Confidence when jumping

Bettyboo222

Bettyboo222

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Can some of you help? I would love to jump in shows ect but I have no confidence when jumping. I had full intention to jump last night but couldn't do it. I can't even jump 1ft comfortably, I am currently just doing 3 tyres and I panic during the approach.

I have put this down to breaking my ribs last year when I was jumping 1ft 3 and the fact that I wasn't taught to jump by my regular instructor who I trust.
 
I think one of the most important things here is to work on your confidence. Work with an instructor who will be patient with you and not push you until you are ready.

Start with poles first i think. work up to cavaleti(sp) so that you build confidence over poles. Makes sure your happy to trot and canter over poles, that you are in full control of the horse as well.

When you are happy with this, its all about building up confidence over something higher. If you have private lessons, then the instructor will be able to help you more than in a group lesson where some people find in more nerve wrecking. Even if you trot over small jumps, you dont always need to canter to a jump. Keep it slow and steady.

Also make sure your position is solid. The better you feel in your riding ability, the safer you will feel. So make sure you are balanced on the horse, that you dont get left behind over the jump, or pole if your just cantering over a pole. Have a neckstrap to hold onto as well in case you loose your balance.
But like ive said, just take it easy and build up gradually. Dont put too much pressure on yourself, try to enjoy it, not feel that you have to do it. If it scares you that much, work on things you enjoy with your horse.
 
Ps, have you ever heard of horse agility? Its a great way to have fun with our horse, but you dont actually have to ride. There are a few places i think that do it in the UK. Perhaps by doing some jumping on the ground with your horse might give you the confidence in him so that you can trust him to look after you.
 
I school with a jump just higher than my comfort zone up in the school so it becomes normal. My smaller fences then look little when I come to jump. I also find having a friend of similar ability but a little more confidence to jump with helps. I don't know where ur based but a riding instructor u are compatible with is a massive help. Mine knows my confidence crisis is a new thing and how far he can push me. He stands no nonsense from me but if I really bottle it he'll start me back in my comfort zone and try again. Try a few till u find right one if u can afford to. Also I have a saddle I feel very safe on which is helping. Can u trust ur horse to get u over safely? If not is there a reliable alternative u can borrow to build confidence then go and share new confidence with ur horse? Sorry long just I sympathise and really want to help. The light at end of tunnel is visible for me, long way to go yet but feels great and i'd like to help. Have a talk with urself and trust ur horse. He loves u and is unlikely to hurt u
 
get an instructor or friend you trust to come and help you. Put your stirups up a few holes so you are really secure then have some wings with a pole on the lowest hole. Get your helper to help by giving you loads of exercises around the wings untill you and the horse are working calmly and hapily. Then go through the wings with a lead if it helps untill you are completly happy. When you are comfortable put it up a hole and repeat untill you are jumping properly. When you are more confident get the helper to put the jump up a hole occasionaly with out telling you, the plan being that you wont notice one hole at a time.
 
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