Hmmmm.... any jumping advice please

9

{97702}

...
Joined
9 July 2012
Messages
14,849
Visit site
J is very enthusiastic about his jumping, he absolutely loves it. To the point where - for me - he can get very thuggish, whereupon he puts his head down after a fence and tanks off around the arena.

I’ve now had two 4* eventers tell me that I’m letting him pull me forward out of balance, which allows him to get his head down and do this. Which is absolutely true, I do realise that :)

I’m currently trying to find a more forward cut jump saddle to place me better, as my current GP saddle is quite straight cut and my knee tends to come forward over the flaps when I’m jumping with short stirrups. Ultimately I know I MUST improve my position and core strength, and not let him do this to me!

Also J is doing grid work and lots of flatwork exercises to make his canter more controllable and to get him to ‘sit’ more, rather than get flat and long when jumping

In the meantime, would there be any value in changing his bit to give me a bit more influence and some brakes? He is currently in a loose ring double jointed snaffle with a lozenge.

I’m genuinely not asking for a quick fix so I don’t have to change, I know what I need to do and I will be practising and having lessons to help me get there. This would be an interim solution so we can carry on going out having fun :)

ETA - I have got a Jefferies precision bit which I had for a previous horse if that would be any good?
 
Last edited:
My first reaction would be no, if the event riders thought a change of bit was required I think one of them would have suggested it, the problem with upping the bit is that you will not develop the balance and core strength you need because you won't have the need to do so, the bit will being doing the job for you and this may well lead to other problems, a quick fix can so easily become part of the problem.

I would however consider using something different for a one off lesson so the pro can be there to advise but stick with the snaffle for most of the work, and probably if and when you get out to xc school as he does need to be under control so he is not running out, having the correct saddle for you will make a huge difference to how influential you can be on top while you work on the canter, being in the "wrong" position can really hinder the horse and contribute to it being on the forehand.
 
Thanks be positive I had hoped you would reply - I’m trying to book my next lesson at the moment so will take another bit with me to that lesson and see what Marie says. In the meantime I shall practice!
 
Quite often this behaviour is because the horse is actually a wee bit apprehensive, get over the jump quick and get away. It doesn't mean that those horses don't like jumping just that they lack a bit of confidence.

The saddle is not helping you keep in balance and maybe that is throwing him off balance too so I would sort that sooner rather than later.

As you are working with decent instructors I'm sure they will help you with the rest
 
Wheels said:
Quite often this behaviour is because the horse is actually a wee bit apprehensive, get over the jump quick and get away. It doesn't mean that those horses don't like jumping just that they lack a bit of confidence.
Click to expand...

Or over excitement, or rushing to just hurl themselves over. Desensitise him to jumps, back to small ones but with a lot of flat work in between - circles, serpentines (to get him using himself in balance) round jumps, across the front of jumps, towards and then away from (and no, it won't lead to refusing), basically making small jumps part of your flatwork routine. Only when he can deal with those in a calm way do you increase the size of the jumps - in stages.
 
I think to a degree it will solve itself as his balance improves on the flat/over poles and as the canter becomes more established and adjustable rather than being a bit of a one-speed pace :)

can you speak to Marie before next lesson to gauge her opinion?
 
Last edited:
Lol I’m trying to MP :) but she is flat out this week coming and isn’t answering texts at the moment as she is so busy. I definitely agree about his canter, so much better but still not good enough! It’ll be interesting to see what happens at the clear round SJ on Tuesday....!!!
 
I think you'll see the light at the end of the tunnel with his jumping, when you can play with the canter gears on the flat. When you can ride a small, working and lengthened canter on demand on the flat then it will be loads easier to remind him to stay in a nice rhythm when he's having fun with jumpies :D

Are you at Moores on tuesday? Few of the girls on the yard are going :)
 
I agree with above that improving his strength, balance and rideability on the flat will improve that problem a lot. It's a common problem when they're being a bit exuberant over the fences and getting themselves a bit out of shape on landing, then dive onto the rein for balance as they don't have the strength in their canter to sort themselves out.

In the short term, rather than a different bit, a pommel strap to latch one of your hands onto as you sit up after a fence (outside hand preferably if you're turning after the fence, because that also makes it less likely you'll lose the shoulder ;))
 
Following with interest as Amber is exactly the same: she gets flat and fast, runs through the bridle and throws me off balance over-jumping. She really struggles to engage cantering and tends to break to trot if I try to control the pace pf the canter.

I have stuck with my snaffle for schooling but use a hanging cheek gag bit with a happy mouth mouthpiece for XC or competing. She does go very well in it. It just gives me some more control when I most need it, hopefully without me relying on it.

In terms of schooling I do lots of canter pole work using raised poles to make her shorten a little. And lots of walk canter transitions. A new jumping saddle has also really helped me feel more secure so I would highly recommend that.
 
DabDab said:
I agree with above that improving his strength, balance and rideability on the flat will improve that problem a lot. It's a common problem when they're being a bit exuberant over the fences and getting themselves a bit out of shape on landing, then dive onto the rein for balance as they don't have the strength in their canter to sort themselves out.

In the short term, rather than a different bit, a pommel strap to latch one of your hands onto as you sit up after a fence (outside hand preferably if you're turning after the fence, because that also makes it less likely you'll lose the shoulder ;))
Click to expand...

Oooo thats a good idea! I will have to use a bit of baler twine though as I don't have a pommel strap (I always wondered what they were used for........)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top