Horse can't jump

[dreamcometrue]

Yep, my horse can't jump. He willingly approaches poles on the ground or a small jump and then carefully steps over them. Is it that some horses just can't jump? Is there any way to train him to actually take off over it. He is fit and well. He will jump a stream or even a puddle on a hack if we approach in canter.

 

[Gentle_Warrior]

out of interest is he a coby thing ?

 

[Tangaroo]

How old is he?

 

[dreamcometrue]

He is a Haflinger. 14.1hh. 10 years old.

 

[the watcher]

My Highland isn't keen on jumps either, but will pop over things out hunting or on a hack. But then she doesn't have to jump in a school, so it doesn't matter

 

[Gentle_Warrior]

my very large cob is the same, in the school he has no interest what so ever and will either walk over them or cat leap, but out hacking he has a lovely smooth jump and is sooo brave.

 

[zigzag]

If he can walk over them are they actually big enough to jump?

 

[hadfos]

I note that you say poles on the ground or small jumps???how small???how old is he??Is he just clever and has realised he dosnt have to excert himself over them?Have you the confidence to jump bigger?If not have you a friend that will help u?Try putting the jumps up so that he has to make an effort!Let us know how you get on!

 

[dreamcometrue]

Hadfos he is 10. I have tried cross poles and straights etc etc. Heights from ground to 1ft/1ft6. The higher the jump the higher he steps! Sometimes he clonks them with his hind feet. He never refuses but doesn't seem to know how to get himself off the ground. He is quite heavy on the forehand but he should be able to pop a small one. I am a very confident rider and have years of experience and did quite a lot of jumping when I was a teenager.

 

[hadfos]

Sorry !!just read the breeding and i dont think they are bred to jump???Are they carriage etc horses??I reallly think you may struggle to get him to jump,sounds like he is as honest as the day is long but am sure they were bred as excuse the punn(cant think of the word i want to use)towing horses(sleighs etc??)!!!I personally think they are stunning and would love to see a pic of him,but definately not jumpers!!!Please correct me if i am wrong as i have no life experience with this breed!!!xx

 

[rcm_73]

At least he's willing to give it a go..! I have a 6 y.o. IDxTB nappy as hell to jump anything coloured but will jump a ditch fine out hacking...

 

[dreamcometrue]

Yes Hadfos he is ride and drive but he is a great riding horse and I just would like him to do a teensy weensy jump for me!! I know lots of haflingers that will jump, some are amazingly good.

This is him

 

[xspiralx]

If you want him to jump, put up a grid of canter poles with a 2ft6 or so jump at the end, and canter through.

Sorry but very few horses would bother to really jump at 1ft6 - I am sure he is capable, but give him something decent enough sized for him to make the effort!

 

[random_rider]

Well as OP has already said haflingers can jump!! Not big but in my siggie thats one i ride jumping! And all the other ones where i ride (at a haflinger stud

) will all jump to so im not too sure its that reason! Could you start from basics?? and build up again?? xx

 

[MagicMelon]

He should be able to jump. All horses should be able to jump (or they might not survive in the wild for long!) unless there's something pysically wrong with him?!

1'6 isnt very big so he doesn't NEED to put any effort in. Id hike them up to at least 2'3 and see if he jumps it then. One native 4yo pony I backed earlier this year was dreadful to jump at first - he would step over or just walk through it! As soon as I began putting them up to 2'6 he began properly jumping.

 

[hadfos]

He is a stunning looking boy!