Is show jumping the one for him?

[minnieminster1]

Hello
I have a 13.2 new forest gelding. He has a rather short neck and a long body.
After having him for a couple of months he had a change. He suddenly started bolting back to any horses/ponies around him. This was done with his head between his legs bucking.

He is now coming along but a he isn't really very good at dressage. He has a lovely scope and isn't fazed by much. So I was wanting to get him show jumping as I think that is his thing. As he is only seven he hasn't had much experience so does anyone have any training tips or any ideas that may help?

Thank you all

Minnieminster1

 

[chestnut cob]

Are you having lessons? He is only young and you can't really pigeon hole him into doing just one job for the rest of his life, plus he will need to have a good grounding in dressage to be a good show jumper. Show jumpers need to be flexible, adjustable and well schooled otherwise it will be no fun trying to get around a course. If I've understood correctly you've only had him a couple of months and I wonder if he's just testing you out now which is why he's napping back to the other horses. I would be inclined to get his saddle checked to make sure that fits him, and maybe you could get a physio out to ensure there is no physical reason for the bucking, then I would find a good instructor to give you both flatwork and jumping lessons. If he hasn't had much experience that is probably why "he isn't really very good at dressage" - he probably doesn't understand.

FWIW, there is no reason why a horse with a short neck and long body can't be good at dressage. He might not have the best conformation but you just have to find a good instructor who can help you to train him in the right way. Mine isn't built for dressage - he has a big horse body with a short neck, short legs and a totally out of proportion (massive!) head. When I got him as a rising 6yo, he hated flatwork and was utterly vile about it, trying to bog off around the arena continually. I didn't do much flatwork with him for the first 9 months I had him but since then, I've worked bl00dy hard for a good 18 months or so, lots of lessons and also paying my instructor to school him 1-2x week (which I appreciate isn't an option for everyone), to get him going well on the flat. He has been totally transformed - he has always had 3 correct paces anyway but now he is active, powerful, and he actually really enjoys it because he understands what is being asked, and his training is fair and consistent. So I think lessons are the key

 

[minnieminster1]

Hi thank you. I am having weekly lessons and trying do do flat work as well as jumping. Another one of his problems is cantering on the correct legs. Would you have any suggestions different to circling him every time he goes on the wrong leg.

Thank you so much

Minnieminster