Help please - Jumping problem.

[BBH]

My horse chooses which way to go, if we do a grid for example and turn left at the end we will then come through the grid again and want to turn right but he will anticipate we should go left and nap really badly when I want to go right. Its like he remembers the way to go and won't listen to where I ask him to go. Does anyone have any suggessions that would help.

 

[Luckylocalian]

Perhaps try setting up poles on the ground and doing circles and figures of eight and turning him away before the pole and doing lots of transitions stop start walk trot canter over the poles so that he is constantly kept guessing - then when you have mastered this make the poles small jumps again keeping him guessing but a height you can jump from bad angle/standstill etc if necessary then go from there?

 

[sfward]

Sounds like he thinks he knows best! In which case, do what he's not expecting, and don't turn either way. Set up a single jump, or a grid if you've got room, and just pull him up in a straight line after the fence. Then turn round and jump it the other way, pull up in a straight line. Do this for a while, and then start cantering him away again after a fence, but intersperse it with pulling him up straight as well, so he doesn't know what to expect and therefore has to rely on you to tell him rather than anticipating!

 

[Kat]

I would say whatever you are doing make sure you vary the way you go everytime, turning left or right and starting and finishing on the same rein or changing the rein through the grid. Go opposite ways through the grid too.

Most importantly do not let him go the way he wants!!! Better to pull him up straight than let him dictate the direction. Even if it is messy or you have to walk it insist he goes your way.

However be fair to him, make up your mind which way you are going at the end before you start and give him fair warning, look round the corner before you jump the last fence, open your inside hand a little and get your legs on for the corner as you jump the last, imagine you want him to turn on landing rather than letting him go straight and then give the aids to turn at the last minute.

Make sure you don't give in to napping on the flat or on the ground either you need to be really consistant with him.

 

[Cop-Pop]

My mare used to be like that until I realised that when I jumped it was somehow making me crooked so even though I thought my body was saying to go one way it wasn't as positive as it should be which was confusing her. Few trips to the back lady and it was all ok again