How do I get over my fear of jumping?

A

Arizahn

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 May 2011
Messages
4,297
Visit site
I am a nervous rider:oI am that rider who enjoys ambling along at a walk when hacking, taking in the scenery, etc. Maybe some very basic dressage - walk, trot, and (on a very, very good day) a little bit of canter, in the indoor school.

Hippo is however rather keen on this whole jumping malarky. I've stupidly introduced her to coloured poles - she happily jumps 6 inches now at trot. (Please note: I'm not onboard for this part!) But she's carrying herself really well and seems to have the knack for it. And actually stares at where the poles are kept if they aren't laid out when we are doing lunge work.

So I guess since she is able to be ridden (yay!), and wanting to jump, I have two choices: get someone else to jump her, or get over my fear and enjoy her new hobby with her! Preferably before the jumps get too high...

Any advice/tips are welcome:)
 
Take it at a speed you are happy with!

Maybe do normal schooling with a jump up (only has to be 6 inches high to start with!) for the whole time of the session and at the end of that, just hop over the jump before you cool off.

If you feel nervous, have a friend you trust stand with you to encourage you over! Or only do it if you are comfortable, nothing wrong with schooling her and getting her used to having jumps up without having to get wired every time!

Or a line of trot poles with a small cross at the end? Then graduate to a couple of crosses, then a grid, then a slightly higher grid etc :)

I have tried both and both do work :)
I was crippled with nerves and the thing that made the biggest difference for me was wearing a BP, even though I didn't NEED it just by wearing it I felt more confident!
Hope this helps :)
 
Have some lessons on a reliable horse that will look after you. Get the hang of it over low fences.

Then try to jump a few little fences several times a week - I've foound this seems to work for most people - practise makes perfect and builds confidence.

Otherwise don't worry - your horse has no ambitions or idea that she is a competent jumper - you both enjoy your ambles around, just do that and enjoy your horse, don't try to torture yourself.
 
E_Lister said:
Take it at a speed you are happy with!

I was crippled with nerves and the thing that made the biggest difference for me was wearing a BP, even though I didn't NEED it just by wearing it I felt more confident!
Hope this helps :)
Click to expand...

These, and a confidence giving instructor to help so you know if you are doing OK too, when I didn't have my confidence jumping I tried to do it alone (other people around but no teacher), I felt like I was crap and it was scary and I hated it but found myself a great instructor who is now one of my best friends and I went from scary pole work to comfortable jumping 90-100cms (whihc still scares em a bit when I think about it.

The other advice I would give is that if you genuinely don't enjoy it don't do it, horses don't have to jump, or like you suggest get someone else to do it :)

Good luck, take it at your pace and your height and have fun too!
 
Put up one tiny cross pole in the arena on the diagonal when you are schooling and try to forget about it. When you go to change the rein and its in your way look up at the marker at the other side of the arena and pop over it quietly.

I often find if I over think something I start getting 'what if' scenarios in my head. Instead of concentrating on the jump, concentrate on getting your corners correct, your line straight. Basically aim to ride a perfect change of rein across the diagonal, the jump doesn't change anything. Think rhythm, balance and straightness.
 
One friend complete with bashing stick :D and some trotting poles to start with. Then a tiny cross at the end and so on from there :).
 
Lessons are already ongoing; I alternate between Hippo and a school horse. As to her having no ambition re. jumping...I know she's a horse but she defineately perks up at the sight of a coloured pole! Likes the change of pace.

There is another rider at the yard who would be happy to jump her, for some daft reason there's a bit of me that wants to be involved:oCrazy, given my feelings on jumping...

My new instructor is incredible and really knows how to get the best from both horse and rider. I don't think she will let me do anything that I'm not ready for, so I will talk it through with her. Suspect that she will have us walking and trotting over cavaletti for a good bit first though!
 
Charem said:
Put up one tiny cross pole in the arena on the diagonal when you are schooling and try to forget about it. When you go to change the rein and its in your way look up at the marker at the other side of the arena and pop over it quietly.

I often find if I over think something I start getting 'what if' scenarios in my head. Instead of concentrating on the jump, concentrate on getting your corners correct, your line straight. Basically aim to ride a perfect change of rein across the diagonal, the jump doesn't change anything. Think rhythm, balance and straightness.
Click to expand...

Thanks; this is a good idea:)

Dafthoss - Bashing stick...lol!
 
slightly different view...

it may be a 'tongue in cheek' line in your original post, but you imply you aren't that confident/keen on cantering

if that IS the case then i really think you need to concentrate on this 'fear' first

most horses will regularly canter after a jump, even if they are trotted in to it

so you need to be able to confidently deal with this...

...anyway, sounds like you have a good relationship with your instructor, so as you say, discuss with them

they have a huge advantage over the rest of us, in advising you, as they can actually see and assess both horse and rider

best of luck
 
The canter issue is more down to balance: I am working on improving my seat, but have trouble with sharp turns...

I just fancied chatting about it on here with fellow insomniacs prior to sitting down with my instructor:o
 
Although, my last fall, I had ridden out a dreadful spook, brought her back down to walk, only to tip off over her head due to losing one stirrup and tilting out of the saddle! Very embarrassing! Hippo did her level best to avoid trampling me and sort of bunny hopped over me. Got clipped with a hoof - I don't recommend that!
 
insomniacs anon R US...

sorry, but sharp turns - pretty likely...

and you'll need to be in 'light seat'/jump position, which is different from the 'dressage seat' you'll have been practising

IMO you need to hold fire for a while,
otherwise you are running a high risk of a bad experience, which could put you off for life
(and could do the same to your horse, if you're unbalanced you really are likely to 'put her off' - and the last thing either of you want is to be learning to jump together, green horses are not easy to jump)

whereas if you give yourself a couple of months to establish a few more skills,
you may find you then absolutely LOVE IT...

always tricky to strike a balance between stretching yourself and overfacing yourself
but v important to recognise the difference

{which also answers your other question, you need to let your horse learn with an experienced, balanced, confident person on her back - even if only for her first half dozen sessions
- and you need to learn on an experienced and reliable horse - even if only for your first few sessions}
 
I was reckoning that this may be the case...hmmm, maybe aim to be the one doing the jumping by this October...

