Anyone else who CAN'T jump?

5

[59851]

...
Joined
31 March 2009
Messages
4,869
Visit site
Not those who can but choose not to, but is there anyone else who just can't jump? I find I cannot feel the movement or go with it. I have had lessons but I don't improve it's just me. I think it's because I'm the wrong shape and I'm fat and unbalanced - don't worry I dont ride much these days!
I look at other riders popping over a fence or someone having a good canter, and feel I really should give up as I'm not doing my horse any favours by trying to ride in in such a useless manner.
 
Yes me :) _I've tried(years ago, but it wasn't a pretty sight)

Tbh, this is a complete bug bear of mine - it knocks my confidence on my ability to ride just because I can't jump :rolleyes: My lad is a bit long in the the tooth now to re-learn to jump, so later on in my life I intend to learn to jump via an instructor :)

My biggest regret is not having an instructor when I first got my lad to give us both proper lessons, whereby we learnt to jump properly
 
Oh THANK YOU for posting this.... I thought it was just ME! :o I'm RUBBISH at jumping. I'm a mature rider who took a long break from horses to raise a family - I only came back to things 7 years ago at the age of 42. As a teenager I had an accident where a pony refused a jump and I didn't - went over his head and landed on the jump, winding myself. Wouldn't have been so bad if it hadn't been at a show and they were waiting for me to clear the area so they could re-build the fence for the next competitor... only I couldn't get my breath or move for a few minutes. I guess this has had a bearing on things as coming back to riding I find that jumping just terrifies me and when I DO bravely attempt one it doesn't feel right and I always let out an involuntary half-scream too! :o

I'd love to overcome my fear though.....
 
Yeah - I'm a bit rubbish at jumping and just never feel right, doesnt help that my mare isnt the easiest to jump. I used to, though never felt entirely 'natural'. I keep promising myself to have lessons but babies have got in the way, after this pregnancy perhaps I will try again. My big daughter horse was a nice jumepr but I never got the chance to try her before we lost her. Perhaps if we ever find her a suitable replacement I will give it ago.
 
Me. Can't jump, won't jump..

When I was younger I tried it but I just can't sit up quick enough and I always fall off. It really knocks my confidence. My mare is bred to event.. so I've decided its dressage for us! She will be jumped by the YO's niece to break the monotomy. She is a difficult jump though, fast and strong. It would just knock my confidence.
 
I used to think I couldn't jump but it actually turns out I can (more or less). I just needed a horse I trusted to do it on. I know that stylistically I am ok but I was always a nervous jumper, not helped by the fact I didn't jump much for a long time as was busy riding show ponies and then went to uni. When I got my mare after uni I used to try and jump her as she had BSJA winnings up to fox but she scared me as would launch from three strides out and then pick up and put down again, at which point I would fall off! If I'd have put my leg on I guess I'd have been fine but I never felt comfortable enough on her to do that. BH (my big brown horse in my siggy) though I'll attempt pretty much anything on. I taught him to jump myself and he is an honest little sausage and just comes in his sweet little rhythm. If something is really terrifying he just won't go near it. None of this stopping suddenly so I know where I stand. I have got to the point now where I actually really enjoy jumping and am thinking of affiliating this summer.

So, in short, I bet you CAN jump. You probably just need lots of practise on a genuine school master who will let you find your confidence a bit. It will feel awful to begin with probably, but I bet rising trot was hard the first time you tried that, but it would get better.

And as for giving up, there's no need for that! Even if you don't want to jump your horse isn't going to care! Horses are great like that, they're completely non-judgemental :)
 
I used to be awful!! Just couldn't seem to fold at the right point!! After I was at college and had numerous lessons every week it just suddenly clicked. I'm now an alright jumper. Not the best but don't look awful so just keep practicing!
 
I really wish I had the confidence to jump. I used to do small rounds on my old pony and would jump about 2'6 at home. But since getting my latest horse a couple of years ago after an 11 yr break I find it absolutely petrifies me!! I have pushed myself to do 3'3" and the amount of expletives that came out of my mouth on approach to the jump was unbelievable and less than lady like!! I won't be jumping anymore than a small cross pole again. :(
 
I'm sure it's a confidence thing, I just cannot fold at the right moment and end up either jabbing the horse in the mouth or being to far forwards and falling off the other side. I just cannot sit up and ride to the fence. I'm glad I live in England and just hack as a numpty like me would never be allowed to ride on the continent!
 
Moomin1 said:
I have pushed myself to do 3'3" and the amount of expletives that came out of my mouth on approach to the jump was unbelievable and less than lady like!! I won't be jumping anymore than a small cross pole again. :(
Click to expand...

Swearing is no reason not to jump :eek:

I'm about as vocal as they come but it doesn't stop me :D
 
JFTD said:
Swearing is no reason not to jump :eek:

I'm about as vocal as they come but it doesn't stop me :D
Click to expand...

Lol, I know - I loved your vids!! Jumping just scares the bejesus out of me though nowadays. Wish it didn't because I love watching showjumping and xc!
 
