How can I get Jake to jump a ditch?

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vanessa08

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Now and again Jake just won't jump a ditch! Last time out hunting, he jumped several big ones, and then said no to a little one that had some water in the bottom - the whole field went over it - but Jake still said no. Back home he sloshes through flood water, jumps empty ditches, but when we found a muddy ditch with a bit of water he wouldn't go, wouldn't take a lead, didn't care about the whip, didn't care when the other horse went home. Watching from the ground it looks as if he really can't think what to do - he sees he can't walk through it like other water, but just can't get his head round into thinking he must jump it. This is a willing, talented and lovely horse - his profile is at spaceforhorses.com (Parklands Blackjack) - does anyone have any kind advice? thanks.
 
Use a pressure halter on him on the ground so he understands how to come forwards off it. Then ask him to jump the ditch with the halter and a lunge line on (no whip) and no rider. Once he's done it a couple of times he should have realised what to do so you can get on board and the problem should be solved
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This worked for my boy jumping drops into water and I think it's a technique Richard Maxwell uses for ditches etc.
 
To get Fly to jump a ditch I simply got a couple of friends with good hunting horses that will jump ditches and got them to go first. They went and left us behind. He soon jumped! It's always better if its "their idea". xx
 
Hmmm, the not wanting to be left technique didnt work for us out hunting, we were last of the last and there for 20 mins before beestie decided to climb down the ditch and then jump up out......so dont rely on it 100%!! If it wasnt for some kind gate shutters not leaving us there we would still be on the wrong side of the ditch....
 
How about trying tarpaulin on the floor under small fences in the school? Then without a rail on its own and asking to jump? I think you need to go somewhere where there are a few different types of ditches (small ones) and youa ren't pressured by time. Take a couple of friends to a xc course and practise. He'll get there in the end, you just need to persevere
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Don't have a pressure halter! Will go and get one - I think this sounds a really interesting thing to try - no rider, lunge line, plus pressure halter. Jake is in North Yorkshire too - was thinking of taking him to try the water at Helen Bells - anyway, thank you for your suggestion - we will try it at home first. Will put up a post when he gets over this particular ditch!
 
I agree with you Old Hand! You would expect what you did with Fly to work - following another horse is nearly always a good idea, but the whole point is that Jake doesn't seem to care what other horses do! We had another hunting horse jumping this particular ditch back and forth several times - Jake would follow him at a canter and then still stop, the other horse would come right alongside and jump from a standstill, but Jake still ignored him - even when the other horse went on to the horizon!
 
Encouraging, thank you! You are right, we need to keep trying lots of different things, he is still only 7 and perhaps not experienced enough. Will definitely see if we can take him to Helen Bell's next week - she has lots of water in various forms. He will definitely jump anything with a rail - will try the blue tarpaulin on its own. Very nice to think we will get there in the end!
 
I remember teaching once at pony club a horse that wouldnt go over a ditch! basically i lunged it with rider on and pulled it over from the other side until it jumped it happily, the pressure halter idea seems a good one to.
 
Just need to make sure none of us get hurt doing this! The ditch we have been trying is in a wood - we could very easily all get wound around trees, Jake included - guess we need to find a ditch in the open that he doesn't like. Thanks for the advice.
 
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