How do you really commit a horse to a jump?

[kit279]

I have two very different horses - the grey one is very bold and never backs off a jump and the chestnut is very suspicious of showjumps and inclined to stop dead in front of them. I'm finding it hard work to get him going over the jumps and feel like I need to really commit to the jump a couple of strides away to stop him backing off and grinding to a halt in front of them. Riding the grey horse is very easy comparatively! Chestnut is however very bold cross country and an unstoppable force out hunting...

What should I do with leg/seat/hands to ask very firmly for him to jump?

I'd rather not use spurs since I'm not used to them, plus he sometimes jumps a bit awkwardly and I'd hate to accidently boot him with them. So far, I feel like I kick quite hard but this unbalances me and then it's not a pretty jump for either of us..

All advice welcome!

 

[scotsmare]

I'd give spurs a go TBH - you'll soon get the hang of them and if you try them at home and they dont' work then no harm done

 

[kerilli]

I think you need to train the chestnut to be really in front of your leg on the flat - giving him a light/medium aid, and if he doesn't respond by going forwards immediately, backing it up with a quick slap with the whip. don't stop him when he goes forward from it, praise him and then bring him back gently. the penny should drop, and then when you ask him to go forward to a fence, he should respond better, hopefully.

 

[kit279]

My chestnut drives me mental - he is in all ways but this a wonderhorse and is a lovely, forward going, forward thinking ride and FWIW I've never had a better horse on the flat. He just doesn't like the look of coloured poles and wings and I'm a bit tired of having to boot him over them. It's almost as if he's never seen them before every time.

 

[Christmas Crumpet]

My old hunter was chestnut and he did exactly the same thing!! He was amazing hunting and wouldn't look twice at anything. Show jumps and he did not mix!! Complete disaster. He was meant to event but obviously didn't get very far due to his complete disdain for the coloured poles!!

 

[Joss]

How old is he? I had a horse that I broke in & started off. He was very suspicious of coloured poles & for ages & ages & ages whenever I jumped him & had to start off with a pole on the ground (like he had never seen one before). I just kept on & on & kept the jumps small & he gradually (very eventually) got the idea. Just like your horse, I never had this issue with XC, he stormed round from day one.

Anyway, this horse turned out to be absolutely fine, really quite a good Pony Club eventer. It just took a long, long time for the penny to drop.

 

[star]

my chestnut is the same! bold as brass XC, great hunter, cant get him over a coloured pole to save his life.

 

[hmccord]

I'd start with trotting over poles and then build up to a small jump with placing pole in front. At the end, throw some poles on the ground (they don't need to be perfectly spaced) and let him pick his way over it with a loose rein. Even if he spooks etc keep doing until he is happy walking over with a loose rein. If he taps them with his feet etc just ignore and don't kick or pick up the reins. The aim is for him to be completly relaxed doing it. This last thing is something that we do with all our horses from 3yr olds to international - it leaves them nice and relaxed when they go back to the stable and they aren't having nightmares about coloured poles!