Jumping Ditches

[yaffsimone1]

On one of our hacking routes there is a dip in the ground, its not a ditch as such, the horses could walk through it if they really wanted to, but for some reason they treat it as ditch!

My horse will not walk through this dip, he will jump it instead, but its not a nice hop over, its a MASSIVE leap and un seats me everytime with his sky bound leap. I'm no showjumper but can hop a pole or fallen tree with no problems.

Though no matter how much i grip with my knees I always leave the saddle, im not falling forwards or sideways, instead he propells me upwards.

Touch wood we have always landed in once piece.

This doesnt scare me i'm just wondering if there are any tips for not leaving the saddle and heading skyward everytime?

 

[HuntingB]

We had a pony that would do this. I just sit deep, wrap my legs round as opposed to grip with my knees, grab a neckstrap and let it get on with it.
If it's only a little in and out, have you tried going diagonally down?

 

[A1fie]

Best tip I can give is don't look down. Every time I looked in a ditch out hunting, I ended up in it! If I looked on ahead I stayed in the saddle.

 

[Shantara]

I second the neck strap I used to be unseated even if it wasn't a huge leap, but now I either grab a handful of mane or the neck strap good luck!

 

[rhino]

Go there a day you have lots of time. Go across the ditch, halt, turn round and go back across it. Repeat until he stops being an eejit!

If you only do it once per hack they can get more and more exited about it; you really want them to be 'bored' about it..

Neckstrap is a good idea, or you could even try doing it in hand first - only if your horse is likely to respect your personal space (and feet ) as most horses will get more confidence being led

 

[LouS]

Grab a neckstrap if you have one, or if not grab some mane. If I'm doing something a bit sticky I tend to put my reins in one hand, put my other hand about 3/4s of the way up their neck and grab some mane, heels down, sit deep and I'm usually alright!

 

[yaffsimone1]

Go there a day you have lots of time. Go across the ditch, halt, turn round and go back across it. Repeat until he stops being an eejit!

If you only do it once per hack they can get more and more exited about it; you really want them to be 'bored' about it..

Neckstrap is a good idea, or you could even try doing it in hand first - only if your horse is likely to respect your personal space (and feet ) as most horses will get more confidence being led

I went over it again today and took more notice of the take off etc. He actually stops, quite some distance away from the edge of the dip, looks at it for a moment then leaps.

He is not in a martingale but i think i will attach a neck strap. Your suggestion about going over and over did cross my mind. With time I know he will and can jump it nicely, at the moment he is just being silly.

 

[grumblebee]

Hello!!

I hate ditches!! They are my bogus jump!! I have no problems with them if trotting or cantering as I find it easier to go with the flow, regardless of how big they jump, but doing it from walk or stop always used to unseat me slightly. Since I do a lot with youngsters however, I couldn't let that happen so what I found helped is a neck strap, a light seat (but still in the saddle) and a slightly forward position (only a fraction!) and a strong leg (but not just knees). I find that this stops me from either being left behind or being propelled out the saddle!!

 

[yaffsimone1]

We had a pony that would do this. I just sit deep, wrap my legs round as opposed to grip with my knees, grab a neckstrap and let it get on with it.
If it's only a little in and out, have you tried going diagonally down?

He will not walk through it, i slow him right down and ask him to walk nicely, which he starts to do then suddenly he leaps.

he doesnt appear to be scared, his ears are pricked and he isnt fighting.

 

[Archangel]

The whole point about jumping ditches is that you don't actually jump, the horse does. This means you remain seated at all times, sit there eyes front, hold neckstrap (but don't lean too forward as you will lose your seat out behind you). Honestly works every time. Stay seated, wait for horse to jump, land immaculately on other side, pat horse, pat self.

 

[xspiralx]

I'd trot him into it. I imagine you're getting unseated because he's jumping from a standstill. Keep him moving forwards and the jump will come more naturally and flow nicely.