Any helpfull tips?

B

BobbyMondeo

Well-Known Member
Joined
5 January 2009
Messages
2,915
Location
Southampton
Visit site
I am REALLY excited!! On sunday i am taking my horse to our first ever showjumping, only 2'3" and 2'6" just to get him into it.
He loves it but i am really worried about the fillers! Im not sure if he is going to jump them, or even if they will be there.

Any tips on how to get him a little desensitised to them before sunday...leaving it late i know but i didnt even think about it till now! Stupid!

Also any tips for show day and the general ettique of the show ground and things?
 
I used pallets that I sawed in half, painted random colours, and put under jumps - hey presto, fillers... Stick empty feed sacks under jumps, flat (weighed down) or propped up and secured.. Use straw bales as fillers under a spread? Mine were jumping folded up tarpaulins as water trays, I think I even used a blue mattress once, and frequenbtly used oil drums on their sides... (I'm sure I used to be a *****!)
Anything strange-shaped or funny colours, that is SAFE, can be stuck under a jump, the point being that the horse should trust you enough that when you say its safe to jump, they don't question you. If you have a play around at home with some wacky ideas, the fillers at the show will be a doddle! Another idea would be to do the clear round class first - they often have fillers at the edges of the jumps, leaving the low pole in the middle, so he can see them then.. Do the 1'9" -2' class too? Build his confidence and yours...

General etiquette - manners really! - be quiet - no shouting!, don't canter past people, don't cut people up in the collecting/warm-up ring, don't put the practice jump up to 4'6" while kiddies are getting ready for their clear round class... Smile, thank the steward who opens the gate/ string for you, have good grace if it all goes t*** up! Remember its supposed to be fun, and its all training for your horse - he's learning whether you are teaching him on purpose or not.
 
I will be doing the clear round first, to get him in the swing of it but usually they dont have fillers in the clear round. And annoyingly the smallest class is 2'3"

I know he can do it! He just has a very high flight reflex bless him! I know i really need to keep calm and it will all be ok.

Will try with feed bags and things thats a really good idea!
 
How's it going with the filler training? Getting excited about sunday yet?? I'm off to a one day event with my driving shetland - some hooning round the Kentish countryside to be done! Luckily (after spending hours desensitizing her to everything) she ain't scared of anything, but will she stand still? Ever? No.
 
To be honest I wouldn't force the issue now, if you try any jumping and have problems the horse will remember.

Just ride positively at the show, and use the time before you start to have a trot around the scariest jump so at least your horse has seen it!

Good luck!
 
Thank you.

I tried with some feed bags really weighed down with stones and things today which went ok. I came off the first time because he span round right infront of it. Then I rode him positively and he got over it, did it again and he went over it again. So jumped a couple more non scary jumps and called it a day!

It has shown me that I CAN do it so its got my confidence up for sunday! Im so excited!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top