Firehorse
Well-Known Member
i'm not really a jumper, other than a fun few pops in the school or over convenient things out hacking. i tried jumping pony a few months ago and gave up as he was running out. it was my lack of confidence transmitting to him, he's an old hand at jumping, yet sensitive to who's onboard.
anyhow, i think my problem before was i made him trot into the jumps as i was worried about loosing control, him being fizzy and quite strong. when i've lunged him over jumps he doesnt like to approach in trot and runs out. if left to his own devises he canters then jumps fine.
this time, i put up a small cross pole on up-ended blocks, put poles either side to stop him running out, had the jump just off a corner so there wasnt a long approach to it. and i let him canter a few strides, once we were straight and he popped over no problem at all!!! yahooooo! in fact, he positively flew over. i know he's more than capable and knows what he's doing. so i jst told myself to trust him and let him sort himself out. it felt so good and i cant wait to jump again. he does feel as if he takes off too soon, but he did it every time, so i wonder if its just his style of jumping. he probably thought the jump was far too small anyway, as he kept jumping to one side so was actually jumping higher anyway.
more to come tomorrow, might put up a slighter higher one
anyhow, i think my problem before was i made him trot into the jumps as i was worried about loosing control, him being fizzy and quite strong. when i've lunged him over jumps he doesnt like to approach in trot and runs out. if left to his own devises he canters then jumps fine.
this time, i put up a small cross pole on up-ended blocks, put poles either side to stop him running out, had the jump just off a corner so there wasnt a long approach to it. and i let him canter a few strides, once we were straight and he popped over no problem at all!!! yahooooo! in fact, he positively flew over. i know he's more than capable and knows what he's doing. so i jst told myself to trust him and let him sort himself out. it felt so good and i cant wait to jump again. he does feel as if he takes off too soon, but he did it every time, so i wonder if its just his style of jumping. he probably thought the jump was far too small anyway, as he kept jumping to one side so was actually jumping higher anyway.
more to come tomorrow, might put up a slighter higher one
