Jumping advice

[horses99]

Just asking for some advice jumping my mare, no nasty comments please. She is a bit green but physically very talented with potential. When coming to a fence after warming up and jumping a few she gets strong and excited and shortens her stride bouncing to the fence being so strong she's almost pulling me in. I try to hold her back rather than race into the fence and also not work out a stride but she's strong. Also she can shake her head or lift it high in the air in an attempt to stop me holding her in, this obviously makes for a bad stride she does normally still make it but it will be an awful stride as she is not concentrating. Any ideas for stopping her putting her head in the air and pulling me to the fence so she can't see a stride! P.S she is in a martingale and is otherwise not strong to ride in any other way. TIA

 

[Rider12]

This is going to sound really stupid- but maybe just give her some time? I had a similar issue with my mare and Just letting her get used to it all helped a lot.

 

[Durhamchance]

Grid work can really help with a horse that rushes, placing poles in front of the fence etc.

 

[Shay]

Sometimes they rush because you are holding them and they feel they need to rush to save themselves. That then becomes a vicious circle because you hold them in more because they rush..they rush because you are holding them etc.

Grids and place poles help. Take the fence height right down so you can feel confident to let her find her own way in without feeling the need to rush. If you have the facilities loose jumping is really good - but only if you have a suitable enclosed arena. I've seen some really nasty accidents from people loose jumping in an unsuitable area. Make certain you are not inadvertently driving her into the fence. She rushes so you tense up and push your lower leg forward a bit which brings your weight down on the back of the saddle pushing her forward.

Alternatively she could rush because the saddle catches her as she jumps or as she lands - although my bet would be on the approach. It would be worth getting the saddle checked.

And finally she might rush just because she is excited. In which case just lower the fences so she is safe and practice loads. Don't hold her - sit up and let the fences come to you. Use a neckstrap if you need to and let her work out that jumping works better if she is steady. Work on getting a really good quality canter and letting her figure the rest out for herself.

 

[be positive]

Sometimes they rush because you are holding them and they feel they need to rush to save themselves. That then becomes a vicious circle because you hold them in more because they rush..they rush because you are holding them etc.

Grids and place poles help. Take the fence height right down so you can feel confident to let her find her own way in without feeling the need to rush. If you have the facilities loose jumping is really good - but only if you have a suitable enclosed arena. I've seen some really nasty accidents from people loose jumping in an unsuitable area. Make certain you are not inadvertently driving her into the fence. She rushes so you tense up and push your lower leg forward a bit which brings your weight down on the back of the saddle pushing her forward.

Alternatively she could rush because the saddle catches her as she jumps or as she lands - although my bet would be on the approach. It would be worth getting the saddle checked.

And finally she might rush just because she is excited. In which case just lower the fences so she is safe and practice loads. Don't hold her - sit up and let the fences come to you. Use a neckstrap if you need to and let her work out that jumping works better if she is steady. Work on getting a really good quality canter and letting her figure the rest out for herself.

That saves me typing some of my reply, this is a job for a good instructor who can see what is going on and work with you to help find out why she is this way and help to improve it, there are so many possible reasons and what will work for one could be totally wrong for another so finding the right instructor will be the key to success.