I'm fascinated by this thread - as a trainer, I have had plenty of pupils who said they couldn't jump, or were too scared to and I find the whole process of instilling confidence a real challenge (an enjoyable one, I hasten to add!)

Can I ask, what is scary? Is it the fear of falling off? The fear of looking stupid? The fear of an uncomfortable experience? I'm sure that it varies with each person :)

I would also add, that jumping is one of those things that gets better the more you do, and the better you get at it - it's actually very hard to jump well over smaller fences, as the horse spends so little time in the air, there's no time to fold and very little to "feel". The bigger the fence, the better the "feel" over the fence..... it's ironic that the person who least wants to jump, actually would be better over a bigger jump, as it's much easier to do!

I've taught horses to jump, and people to jump for years (although never a combination of the two :O ) and one of the most satisfying teaching experiences of my life was when a friend of mine, well into her 60s, jumped her 1st clear round - at 2' - 1st course she'd ever jumped in her life, having been riding since a child - she had been too worried about making a mess of it, and other people being "better" than her, she'd never tried.
 
spacefaer said:
I'm fascinated by this thread - as a trainer, I have had plenty of pupils who said they couldn't jump, or were too scared to and I find the whole process of instilling confidence a real challenge (an enjoyable one, I hasten to add!)

Can I ask, what is scary? Is it the fear of falling off? The fear of looking stupid? The fear of an uncomfortable experience? I'm sure that it varies with each person :)

I would also add, that jumping is one of those things that gets better the more you do, and the better you get at it - it's actually very hard to jump well over smaller fences, as the horse spends so little time in the air, there's no time to fold and very little to "feel". The bigger the fence, the better the "feel" over the fence..... it's ironic that the person who least wants to jump, actually would be better over a bigger jump, as it's much easier to do!

I've taught horses to jump, and people to jump for years (although never a combination of the two :O ) and one of the most satisfying teaching experiences of my life was when a friend of mine, well into her 60s, jumped her 1st clear round - at 2' - 1st course she'd ever jumped in her life, having been riding since a child - she had been too worried about making a mess of it, and other people being "better" than her, she'd never tried.
Click to expand...

Since you're a jumping guru, do you fancy looking at the thread entitled "FAO those interested in Fergles"?

I'd appreciate any thoughts you (or anyone else) has on it... (other than the OP and the video post, you would want to skim the rest as a lot of it is irrelevant chitchat if you do look at it :D)...

Now that's cheeky, canvassing another thread on here :o



Moomin, being scared is a valid reason not to jump, I grant you... Didn't like the thought of you not jumping out of fear of not being ladylike :p :D
 
For me, my fear is the horse getting the stride wrong and either taking off too early and leaving me behind... or getting in too deep and having to cat-leap. On the rare occasion I FORCE myself to jump I will only do it from a trot because I can't see the striding to set it up at canter and won't trust the horse to get it right :o

Although I've always thought that if I'm ever in the position of having a horse that CAN, I'd like to have a go a grid work.... bouncing down a line of cavaletti kind of thing..... as long as I can hold onto the front of the saddle :D
 
I love jumping - but it doesn't always love me!!!

I love the feeling of flying through a course, the elation of the take off and soaring over the jumps , sticking the landing and zooming off to the next one.

Ok, I should really add in the bits I left out.

I love the feeling of flying through a course (at a sedate trot), the elation of the take off and soaring over the jumps (the highest I can jump is a barrel on it's side), sticking the landing (and the bucks that follow with it) and zooming off to the next one (before I can bring him back to trot).

:D I luffs jumping :D
 
spacefaer said:
I'm fascinated by this thread - as a trainer, I have had plenty of pupils who said they couldn't jump, or were too scared to and I find the whole process of instilling confidence a real challenge (an enjoyable one, I hasten to add!)

Can I ask, what is scary? Is it the fear of falling off? The fear of looking stupid? The fear of an uncomfortable experience? I'm sure that it varies with each person :)

I would also add, that jumping is one of those things that gets better the more you do, and the better you get at it - it's actually very hard to jump well over smaller fences, as the horse spends so little time in the air, there's no time to fold and very little to "feel". The bigger the fence, the better the "feel" over the fence..... it's ironic that the person who least wants to jump, actually would be better over a bigger jump, as it's much easier to do!

I've taught horses to jump, and people to jump for years (although never a combination of the two :O ) and one of the most satisfying teaching experiences of my life was when a friend of mine, well into her 60s, jumped her 1st clear round - at 2' - 1st course she'd ever jumped in her life, having been riding since a child - she had been too worried about making a mess of it, and other people being "better" than her, she'd never tried.
Click to expand...


The fact that I nearly always fall off, I have no control over the horse at all once a jump is in the equation, I just tip forwards fixate on fence and yank the horse to a standstill, I cannot see the stride for the life of me and have flashes of ending up in a wheelchair after breaking my back.
 
