Jumping a former trotter

[Horses 123]

Hello, just wondering if anyone has any experience jumping former trotters? I have been doing the odd 50cm vertical, I don't want to push my horse too much, but am considering moving up a gear to keep his routine varied. Are there any limitations I should be aware of, for example the impact their unbalanced canters can have on jumping safely? Thanks

 

[webble]

Have a look at the Facebook group standardbreds in the UK lots of people jumping trotters on there

This lady has done some amazing things with Son Of A Preacher Pan

https://www.facebook.com/109817654697098/posts/114138410931689

 

[I'm Dun]

That is a brilliant name!!

 

[dominobrown]

I evented one upto 90 level BE

 

[KEK]

My RI used to jump hers round 1.1m tracks and regularly beat all the WBs. He is 14.3hh

 

[PSD]

My best friend owns one and she is amazing at jumping. Hunting is her specialty, she isn’t quick but she is bold and careful!

 

[paddi22]

I retrain trotters and pacers and without exception they have all been amazing jumpers. They seem to have a load of power behind and are very brave. I find they automatically rebalance themselves and will trot when they need to. But I love jumping them! They all seem really honest, very focused and seem to really enjoy jumping. I ended up keeping one that I event and she absolutely eats up any course.

 

[Mule]

I retrain trotters and pacers and without exception they have all been amazing jumpers. They seem to have a load of power behind and are very brave. I find they automatically rebalance themselves and will trot when they need to. But I love jumping them! They all seem really honest, very focused and seem to really enjoy jumping. I ended up keeping one that I event and she absolutely eats up any course.

I'd like to pick your brain about pacers. Is it possible or advisable to train an animal with part pacer breeding for dressage? Competition wouldn't a major focus. The pony trots but sometimes paces. The current rider isn't very experienced so maybe that doesn't help. Would the animal always be likely to pace under certain situations and do they have difficulties with the canter?

 

[paddi22]

I'd like to pick your brain about pacers. Is it possible or advisable to train an animal with part pacer breeding for dressage? Competition wouldn't a major focus. The pony trots but sometimes paces. The current rider isn't very experienced so maybe that doesn't help. Would the animal always be likely to pace under certain situations and do they have difficulties with the canter?

I find they will automatically default to pacing/trotting if they lose balance. I've never been able to get it out of them but if the pony is kept balanced it shouldn't be an issue. they are difficult to get into canter at the start as they would be discouraged when in a cart. so they tend to have a lot of tension issues with it. I always start by just keeping it fun and easy, just getting them to canter a bit up a hill behind a friend works. I also found they naturally give canter when jumping and doing pole work and it's less stressful for them. But I do tons of canter work up hills and tracks at first. Then they tend to get the opposite issue where canter becomes the most fun thing in the world, so you get a lot of buzzy canter and tension. Being honest I've never gotten one to canter like a normal dressage horse (its always a bit buzzy), but I've never focused on them to that level normally, they usually get re-homed before that. I've one now that I really am focusing on and will keep, and that is what we are working on at the moment, so I'll let you know any tips! But definitely possible to get one having fun and doing low level dressage fairly easily.

 

[Mule]

I find they will automatically default to pacing/trotting if they lose balance. I've never been able to get it out of them but if the pony is kept balanced it shouldn't be an issue. they are difficult to get into canter at the start as they would be discouraged when in a cart. so they tend to have a lot of tension issues with it. I always start by just keeping it fun and easy, just getting them to canter a bit up a hill behind a friend works. I also found they naturally give canter when jumping and doing pole work and it's less stressful for them. But I do tons of canter work up hills and tracks at first. Then they tend to get the opposite issue where canter becomes the most fun thing in the world, so you get a lot of buzzy canter and tension. Being honest I've never gotten one to canter like a normal dressage horse (its always a bit buzzy), but I've never focused on them to that level normally, they usually get re-homed before that. I've one now that I really am focusing on and will keep, and that is what we are working on at the moment, so I'll let you know any tips! But definitely possible to get one having fun and doing low level dressage fairly easily.

Thanks, do keep my posted, I'd be interested in how you get on ?

 

[Horses 123]

Oh wow, that sounds a lot more optimistic than I had thought - I definitely will give some bigger jumps a go with him, and see how he feels about it. It's good to know that they have the ability! I might post a reply sometime to let you know how he has come along. Thanks for the replies

 

[paddi22]

def keep us updated!

 

[Mosh]

Paddi22, could I pm you? My friend has a standardbred and we are having a few issues.

 

[paddi22]

yeah no problem

 

[Gloi]

I'd like to pick your brain about pacers. Is it possible or advisable to train an animal with part pacer breeding for dressage? Competition wouldn't a major focus. The pony trots but sometimes paces. The current rider isn't very experienced so maybe that doesn't help. Would the animal always be likely to pace under certain situations and do they have difficulties with the canter?

It can be done though it will always be more of a challenge than with a 3 gaited horse. There are a couple of people who have done dressage at elementary with Icelandics with pace. I've only done prelim with my current one and novice with my previous one.
Whoever is riding will need to really want to do it to put the work in and to be able to feel what is happening under them and keep the gaits balanced. It depends what the rider is interested in. If they like the training then go for it. If they just want to compete there are easier routes.
Uphill is good for training canter and long grass for trot, lateral work is good to square up a pace.

 

[Mule]

It can be done though it will always be more of a challenge than with a 3 gaited horse. There are a couple of people who have done dressage at elementary with Icelandics with pace. I've only done prelim with my current one and novice with my previous one.
Whoever is riding will need to really want to do it to put the work in and to be able to feel what is happening under them and keep the gaits balanced. It depends what the rider is interested in. If they like the training then go for it. If they just want to compete there are easier routes.
Uphill is good for training canter and long grass for trot, lateral work is good to square up a pace.

Thanks ?

 

[Horses 123]

Hi, thought I'd post an update - I had a feeling he might not be up to very big jumps, which is why I asked on the forum, and unfortunately 50s seem to be his limit - poles were flying today! I don't think its due to ability, but just a dislike of jumping - a bit disappointing, but not a shock. Again thanks for the replies ( :

 

[Gloi]

Hi, thought I'd post an update - I had a feeling he might not be up to very big jumps, which is why I asked on the forum, and unfortunately 50s seem to be his limit - poles were flying today! I don't think its due to ability, but just a dislike of jumping - a bit disappointing, but not a shock. Again thanks for the replies ( :

You might need to take it slowly with low grids etc to help him build up some spring in canter or if the trot is strong work in trot for a while. Take time and keep things low until his balance improves