How to get my 4yo jumping when hunting (he is fine at home)

[R2R]

Any ideas? I have taken my 4 year old out twice now. Despite the fact he jumps all the hunt jumps near to us at home, and when hacking I will try to jump anything I can, and he has been xc schooling, he simply cannot jump when hunting. I really, really want to solve this but dont know how? Its like his brain blows and he just cant think how to lift his feed off of the ground.

He is wired out hunting but not anything silly...

He is really bold at home and will jump anything I point him out within reason - he is only 4 so we dont do anything outrageous!

I have got another horse who I have been hunting on so far this season when I can, but really want to get the baby going...please help

 

[BigRed]

He's only 4 and you have only tried twice. I would be a bit more patient, give him some more time to relax before you get worried about it.

 

[R2R]

So do I keep going or leave until next year?

 

[Baggybreeches]

How about keep taking him out and forgetting about the jumping for now. When he relaxes a bit more (and the ground has dried out) then try again. Just be patient and see what works for him.

 

[Starbucks]

Agree with FA.

An old horse my dad used to have that I ended up with was totally useless when he first started but ended up absolutely fab! So there is still hope!

 

[cptrayes]

Keep taking him out. Mine was the same. On a farm ride on his own he jumped everything in sight. On his first hunt he took us straight through a wire fence (well, he brought us both down in it!!) and bolted three times. On the second and third he would jump nothing. On the fourth he picked off a few small bits of timber by going in backwards! On the fifth he jumped all the timber in sight and then a smallish hedge. On the sixth all I had to do was sit there and he jumped everything the master jumped, including hedge after hedge. That was last time out and now I just can't wait to go again!!

He'll get the idea eventually, but wait for him to tell you that he's ready to jump in company. You'll know when he starts to show an interest in the fences.

Have fun!

 

[R2R]

Oh I feel much better now. Phew in fact!!! I went out with a new hunt last week as they have a permanent non jumping master to take you round, so I might take him there from now on, even though its a bit further.

Lots and lots of green tape in tail and hope for the best I think!

 

[fatpony]

I agree - take him out a few times and dont even think about jumping. Also if you can hack out in the area the hunt is going and jump some accessible hunt fences before the big day or wait till they hunt closer to home so he at least knows the terrain and the jumps.

 

[SpruceRI]

Oh I feel much better now. Phew in fact!!! I went out with a new hunt last week as they have a permanent non jumping master to take you round, so I might take him there from now on, even though its a bit further.

Lots and lots of green tape in tail and hope for the best I think!

Hi

Could you let me know which hunt this is, as I'd like to take my 4yr old out in the Spring but she probably won't be upto the jumping either - thanks