Going backwards- any tips?

[nikCscott]

My gorgeous boy really enjoys life, especially jumping but he gets so excited after popping a fence when you go to come back around he get so excited he 'rocking horse' canters backwards.
We're having a jumping lesson tomorrow over a full course (I'm hoping a full course may give him more to think about), but wondering if any of you have had this? It's his only 'issue' and it's such a shame as I'd love to start taking him out SJ, and he enjoys his jumping so much and if he'd just go forwards he'd be able to do lots more of it.

Thank you

 

[maletto]

All I can think is that you want to try to make jumping less interesting for him.

Do you ever do any pole work?

My boy used to have issues with bucking massively after every jump (no, it wasn't a back or saddle issue! was just excitement!!) until we did a lot of schooling over poles.

We put one at each corner and spent a lot of time cantering over/between them.

It did actually help to calm him down.

Unfortunately this is all I can suggest - I fear if you try to push him on too much, he'll just get wound up even more.

Hope you find a solution!

 

[ngrace]

I had similar problems with the bay in my sig, if you turned towards a fence, it was that canter and then charge! I started lunging him before riding to take the edge off, and found giving him something to think about like a course did help. The more reguarly I jumped him, the calmer he was.
Good luck, keep calm!

 

[nikCscott]

Thank you

I am hoping the course will help and getting out more will hopefully make jumping seem more like 'the norm' thank you x

 

[nikCscott]

I had similar problems with the bay in my sig, if you turned towards a fence, it was that canter and then charge! I started lunging him before riding to take the edge off, and found giving him something to think about like a course did help. The more reguarly I jumped him, the calmer he was.
Good luck, keep calm!

He looks very similar to your bay too.

Wish me luck...

 

[ngrace]

Its just about getting them to think more about what they have to do rather than going AAAAAAHH JUMMPPPP! I found doing the same course a few times was a bad idea, he learned to anticipate on every corner! So try different order of jumps etc..
Good luck!