Any tips on first time jumping a 'big jumper'??

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ChestnutConvert

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Question is as above really. I have decided to try some some jumps with the horse i have been riding but have been warned that he jumps big, i.e ifa jump is 2' he will jump about 4'. This might be a slight exaggeration but does anyone have any tips?
Should i try him over a few from the ground first so i can see?
Any advice for when in the saddle as it has been quite a while since i jumped!
 
I'd put a pole a stride out so it gives him something to look at, so hops that and then he's where you want him to jump the jump hopefully not too big ! You could do it from a trot then when he jumps the pole on the floor he goes into canter but is slow and not rushing and hurling himself over, hope you get what I mean, its hard to explain !
 
Definately try with a ground pole - and keep him at a trot, as long as you keep calm and relax on him i'm sure you will go with him perfectly. Dont let him rush at it try coming in off a circle? with enough space that is! (have you seen him jump? on the lunge? i know that they can "fly" over them that way but seeing how he moves might help you?
Hope you have fun - dont forget your hat and back protector x :)
 
Nice long reins and the hailing a cab worked for me... :p

Oh and put the kids away, they'd learnt every swearword possible within 2 seconds of watching me jump him!!! :D
 
My horse jumps HUUUUUGE! My trainer started me with canter poles into the jump so I could feel a stride and had a better idea of where he was going to take off. We started with three, then went down to two, then one, then none - just a ground pole. Helped to concentrate his mind too.
The first couple of times took me by surprise but then I got used to it.
 
I'd start quite small and pop a neck strap on, just tucking a finger under the neck strap seems to help stop you getting left behind. Must be psychological but it really helps.

I also round my back slightly the first couple of jumps till she settles, not enough to throw balance of horse off or tip her onto forehand so she stops but my mare jumps huge and really stands back and I just find this helps me not get left behind. She is really genuine though and goes even if I do get a little far forward so be careful as if you are forward and he stops you may keep going over his head!

Interestingly my sisters mare puts a shuffle in and if you exaggeratedly straighten your shoulders, she doesn't do it.
 
Some great tips here thanks, i was thinking about lunging him over at least to get some energy and excitability out first as he hasn't seen a jump for a while either.
Will try all your advice though... off to buy a body pro too.....wish me luck!
 
Definitely do some jumping on the lunge or loose first, then some pole work then build up to a small jump. I vouch for the neck strap, when i hadn't jumped daft ginger arab for a while it saved him a sock in the gob for the first couple of jumps before i got into it and went with him. I used to be so scared of jumping but a nappy, giddy arab who jumped everything twice the size he should just made my confidence soar. Think i will fall off when i jump a normal horse now he is gone. Hope you love it, it's great fun! Good luck! Oh, and making a sort of spread seemed to help him bascule more and take some height out of it but might not be the same for everyone.

(gratuitous photo demonstrating neck strap usefulness!)
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Be ready. Mine sometimes decides to take a stride out and when I first started riding him, I used to get left behind and ended up hanging round his neck a few times! :rolleyes: As soon as you feel him take off, fold forwards and go with him and remember to give him his head! :)
 
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