Jumping an older horse - tips? - sucess stories?

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Haffie

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I got my haflinger late last year and now that its finally drying up outside id like to start jumping on her.

Shes 13yo and has spent most off her life as a hacking pony however she did have a brief spell as a ponyclub pony before i got her (one rider has said that she was always eliminated straight away).
I did a few jumps last year before the ground got too soggy and she either jumped beautifully or she'd just plough through the jump (even if it was haybales), and sometimes she'd swerve out of the jump at the last minute. All of these jumps were 40cm or less.

I'd love to have some tips to make her enjoy jumping more and also how to have her always jumping the jump rather than swerving out or ploughing through them.

Also, id love to hear some success stories if anyone has taken on an older pony or horse that hasnt done much!

.
 
I jump my older mare, she's 17 and had done mainly dressage, very successfully, until she was 10, when she then became a broodmare. Last year I brought her back into work.

I found with her, that anything small & she just takes the p*ss. Up the height or make it more challenging and she really loves it.

I'd recommend some lessons with a good instructor. I found that having lessons to help with control, rhythm, balance and really making her listen to me in all paces really helped me, then we progressed onto different types of jumps & then full courses.

She really enjoys it and lights up over a course. I think it's about 80-90cm we jump. I haven't competed her yet though as she's pretty stressy & I'm not sure how she'll cope. Hopefully this summer we'll get out & about.
 
Lessons, lessons and more lessons :)

Start with poles on the ground and gradually work up to a grid - there is no reason why an older horse cannot learn to jump, its finding out what makes them enjoy it is the skill - but impossible to advise without seeing you both together.

Crack on while its dry :)
 
LJR said:
Lessons, lessons and more lessons :)

Start with poles on the ground and gradually work up to a grid - there is no reason why an older horse cannot learn to jump, its finding out what makes them enjoy it is the skill - but impossible to advise without seeing you both together.

Crack on while its dry :)
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Gosh, in my dreams, id love a lesson every day!! We're mega skint at the mo (had a bunch of vet bills recently). Im currently trying to find a solution re getting lessons asap.
Ill deffo try out the poles, my pony is 140cm, can you advise me on a good distance between poles for walk, trot and canter? Thanks :-)
 
My first pony was 12 when I got her and had only ever been driven. She struggled initially with the concept of jumping over stuff instead of running around, but once she got the idea she was incredible - 3 yrs later she beat all the affiliated ponies to win the PC points cup 3 yrs in a row and was flying over open height crosscountry fences right up until 3months before she became ill at 21. She was a 14hh on tiptoes little cobby pony clearing 4ft high with ease.
13 really isn't old, it used to be considered the prime!
 
dollyanna said:
My first pony was 12 when I got her and had only ever been driven. She struggled initially with the concept of jumping over stuff instead of running around, but once she got the idea she was incredible - 3 yrs later she beat all the affiliated ponies to win the PC points cup 3 yrs in a row and was flying over open height crosscountry fences right up until 3months before she became ill at 21. She was a 14hh on tiptoes little cobby pony clearing 4ft high with ease.
13 really isn't old, it used to be considered the prime!
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Woohoo this is really motivational to read <3 <3. Thank you for sharing it with me x
 
I'd do lots of trotting/canter poles. The 101 jumping exercises book is good. I bought another one that comes in two plastic folders, but I can't think what they are called.

How much jumping experience do you have yourself?
 
bollybop said:
I'd do lots of trotting/canter poles. The 101 jumping exercises book is good. I bought another one that comes in two plastic folders, but I can't think what they are called.

How much jumping experience do you have yourself?
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I did a fair bit as a kid / teen including bareback jumping. Restarted riding again as an adult a year ago... I love jumping, even the tiny jumps ive done since restarting (age 32). Mostly i just do hacking. Am hoping to be able to get lessons again soonish just really looking forward to jumping again :-)
 
Ok well id say that if you haven't jumped for a fair old while, and you can't really afford lessons, stick to the pole work, and have fun building up to the jumping.

I think you will find it much easier if there is an instructor on the floor helping you along.

You could also free Jump your horse if possible to give her more of an idea.
 
bollybop said:
Ok well id say that if you haven't jumped for a fair old while, and you can't really afford lessons, stick to the pole work, and have fun building up to the jumping.

I think you will find it much easier if there is an instructor on the floor helping you along.

You could also free Jump your horse if possible to give her more of an idea.
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Ive been jumping regularly for the last year on a pony (not my own). I was thinking of free jumping her too :-). Ive deffo lots to learn from polework too!
 
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