how to start a middle aged cob jumping

[jensheff26]

hi i have a 14.2 12 yr old cob she has been used to pull a cart for yrs with the odd hack i bought her in july and up to now just hacked her with a bit of schooling she suprisingly work well i have tried trotting poles but she just bounds up to them then stops wont even go over a log in woods she seems to start with great intentions then just stops and turns round as tho to say you want me to do what? she is a star in all ways just wondered if anyone has any ideas

 

[jensheff26]

is she just too heavy to pop the odd jump or will she improve with time and fitness

 

[lindsayH]

Sounds like you've got the right idea with poles. If she really won't be ridden over them,just start by leading or lunging her over them. I always teach them to jump on the lunge before introducing a rider but you should at least be able to get her to walk over trotting poles with some encouragement. Will she follow another horse over them? Getting a couple of lessons together will help but do bear in mind that jumping may never be her thing. Good luck!

 

[jensheff26]

she point blank refuses on the lunge too i even put some in the field for her to get used to them but not done much i did get get her over the poles in hand but she had to be bribed with half a ton of carrotts then she just walked over without a care she has loads of energy to start with even with one pole then just stops she wont follow my others over them at all even my foal jumps trotting poles for fun when he chasing others

 

[lindsayH]

I really do sympathise as my arab was just the same! Now 14, he will jump a round of 2 foot jumps but you have to be brave to try it. I'm afraid the only answer is perseverence. I put poles everywhere, field gate, stable door, field, school and walked him over them every day for months. If she wasn't bothered about them when carrots were involved you may just have to be more forceful as she might just be taking the mick. When lunging, put a line of poles right across the school so there's no way around. Be determined and set aside plenty of time every time you do it.

 

[TheRhubarbTart]

While working at a horse dealer's yard for a number of months I had to teach a number of cobs, young and old, how to jump. The way I found most effective was this:

1. Place a single pole on the ground. Begin by trotting over this in a strong active trot. Do this a few times.

2. When comfortable with one pole, progress to three poles, trotting them with the same rhythmic trot.

3. Once the trotting poles have been mastered, put up a VERY small crosspole. Give the horse plenty of room for approach and get away. In the same active trot, ride into it. Make sure to give the horse loads of encouragement before it, and loads of praise after it.

4. Continue with small cross poles, and make any changes in the size of the fences gradual.

5. After 2-3 weeks, you should be tackling cross poles of about 1.5' or so.

6. Gridwork in small doses, and very simple grids, is also excellent for improving the horse's balance, and getting him thinking for himself over the fences.

I hope this helps you, It's worked well for me in the past. Also, If at any point your horse begins to get clumsy over the fences (and I've found most cobs do), a bit of XC schooling over solid fences can do wonders, though be prepared for that bit green jump they can give! It's caught me out on occassion!

Best of Luck!