Breaking into trot before jumps

C

cheekywelshie

Well-Known Member
Joined
4 January 2008
Messages
771
Visit site
So I am trying to go out again and have a go at jumping comps although a) my nerves always get in the way which means despite all my best efforts any lessons learned from lessons I always revert back to bad habits (holding breath, not using arena, not riding the best lines, )
My horse isn't the most forward in the world and is qutie strong so I do tire easily, however for the most part he always leaves the jumps up! BUt he does break into trot before the fences, some people have said this is how he is but i have ridden round an XC course and managed to canter round that. I think he can do it perhaps it is all in the mind - but I am too busy worrying about forwards, remember the fences in the right order etc... any suggestions?
 
Does he only do it at comps? I wonder if you get a bit nervous and hunch forward slightly, bringing your weight over his shoulder and possibly making it harder for him to maintain the canter? Or perhaps tightening on the rein more than you mean to? Its not comfortable for either of you to jump out of trot so he has to be doing it for a reason. Horses don't deliberately make life difficult for themselves.

Its probably worth ruling out the obvious so - tack, back, teeth. Then really a professional assessment from someone on the ground who can see what is happening?
 
It's generally inexperience or lack of confidence - he can opt for more choice of take off strides from trot. Can you do some grid work with him to allow him to learn how to place himself in front of a jump?
 
Shay said:
Does he only do it at comps? I wonder if you get a bit nervous and hunch forward slightly, bringing your weight over his shoulder and possibly making it harder for him to maintain the canter? Or perhaps tightening on the rein more than you mean to? Its not comfortable for either of you to jump out of trot so he has to be doing it for a reason. Horses don't deliberately make life difficult for themselves.

Its probably worth ruling out the obvious so - tack, back, teeth. Then really a professional assessment from someone on the ground who can see what is happening?
Click to expand...

I agree with this apart from it not being comfortable jumping out of trot, it will be more comfortable for the horse to jump from trot if the rider is not in the correct position/ giving the correct signals or it is not in a decent rhythm in a canter, horses tend to drop back to trot if they feel unsure and for many it is the most comfortable way to get to the other side, that is assuming the jumps are not too big.

For the OP you need to work on getting the canter forward and in front of the leg on the flat and over poles without holding your breath, getting tired and allowing him to become strong, as he is not overly forward I am guessing he is not strong as such but leaning and on his forehand which needs work to correct in order to improve the way he jumps, some jumping exercises will really help, lots of gridwork and bounces, canter poles on a circle and millions of transitions in and out of a pace as well as within, especially in canter, which is often not worked in enough, should all help you both.
 
He does it in lessons too well at the beginning of them - I do exactly what you say - always end up sitting far too forwards and yes probably do end up bringing my weight further forward i am not sure what to do about it - i keep telling myself to look up and try to hold my hands up as otherwise he looks at the jumps
 
Yes I would agree he is able to take off better - but i'm prettty sure it is my riding (or lack of it). I think so much about the must go forwards that everything else goes out the window! I can get him forwards riding in our fields (we have a track with jumps on it, generally he goes OK over them) but I think it must be my position. He is honest and will jump them even if from trot - I think I may flag it up with the instructor.
 
Grid work sounds a good idea, I think that would help (We have no facilities where we are so I will see if there are any clinics nearby)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top