so will have some serious work to do this year!! She always goes right back to square one. I think your fella will just get better and better as he gets older, he looks a lovely sort!

When the ground allows, I incorporate gymkhana type games into my schooling to keep them having fun (and me!!) as well as all the usual varying of work. Think handy pony
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I agree the fences have to be high enough to make him try... but its getting the balance right between that and scaring him... i think he would be fine a bit higher
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He is gorgeous
 
Agree 2'3" will be nothing to him - he will actually need to be able to see the fences
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So as long as you can ride confidently to them at that height and not worry about overfacing him (which you definitely wouldn't be) then that's what I would do. Of course if you did have a problem immediately bring them back down but it is not as if you are talking about big fences.

He really looks a lovely sort - hope you have lots of fun with him this year.
 
Challenge him too in terms of variety - so not always higher but different. Water tray underneath, v poles infront, rustic fillers etc etc. That'll give him something to think about!
 
agree with everyone else, he's gorgeous
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just wondering what make is your breastgirth? im trying to look for cheapish one for cross country and have seen your one around.
 
Lovely! He looks fab! Have to agree over the height, my girl is 5 in June, and just doesnt tru over anything smaller than about 2'9. However, I do lots of grids and exercises to help with her strength and technique instead of jumping bigger fences all the time
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She has happily jumped round some meaty courses, so you really aren't over facing him if he is enjoying it! They can easilt jump 3' from walk
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I'm in the same situation... except he was very honest until knocking himself in the woods over a "jump" and when I tried in the school, he stopped
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Wasn't sure what to do, proberly partly me because he is so big (17.2hh) Not sure where to go next with him :/
 
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LOL!! Maybe your OH should get on him as well
grin.gif
I'm sure you'll be fine and the pics will be great
smile.gif


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My OH says that his manly bits prevent him from riding! He is such an expert on the ground though, know what I mean! x
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Ah, yes, understand perfectly
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i would crack on put them up to 2ft 3 and take it slow see how it goes. i would do things like placing poles and v poles, get him working properly. but also don't over jump him keep sessions short and keep him interested.


he is utterly stunning and if you wanna get rid of him by all means post him to me
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