Jumpers / hunters bump

No one knows what truly causes the jumper's bump (common theories, if anyone cares can be found from Kessler 2004, Reigel and Hokola, Dr James Rooney, Dyson and Murray 2002).

However, they all agree that conditioning back, abdominal and haunch muscles correctly, as well as watching a horses weight will minimize chances of developing one.

Although said to be the sign of a good jumper, most agree this is bs :rolleyes: Nancy Loving (dvm) found in her study that they less prevalent at higher levels of jumping (i.e. FEI level I believe). Further to this, studies on horses with them at Newmarket (by Dyson and Murray) found of the horses with them examined many were in pain or reluctant to perform or go 'on the bit'.

It isn't the sign of a good jumper, IMO, rather the sign of one that has been incorrectly worked... I am willing to stand corrected if anyone can find research, but this is coming from what I've read. I certainly wouldn't buy a hose to jump or event on the basis of having one!
 
These are the 2 things that i have read about too. But there doesn't seem to be much written that says it can be just the horses conformation, from what i can see?
 
Over here (in Ireland) a "jumper's bump" refers to a prominant top to the pelvis where it joins the loin and a steep angled croup. Years ago dealers used to tell the less experienced that this indicated a good jumper. Complete nonsense, of course. You see fewer horses with this kind of conformation these days, thankfully.
 
Nancy Loving thinks that the position of the lumbosacral junction can contribute, which is linked to the length of spine and placement of the hip joint, suggesting that a long back and weak loin may be conformational indicators toward later development.

That's the only person I can think of suggesting conformation as a major cause at the moment. It's important to note if you read her work, she says it contributes (along with the incorrect musculature from 'poor' work or conditioning) to the creation of a bump, not it being something a horse is born with.

Some people confuse a hunters bump with just having a highly set or steep croup, as seen here
 
No one knows what truly causes the jumper's bump (common theories, if anyone cares can be found from Kessler 2004, Reigel and Hokola, Dr James Rooney, Dyson and Murray 2002).

However, they all agree that conditioning back, abdominal and haunch muscles correctly, as well as watching a horses weight will minimize chances of developing one.

Although said to be the sign of a good jumper, most agree this is bs :rolleyes: Nancy Loving (dvm) found in her study that they less prevalent at higher levels of jumping (i.e. FEI level I believe). Further to this, studies on horses with them at Newmarket (by Dyson and Murray) found of the horses with them examined many were in pain or reluctant to perform or go 'on the bit'.

It isn't the sign of a good jumper, IMO, rather the sign of one that has been incorrectly worked... I am willing to stand corrected if anyone can find research, but this is coming from what I've read. I certainly wouldn't buy a hose to jump or event on the basis of having one!

This is my understanding although the conformation interpretation is commonly used too. I bought a jumper who had some odema on her rump, although this was never mentioned at the vetting. Quickly discovered that the horse was not used to being ridden correctly and also desperately needed her teeth doing. She would tuck her head in beautifully whilst running forward as an evasion to her discomfort.
With physio, dentistry and reschooling she recovered and does not affect her way of going.
 
So, would this be considered a jumpers bump or highly set / steep croup... ?

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/picture.php?albumid=5051&pictureid=18207

If it slopes up gradually, with no 'sharp' edges, and if even on both sides it is more likely to be a steep croup. A true jumpers bump may have a literal bump or lump before or afterwards rather than 'flowing down', and can be far more pronounced on one side than the others. To me, this looks like an issue with croup conformation, but again, I'm happy to be corrected.

These are some examples of a true jumpers bump
images

images

JumpersBump.jpg
 
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I went to see this horse last week and he gave me an absolutely lovely ride - I felt so safe and comfortable on him. He's the only horse from 15 ish that I've tried that I really loved.

Only problem is his conformation isn't brilliant - he's got quite a long back and the jumpers bump/goose rump thing, but he was sooo comfortable and safe and he was lovely and loose in his movements. The other thing that put me off was he was resting his back legs alot (both equally) while he was tied up. What do you think?

dave_guilding_photo1_55593.jpg
 
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