Help please! Stupid jumping habit I want to stop

[Acolyte]

I have managed to develop a really stupid/annoying habit when jumping - I sit up too early when going over a fence, making my horse (not surprisingly) hollow and uncomfortable. My instructor tells me it is because of the way my last horse jumped (i.e. badly!) whereas my new horse does a lovely bascule over fences in the proper way.

Has anyone any tips on how I can stop this? It is so unconcious that I don't even realise I've done it until the horse shows me I have - even if I think 'keep forward' over the fence, it still seems to happen

Any advice received with interest - I am having weekly lessons, which are helping, but I want to be able to go and have fun jumping the xc fences in the field

 

[Ferdinase514]

Grab some mane half way up and don't let go.

 

[mat]

Good tip! x

 

[Acolyte]

Have visions of ripping half his mane out now

Thanks, will give it a go - he is very good so hopefully should be able to steer too...

 

[Ferdinase514]

Oh I have no brakes or steering LOL! but works for me

 

[dwi]

Go into a forward seat on the approach to the jump so that it isn't just a reflex to fold as the horse lifts but a position that you are consciously in. Then think about staying in that position all the way round after the jump

 

[Safina]

Can you count or say something in your head that will make you fold for longer?

 

[Acolyte]

Ahhh, thank you, that is what my instructor gets me to do - an hour of trotting/cantering around in a forward seat, legs and back are killing me by the end, sometimes I think horse riding is just another form of torture