Help me jump!!

[littlen]

Well I decided last year to teach horse to jump. I have not jumped in 3 years since breaking my ankle falling off over a jump, and he has never jumped (proberbly not the best combination, but I trust him and feel safe)

Anyway we started with poles, he has a tendancy to run out but will go over if forced. We then went to small natural jumps which he also manages, he is not stylish at all but gets over most of the time.

Now I am wanting to do a little tiny bit of XC next year and maybe a clear round at a local show if I feel brave since showing failed miserably for us but we are having difficulties now.
He seems to think anything small he can trot over or crash through, but if I put anything bigger up he either crashes straight through it, runs out or leaps over it and unseats me massively, bearing in mind I am still nervous about jumping. I am worried about where to go now and how to teach him some style and to stop running out. I nearly always loose my stirrups too?

Does anyone have any ideas for us to try please, although he dosent lunge so thats out the question?
I have lessons but I like to concentrate on flatwork at the moment as he is still learning.

Thanks!

 

[JessandCharlie]

Is it possible to loose jump him? You can get your instructor to help and it will help him make mistakes and learn from them without unseating you! Other than that I would keep them small and continue to do pole work, raise them at one end alternately and put them on bends etc. would be good. I found that putting my stirrups up a hole or two stopped me loosing them. Tiny grids would be great for both of you too, but keep sessions short so he enjoys them and doesn't get tired.
Hope this helps!

 

[VioletStripe]

Ditto the loose jumping and pole work. Maybe get an instructor to help? Or you could get someone a little bit more confident to jump him, so he gets the idea? Just a few suggestions. Good luck! xx

 

[kirstyl]

I would ask your instructor to use lots of polework in your lessons. Your horse doesn't sound too confident jumping and neither (if you don't mind me saying!) do you! Start off with polework exercises and don't think of progressing onto anything higher until you are 100% happy with how he is working through the poles. It is so easy to have a rubbish schooling session and think sod this, I'll move on to something else. But don't! Once you have the basics well established, they'll be with you always and you can move on. I should discuss your goals with your instructor so she can help you plan how you're going to achieve them. Good luck!