I don't have any control when jumping...

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FunkyFilly28

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Hi, I was just wondering if anyone could give me some advice or tips as to how to regain control when jumping. I've had my horse on loan for just over a year. He's a 15.3hh thoroughbred who has previously evented up to PN level. He's also sixteen so has 'been there done that'. More and more recently I've been finding that he won't listen to me when we come into a fence, he simply locks on and goes at it at whatever speed he fancies. This is all well and good until he slams the brakes on at the last minute and I come flying off!

He is fine on the flat and totally responsive then but he is so clever and anticipates the jump even before I've turned into it. His back, teeth and saddle have all been checked and he's in a loose ring snaffle, cavesson noseband and martingale to jump. I don't really want to circle away from the fence too much because I'm worried it will increase the stopping issue.

Someone else from my yard rode him and said he was little devil for her so I know it's not just me! She managed to make him trot into the fence at the end but had to really sit up and hold him back. I'm only fifteen and so making him trot around a whole course of fence isn't really possible. I'm signed up for Pony Club Camp this Summer so I really need to get the issue resolved before then or it's going to be a bit of a disaster.

Any tips because I don't feel very safe or happy jumping at the minute!

Thanks.
 
OK, well first thought is 'instructor' because it's very hard without seeing the horse! But if it were me, I'd go back to basics and start with ground poles until he is keeping a calm rhythm over them.

I have reschooled a horse that rushes and we began with lots of canter poles to get his stride regular. I started (still do!) every session with a line of canter poles and then gradually add a small fence, usually in the middle of the canter poles so he and I both notice and have to act if he dashes off after the jump. In time you can build that into a small grid. Then when the pace is more reliable and easier to regulate, try taking some of the canter poles out.

Sure others will have different approaches, but that, and patience! worked for me :)

Also, the slamming the brakes on thing suggests that you aren't riding him forwards -hard to keep your leg on when they rush into their fences but he must let you ride him. I'd also want to do lots of work on the flat to encourage him to allow you to ride within the paces - e.g. short canter, bigger canter and back again with him responding quickly and happily. Then hopefully some of that will transfer over to your jumping.
 
Well as no one else has replied yet, I'll keep going! ;)

Thinking of this horse, I built up to a line of about 5 or 6. As the horse has quite a bit of jumping experience this shouldn't be a problem, but start of with 3 or so and add them gradually. The more you do, the more it will highlight any difference in stride length - if he starts getting longer (faster, flatter) then by the 3rd pole you will notice, the 4th will be clear, the 5th will be obvious.... when you can get him cantering over a whole row of them nicely, then start adding in a fence or 2 (small at first so you know YOU aren't adding to the nervous excitement!)

I also like to do bounces when the horse is listening better as the have to back themselves off a bit. You will need to judge if he is ready or if this is suitable, then sit up and keep your leg on and let him work his feet out. Keep it small to start with until you know what will happen.

If he starts to get wound up, don't be shy of going back a step or 2. Take 10 mins out to re-establish your gears in the canter. And school around fences when possible without jumping them too :)
 
Thanks for taking the time to give me more tips! I'm hoping this will settle him a bit more so he learns to listen to me again. About how far would you put the poles apart?
 
No prob :) Depends on his stride, but I usually put them 3 good (person) strides apart - you may need to have a bit of a play but that's a good start. When you get them at a comfortable distance, you can add fences in place of poles where you like - 2 next together will be a bounce, 2 fences with a pole in the middle will be a short 1 stride and so on - the pole in between should help to 'anchor' him and keep the jump in the canter.
 
Thanks - that's really useful as I never really know how much distance to leave. I think I'll have a play around this weekend and see how he goes.
 
millie gives good advice


Almost the same

http://www.yourhorse.co.uk/GLOBAL/Search-Results/?N=0&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Ntk=site&Ntt=timx$sp$xstockdale
 
I will second the "get an instructor to help" suggestion but, try and get a showjumping instructor as they are used to dealing with these issues. The horse sounds likem it is rushing and, although it may well have loads of experience the fact it is rushing and then occasionally slams on suggest it is lacking confidence. I would look at re-bitting for a start - see what you can beg, steal or borrow as it may be something as simple as just having a bit more control and it fixes the problem. What bit you go for will depend alot on how the horse goes, if he throws his head up or pulls his head down as certain bits have different actions as you are probably aware but again - ask for advice!

Another question I would ask is - does he need a martingale? Alot of horses do not like them and it can make the rushing problem worse. If he does throw his head up then maybe a correctly fitted standing martingale as opposed to a running one may be better as the pressure of a running martingale on the reins and therefore the mouth can cause problems.

I wouldn't go back to trotting into fences I don't think this works and again, a horse that rushes can get more worried by trotting into fences and therefore you don't achieve anything - at the end of the day you want to get him to a canter rhythm that you can maintain throughout a course. When you are jumping think to yourself to get hold of the reins, sit back and keep sitting back (do not let him make you tip forwards) but have your legs on, you may find you are tipping forwards which is why he stops as you have 'dropped' him before the fence and, in reality he's not as bold as he's making out! I think the main thing though is to get a bit that you do feel you have control with, you can do as much flatwork and schooling as you like and have the horse as responsive and polite as is possible but if the 'trigger' for the behaviour or rushing is seeing the fence then the schooling can be 'forgotten' by him!

So, in summary - an instructor, a bit change (or 2) and practice!
 
It is very easy when they are strong to not ride them forwards into it have been very guilty of it with my little boy in the past which has resulted in him slamming on at the last minute (and me falling off...... lots!) and yup he is also older and a pony so a bit diff but thinks he knows what he is doing ;) he is very good at looking (and feels) strong but I find for SJ at least he is better with less bittage, a bit more freedom (so he has nothing to fight/fix against) and legs on so I really ride him forwards into it (I do wear spurs) if many saw us they would think he was strong and forwards and its a bit bizarre I need them.

Grids/lines of poles dont really work with him as he gets increasingly strong and wound up every go through and, a bit frustrated if I dont let him do it how he wants too! To a certain extent over the years we have come to a happy compromise that I will let him sort it most of the time but if I sit back and say listen you have to listen! He is a bit lock on and go but I can if I really want to make him bounce all the way until I say go! He also knows the word 'wait' This has come mostly from collecting the canter teaching him simple changes but works just as well while jumping (the same as if I want him to trot a x pole I will say trot!) its just an extra command that he does listen to so would be useful to teach yours if you can. :)
 
I'd second what milliepops says 100%, my first thought was grids!!!

I wouldn't change the bit.

I would practice shortening and lengthening the canter and keeping an even rythm, do this with and without poles.

I would also say that the stopping is almost certainly a result of not enough leg. It is very difficult to put your leg on a horse that feels to fast but he will loose confidence and stop if you don't. If the fences are knockable and fairly small then keep a hold but get your leg on so you are really pushing him into the bridle. He will probably actually steady up and jump out of a more powerful canter. Lots of rushy horses start to panic if you take your leg off and they rush more when they panic so it becomes a vicious circle.
 
Thanks everyone for your valuable advice! I think I will try out some canter poles and grids theis weekend and focus on keeping my leg on. Hopefully this will help and I'm planning on getting some lessons too. :)
 
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