Maisie - where are you? I would have some fab exercises for you.... :) :)

"Seeing a stride" is something loads of people get fixated about - but it is all about the canter, and not about the jump.

If you have a canter you can adjust - slow down and speed up - without losing the horse's balance and rhythm, then you will find the right stride 99.9% of the time - honest!

If you set up 2 poles on the floor 5 canter strides apart and canter through them in your normal canter - slightly out of the saddle to allow the horse to canter naturally - then count how many strides your horse puts in that distance. Course builders set up distances based on an average canter stride of 12'. If you put in more or less strides in that 5 stride distance, it'll tell you whether your horse has a 12' stride naturally.

Play with the canter, shortening and lengthening it, until you can add one stride or take one away between the poles - then you have control of your canter! Make sure the rhythm stays true, and the energy levels stay the same. Don't let them flatten either.

If you know you can canter down the distance in 5 strides, put a small jump instead of the 2nd pole - you KNOW that it's 5 strides, you can count POLE, ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE and then you take off!

If you do this often enough, you will be able to reproduce that canter at any time, without your distance poles, and tadaah you can see a stride!!
 
This must be the problem, I can't maintain the canter. I can't keep the horse going forwards as I'm too unbalanced. I find it hard to keep him together, I can't get any higher than 58% at dressage as we are always on the forehand. Thanks very, very much for taking time to post the excercises as well. I think I will stick to my walk/trot hacks and get a better rider to jump him for now!!
 
I used to love jumping and competed at local level at SJ and XC. Nothing big, around 3ft. I had a horse I completely trusted, I even came second once in a down and out jumping 4ft!
I'm now a nervous wreck. After the trusty horse I got a few young one's who I lost my confidence on as they bronced me off a few times and I got hurt.
The horse I have now is a lovely laid back ex race/hunt horse. I've jumped him a little but I'm nervous and I once came off him when he put a huge jump in over a small fence. Although he puts the occasional big leap in, he's very honest and doesn't rush at the jumps. I now just jump logs when I'm out on hacks but I'd love to do it properly again. My main fear is falling off and hurting myself. I'm in my late 40's and have found that instead of springing back up as I used to, I crumple in a heap and feel the pain! I also don't get paid sick pay if I'm off work so that may also come into the equation!
 
maisie06 said:
This must be the problem, I can't maintain the canter. I can't keep the horse going forwards as I'm too unbalanced. I find it hard to keep him together, I can't get any higher than 58% at dressage as we are always on the forehand. Thanks very, very much for taking time to post the excercises as well. I think I will stick to my walk/trot hacks and get a better rider to jump him for now!!
Click to expand...

When you're on your walk/trot hacks, try trotting out of the saddle, leaning forward slightly in a semi jumping position. This will help your balance hugely - it should help you put your weight down the BACK of your leg, pushing your heels down and making your ankles, knees and hips absorb the bounce of the trot. (it'll also hurt as you stretch your Achilles tendons lol!)

If your heels are down, your lower leg gets more secure and much more effective :) Also make sure you're riding short enough - most people have stirrup leathers that are way too long - that means you can't absorb the horse's movement correctly and get unbalanced, swinging off your knee and losing the security of your lower leg.

If your lower leg is insecure and your stirrups are too long, it's a recipe for falling off as your upper body will tip forward and gravity will take over :(
 
I have always wanted to post about this but felt a bit ummm stupid ! The last mare I had on loan had been there and done it all and as I had come back in to horses after having a break she was great we jumped up to 85cm and did cross country all with ease as she knew exactly what she was doing so I could concentrate on my position.

She sadly had to be PTS, so next I brought my current ex racer who is actually quite good at jumping he takes it all in his stride doesn't rush. I have took him out locally last summer and after a few shows where I just had to let him get used to the showground he really settled and we got on really well. Then I hadn't been out for a while and went for a jumping lesson, when we got there he was up on his toes and just spent the whole hour bucking round the school he was really wound up and all we achieved was jumping a cross pole, I did come off but didn't hurt myself but I just came out feeling crap and stupid and incapable of jumping him. I know he can do it as my sharer does loads of jumping on him and has done XC & ODE.

So I just feel that because I am rubbish I make it really hard work for him and have decided to put jumping off the menu for this year. I also have a bad back and a wedding to plan this year so have decided to go back to the start with the flat work and then all being well progress up to jumping. I used to do eventing & SJ in my younger years and I think the key is to have the right instructor......I am still looking ??
 
Absolutely Horseback Rider - if you have someone on the ground who gives you confidence (and who can have a sit on your horse and show you that he can be civilised and sensible!) then you would come on in leaps and bounds (so to speak!!)

when I was 16 I fell off my horse, landed on my head, broke my nose and got generally mashed. 10 weeks later, new horse, dropped me on my head again, broke my nose (again) and I decided that jumping was not for me.

I could ride into a fence, my brain was telling my legs to kick and I was motionless - totally frozen - I could no more have kicked my horse into an 18" log than I could have jumped off the top of a tall mountain and grown wings and flown :P
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top