At least I get to teach her pole work! Was so proud of her first proper jump - you know, when she lifted off properly instead of just trotting over the pole? She popped over and trotted on and I ended up hugging her afterwards:D
 
Arizahn said:
I was reckoning that this may be the case...hmmm, maybe aim to be the one doing the jumping by this October...

At least I get to teach her pole work! Was so proud of her first proper jump - you know, when she lifted off properly instead of just trotting over the pole? She popped over and trotted on and I ended up hugging her afterwards:D
Click to expand...

think that sounds a better plan...

and of course you should be proud of what you've acheived with her so far

she sounds a special girl...
so nurture her
and yourself...

and update us on what your instructor's views are
 
Another insomniac who also has 'the fear'. I started off reasonably confident 30 years ago, however an overprotective father who would barge into the middle of pony club lessons declaring i was not capable of jumping as I was useless and would fall off (thanks for that dad!) and later a paranoid OH (who kindly mentioned he would not be willing to feed me via a straw should I fall and end up quadriplegic :confused:) somewhat diluted my confidence to the point I break out in a sweat at the mere mention of jumping.
Note my capable bred to jump neddy is 18.2hh and still growing and would step over most jumps at a walk. I on the other hand am keen to pop over the occasional pole on the ground but seem to freeze when faced with anything more than 6" off the ground.
Sad considering the 10 year olds at the yard happily charge over 3" jumps without the slightest hesitation. I feel like a complete failure (and short of super glueing myself to the saddle) as much as I'd like to, I can't see myself sailing over any jumps anytime soon. Im keen to conquer my fear (it's a bucket list thing for me to be able to jump over 4') so I'm too very keen to read all the replies re the fear of jumping. Strange considering I've managed (with said bashing stick) to easily tackle 3'5" in my long ago past on the last late neddy.
 
I agree that u need to get over the fear of cantering first and gain a slightly more balanced/independent seat. Ask your instructor about cantering on the lunge b4 introducing poles/jumps as this will help. You will get there and will love jumping but there is no rush.
 
I'm another with 'the fear' u are most definitely not alone!

I had a rotational fall 8 years ago whilst doing xc and this terrified me to the extent where a pole on the floor gave me tears and major shakes.

I'm another with the what-if frame of mind, hate cantering into fences and always give a short approach so Megan can't go fast.

I need to learn to trust her cos she will always get me from one side to the other safely, but sadly that's not enough.

Don't worry, u will get there in the end and your mare sounds a little treasure ;) xx
 
I am the same as you OP - but I went to "Poles for the Petrified" classes run by my riding club. Very basic and simple - but before I knew it (or had chance to think about it really) I was jumping 2 foot plus. I will never be brave enough to do anything much bigger, but I wanted to be able to tackle the odd fallen tree when hacking in the woods. My cob loves to jump and squeals with pleasure when he sees one - doesn't help my nerves though :)
 
I am petrified of jumping - I had fall after fall after fall a couple of years ago and it really knocked my confidence. I came to the conclusion that a) I am truly terrible at this and b) if horses were meant to fly they would have wings. So swiftly decided that I would not be jumping in a hurry ever again.
However... Taking on a loan that LOVES to jump and is an absolute natural. So I want to do some jumping.

I will be starting small, having a lot of support from friends at yard, lessons and probably some sort of sedative for me ;)

I am in a similar position so would like to know how you get on :)

Good luck!!
 
Another four-feet-on-the-ground fan here - for the time being anyway! Would LOVE to be able to jump confidently, the mare I share apparently loved to jump so now I need to bring myself up to her standards! :D

I just remember the time when I was 12 or so, jumped, fell off....hooked by the jodh belt on the jump wing. Oops. :o
 
Honestly guys it CAN be done! I would jump anything around the 2'6 height on my old mare but on current horse (who has a fab jump) I lost all confidence when he threw an unexpected buck after a jump and I landed on my head with concussion!!!! That was when I first got him...
So I didn't jump for nearly 2 years, even though I had lessons and was fine with popping over something in trot as soon as canter was mentioned I just freaked out and couldn't do it. Here are some things I tried to regain my confidence...

Lunged horse over jumps so I could watch his lovely jump and try to prove to myself he was safe.
Cantered over a pole on the ground over and over again - in a forward seat so I could absorb sudden movements. Actually I think this helped my balance a lot - OP this might help you in that case. It also helped me regain my ability to judge strides.
Fitting a grab strap and wearing a BP!!!
Buying a REALLY good pair of riding boots with fantastic grippy soles so I don't lose my stirrups!
Took him to an sj comp with the RC but only trotted around, didn't jump anything so I could have a look. Then braved the practise fence only because everyone egged me on!!!
Realised that when jumping you dont actually need to LOOK at the fence, just glance at it the look past - that way you don't get scared by the height of it. This is a VERY helpful tool in times of fear.
Took him to group lessons with RC so there were people to egg me on again!!!
Spent weeks one summer making my own set of jump wings and painting coloured poles (don't know why this helped but it made me want to jump what I spent so long making??)
Eventually I got to the stage where I 'dare' jump the 2'6 again...

At 33 years old that is probably all I will ever manage to do but at least it's something. I still get the willies about jumping though I just know how to make myself do it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top