Heavy showjumping poles

Hmmmm well how long have you been showjumping him?

I ask because when i first started jumping Blue, he would demolish on average around 5 or 6 fences out of a 9 fence course. Not just knock a pole down but as you describe, trash the whole lot fillers and all!

This carried on for probably around 6+ months (well a very long time actually...) and after that something seemed to click and now he competes at BN level (though we're concentrating on dressage at the moment), loves his jumping and very rarely will he touch a pole.
 
Ive got 2 full brothers - one cares about poles and the other couldn't give a toss.

I am persisting with the careless one as he can jump 4ft 6" from a trot (without rider), without touching it.

At home he jumps first time ok, but as you continue he'll clear it by less and eventually knock it. Interestingly he'll still knock XC fences, not hard, but enough to have one down SJ!

Not sure if you can make a horse careful with poles, although practise must help reduce the odds of having one down!
 
I think also if he learns to stop putting his head up and messing around it would come together
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Not that i am very wise
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Just a stab in the dark but....

Could it be that the first time to a fence he is a bit more backed off, because it is new, so listens a bit more and drops his head, thus not rushing as he did to some fences in the Vid and rounding more over the fence. By the second time he is more blase, so rushes more, has his head up and flattens over the fence?

I would be keeping the height small but using coats, rugs, bags, water-trays etc to see if it is technique to start with - if it is, then it's just time and schooling over grids I think.
 
Sorry, meant he CAN jump the beautifully when he tries, just other times he couldnt care less. Just want to increase the good times
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I think he is worth perservering with, and nce he stops fighting hopefully he will improve of his own accord


eta: he is amazingly careful XC, I have no worries what so ever then
 
[ QUOTE ]
I think also if he learns to stop putting his head up and messing around it would come together
smile.gif


Not that i am very wise
tongue.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Definatly, that is half the problem, but doesnt help when he does hit them that they are so light he hardly notices, so think heavy wooden poles would make life easier
 
stick with it, i have one very similar, xc machine loves jumping, knows when care is needed, indeed they can get clever/lazy if u have fly away poles, get the heavier ones, but i stick to my early commets, improve technique doing as you plan to grids/bounces, placing poles if hes young. stop him rushing to his fences, go back to trot where he has to use himself not throw himself using speed. i too had some awful sj rounds and tears of frustration and though he's not 100% reliable hes won disco classes and does well BE nov, i just wish he would tuck up a little more and he cld intermediate, its frustrating cos like you say i really trust him xc
 
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