Jumping again...

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Dumbo

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11 November 2012
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Nearly 2 years on from my 2 nasty falls jumping, I'm finally feeling ready to pop something small again.
I've never jumped my horse and as far as I know he's done very little jumping in the past 10 years despite once racing over hurdles. Last year a girl at my old yard jumped him (without permission I add -hence the 'old yard') and said he jumped like a stag.
I'm having lessons to work on our flatwork and trotted over ground poles (which he loved!) a couple of times but now what?
Can I just set up a cross pole and go for it? Should he be lunged/free run over small jumps first?
I'm sure he knows what to do and I'm being silly but don't want to knock either of our confidence by being unprepared.
 
As you are a little nervous and on an inexperienced horse it would probably be best to do this as part of a lesson

If you really feel you want to try at home then I would start with trot poles and then add a cross pole 2.7m after the last pole. You could also just use a placing pole and cross pole, this will make sure you take off in the correct place
 
Personally, I would take it step by step. Don't rush anything because like you said, if anything goes wrong it will knock your confidence. Try a small cross pole or cavaletti and lunge him over it. This way, you will gain confidence in yourself and your horse. Then when you decide to ride him, you wont be as nervous. Remember to stay calm, if your nervous, your horse will be too. Keep a positive mind and go for it! Good luck :)
 
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