Do horses with long back struggle to jump??

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Berry and Des

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My horse has a slighty long back but loves jumping! My back lady only explained to me after a year of trying that he's not really built for jumping, when i asked why not, i didn't really get a response other that his back and his head are not right for jumping?? I have picutres of him on my profile and his long back lol. i would upload them but my compter wont let me if anyone has any advise please let me know :)
 
The biggest problem with long backed horses is the 'bridge' across the back (where you sit) can be weaker becuase of the length of it - so it is really important to build a very good topline for your horse which then pulls everything up and making the bridge stronger.

I have to say I have a soft spot for long backed horses (current girl is probably slightly over the top in long back stakes!!!!), find them much comfier to ride and their gait tends to be much smoother, but you do have to make sure that they stay fit and muscled in the right places to prevent any problems.

I guess it depends on the level you want to jump to on whether your horse will have a problem, but wouldn't think for general fun RC type stuff that it should incur much of a problem especially if only slightly long backed! :)
 
enfys said:
I don't think so.

The first horse that came to mind when I read that was Deister. I always thought that he looked long backed (maybe just because of his rangey build) but his record speaks for itself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJ2uK4WT4b4&feature=related
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Perfect example, and the Germans LOVE their long backed horses (for jumping as well as dressage).

If you think about it, none of the TBs that run in the National are exactly compact & bijou either and THEY don't seem to have a problem jumping!

There is a preconception that long horses are "weaker backed" but you just have to make sure that it's always working well from behind to maintain muscle strength over the back (but this comes from using a bit more leg until they're stronger).

I am, however, completely intrigued at back womans comment about your horses head! Is it massive, going to weigh it down, on backwards ......... What a bizarre thing to say!

PS Did you have back lady out cos you were having a problem, or just general maintenance? I would talk to your instructor (if you have one) if there's a particular issue with jumping or put it up here and we can all chip in!
Oh, and I would change back lady to a more sensible one :):):):)
 
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Someone should tell my mare that theory! We called her limosine Lili cause she's a long backed girlie. And can she jump...like a frickin stag. She's at her loan home just now and they've had to build her jurassic park stylee paddocks. grrrr, naughty girl! LOL
 
my horse is 15 1hh with a 6ft 6 back.....so im pretty sure hes classed as long backed. he'll pop around 1.20m courses with ease and flys many hedges bigger than himself bless him!! He's certainly never had a problem :) so long as the muscle build up is correct I don't think many long backed horses would have difficulty x
 
Someone should tell my mare this! She is 15.3hh, and in 6'9'' rugs. She has a fantastic jump and loves it! It is more work to keep her well muscled along her topline, but as long as the work done with her is mindful of letting her work correctly then all is well.
 
No, that's rubbish. The best horse i've ever jumped was the grey in my siggie, who was described as "a freak" by the (very experienced) dealer I bought her from. she had a phenomenal amount of scope, and a long back.
Iirc Murphy Himself was long backed (he was only 16.1 or 16.2 I think, but looked HUGE) and he was an amazing jumper.
There's a certain Irish sj/event sire who frequently throws long backs and whose stock are real jumping machines. I think it was Clover Hill.
There is some truth in the fact that a long back will be weaker though, but if worked correctly and muscled up well, no reason why it shouldn't stay totally right.
 
kerilli said:
No, that's rubbish. The best horse i've ever jumped was the grey in my siggie, who was described as "a freak" by the (very experienced) dealer I bought her from. she had a phenomenal amount of scope, and a long back.
Iirc Murphy Himself was long backed (he was only 16.1 or 16.2 I think, but looked HUGE) and he was an amazing jumper.
There's a certain Irish sj/event sire who frequently throws long backs and whose stock are real jumping machines. I think it was Clover Hill.
There is some truth in the fact that a long back will be weaker though, but if worked correctly and muscled up well, no reason why it shouldn't stay totally right.
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Think Clover Hill does often throw slightly longer backed types. My girl mentioned above is a Clover Hill mare. Connies often appear a little long in the back and they are often jumping machines! To buck the trend though, oh mare is compact and is a smashing jumper. She doesn't have such natural scope but is very powerful and careful.
 
Technically its a fault, though unless your planning on doing 1.60m Olympic rounds I wouldn't worry too much!
Saying that, some horses with awful conformation get to very high levels.
 
One of mine has quite a long back but he's an excellent jumper & he absolutely loves it, I do have to work hard on making him work from behind & giving him muscle in the right places, but that's merely because he's quite lazy sometimes!
 
My little guy def counts as a long backed pony! 13.2hh and in a 5'6-5'9 rug depending on makes and weights. He loves his jumping and easily pops over 1m jumps. He loves his jumping and is a crazy little mentalist and chucks himself at them!
 
A lot of eventers and Sjers like slightly long backed horses as they believe them to have more scope over bigger oxers etc. Obviously within reason! A freakishly long backed horse can be weak, but generally longer backed conformation is fine.

As kerilli said, Clover Hill is one of the most prolific jumping sires from ireland, and he is known for throwing slightly long backed horses with a jumpers bump ;) My mare is a typical Clover hill, and certainly doesnt struggle with scope. :)
 
WOW love the comments guys thanks a bunch! It was a stupid comment about his head made no sense to me at all he has a lovely head and a lovely jump so i'm going to keep on with him i just didn't want to put him through any pain. When i first got him his back was coming out in the weak part nearly every month now he is built up and strong enough it hasnt been out for ages. Once again thankyou everyone you've all boosted my confidence a bit xxx:)
 
I would perhaps consider changing my back lady - unless there is another physical reason why your horse should not be jumping.

I had a long backed mare and my back lady gave me some ground work exercises that really helped strengthen her back as others have mentioned.

PM if you want details.
 
Generally speaking, long backed horses have more scope and reach over wider fences than short coupled, butty types.

They have more reach for high fences (think of a rearing horse and how high its feet would be - higher if it had a longer back than short) and more stretch for wide ones.

All horses need to be working from behind and well muscled regardless of the length of their backs to produce good work and jump well.
 
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