introducing jumping to a horse that hasn't jumped in a year

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Nicki85

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I'm going to jump Jess on Sunday as have some friends to help with poles. She has been back in full work for a couple of months now (well schooling 30-45mins 1-2 a week at a low level and hacking twice a week) and she is coming on really nicely, i'm very pleased!

Now i want to start her back up jumping... to give a history... ex hunter 13yo was donig 2ft9 show jump rounds away from home this time last year with no problems. If anything i think she will probably be a bit of a tank. But i'd prefer that to something that doesn't want to jump!

So my thoughts were put some trotting poles on the ground to start, canter over some single poles and end on a some single low (2ft-2ft3) jumps in the small school. Does that sound about right? She has a breast plate on to hang onto and i will up the brakes a bit (hopefully some more schooling will help to) Shes only in a single jointed snaffle at the mo. (which i hate but thats for another post lol)

Any recommendations welcome!
 
I usually start off loose jumping or on the lunge, so they can 'click' before jumping with a rider on. Just for one session, or even riding after lunging.
 
TBH i'm not that good at lunging and would worry about pulling or not going with her... i'm much better at sitting, holding on and going with that way!

We don't have the facilities to free school otherwise that is a damned good idea!
 
I've just introduced jumping to a 20 yr old that's never done it before and is scared of her own shadow
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! If she's jumped before she'll probably get back into the swing of it pretty quickly. Would definitely start with some trotting poles to see how she behaves i.e. does she get over excited or is she quite calm, so you've got an idea of whether you're going to have trouble with her tanking off, but you're idea sounds fine to me, some trot poles, some canter poles then some small jumps, as small as you want really to build both your confidences back up after a break. You can work on striding etc once you're both back into it. I tend to just keep mine ticking over by doing some small grids or courses once or twice a week, building them up as I go along. As long as you don't ask too much of her at first she'll be fine, and she'll tell you if you've done enough or are pushing her too hard, and if that happens just go back a step
 
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