How big would you jump a youngster

[Ponypopster]

I've been jumping my 13.2 pony since march and he really loves it. he is and very lightweight cob and will be 5 in February. What's the biggest you'd jump a pony like this as I don't want to damage his joints

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

Personally for me i would say no bigger than 2ft3/6 but others will vary. Depends how light your cob is on his feet as well and how he is built in general

 

[measles]

The height is, relatively, less of a question than the frequency of jumping and quality of surface you jump on. This is true for all horses and ponies. Ponies will have most of their growing completed by rising 5yo and so I would keep his work varied and fun, and enlist the help of a good instructor to help you set goals and improve.

 

[TarrSteps]

As above. Height is a relatively small part of the equation, so long as it's within the horse's capabilities. I might also add the rider to the variables - weight, ability etc

Well thought out work on good footing over larger jumps is going to be less stressful than jumping small fences endlessly on poor footing in an unbalanced way.

 

[Ponypopster]

Thanks

 

[Pigeon]

I would concentrate on jumping varied things (different types of show jumps, xc jumps etc) at tiny heights for the time being rather than concentrating on size, and as his confidence grows you can ask a bit more Our horse has matured and grown a lot in the last year, and he is rising six, so yours probably will change a little still.

 

[Ponypopster]

Thanks yeah I've been trying to do that I've done xc training and I'm always changing jumps putting things under on jumps etc

 

[Billy the kid]

I would concentrate on jumping varied things (different types of show jumps, xc jumps etc) at tiny heights for the time being rather than concentrating on size, and as his confidence grows you can ask a bit more Our horse has matured and grown a lot in the last year, and he is rising six, so yours probably will change a little still.

I Agree with this, the more he see's as a youngster the less worried he will be about new things when he is mature enough to be pushed on. IMO The actual height doesnt really matter, if he is confident he will take on what ever you ask him in time (with in his physical/ mental ability of course).

Good Luck.

 

[Ponypopster]

Awesome he is basically bomb proof when I did xc he wasn't too keen on the water but once he'd done it once he began to enjoy it otherwise wise he seems to jump anything and everything he'd rather knock a pole down then refuse