Horse rushing at jumps

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welshpony

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Ever since we bought him, my horse has rushed at jumps at home, and when we are out at lessons or competing if the jumps are 3ft3ish plus. If he is jumped around a 3ft course away from home he is fine, usually clear, sorts his own stride out and is soft in his mouth but if they are put up he starts taking off into the jumps and often has them down. He never seems to back off from jumps at all and we think he is excited and becomes over exuberant when they get bigger but still need to stop it! Wondered if anyone had any schooling exercises or ideas on how to help it - if they got to the end of all that!?
 
There's a really good reply to a rider with a similar problem here

That explains it far better than I could.
tongue.gif
 
it sounds to me as if he's a bit worried about the bigger jumps. i'd stay in his comfort zone for a while, until he's consistent at home and at shows. most horses back off them a bit when they're bigger, rather than rushing.
a canter pole on the landing side, about 3 or 4 yards from the fence depending on its height, is a good way of slowing them down... sometimes they don't see it till they're in midair tho, so sit tight the first time!
halting 10 strides after a (simple upright) jump, turning round, jumping it again the other way, halting 10 strides after, turning round again etc also gets them used to a bit of control. i've seen top riders use this ploy to establish a bit more respect to a fence.
 
Lots of exercises you can do. Mine can be a tad over enthusastic and I've worked loads in the last few months to improve this. He does it with any height though and it is definately enthusiasm. He's much better now. I find the main thing is to keep them thinking. a really twisty course is good for this!

I've been to lots of training with a BSJA accredited trainer and a course designer and here are ones I found really good.

Trotting in to a jump with a canter pole in front so that you have one canter stride before take off. Have a ground pole about 6 strides after and halt in front of it. I've done up to 1.05m like this and it really gives you and your Horse confidence that they can jump height without pace.

Have 2 jumps about 5/6 canter strides apart. Canter into the first jump, then jump the second from trot....this is a tough one!

Set up jumps in a + shape....jump say the left bit, circle left and jump the top bit, circle left and do the right bit and so on, do on both reins.

Gridwork, gridwork and more gridwork!! A good one is trotting poles into a bounce then 2/3 strides to a square parallel.....and make it a decent size.

I have to say though, there is no substitute for training sessions with a good jumping trainer. With your Horse though, the fact he only rushes big jumps does indicate he might be a bit worried. Maybe not though if he jumps that height OK at home. Mine isn't a rusher as such, he just bounds in with enthusiasm and he does back off a bit as they get bigger. The other thing is on the approach remember to keep your shoulders back and your elbows in....play with your fingers on the reins and don't fight him.

Hope that helps.
 
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