How often should you jump a green horse?

[kit279]

I'm struggling a bit with my chestnut who in all other way is a wonderhorse. He's only started showjumping this year and is very spooky and hesitant about the whole thing. He's been jumping a little while now but every time I put up the first cross pole (no matter how small) he just grinds to a halt and doesn't want to jump it at all. He takes a big look and tries to run out and I have to really insist. Eventually he does get rhythym going over the jumps but its like we're back to square one and he's never seen a jump in his life before every time.

How often should I jump him so he gets the idea? He's absolutely fab hunting and cross country and really enjoys himself so I don't think it's the jumping itself that's the problem. He's also not a young horse so I'm not worried about overdoing it and it would just be until he's not so spooky. I was thinking I'd do 15 minutes every day for a week until he gets the idea, should I do more or less? It's a real pain having to gee him up, my other horse understands what he's meant to do and will go clear round 1.10m with no questions asked!

 

[sammiea]

I'd be looking to be using coloured poles (with the wings/block whatever you have either side of the poles) as part of my schooling in this situation and then maybe twice a week raise one to a small fence. Lots of praise when he is good and does as asked and dont rush to make the jumps bigger.