Jumping in a Market Harborough

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moneypit1

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I have been having problems with my mare throwing her head so high on the last few strides to a fence she sometimes doesn't see the fence and jumps it huge and flat. Someone suggested using a MH on her when jumping. I ride her in an outline on the approach but she will unbalance herself by flinging her head skywards! Experiences, opinions please.... thankies x
 
Well I wouldn't. Think how horse uses head and neck to balance. Better to use placing poles and start over to improve relaxed approach. This is not just a head and neck problem.
 
i wouldn't use one jumping.

you would actually be better off in draw reins as at least if there is an issue you can release the rein- you don't have that option in a MH.

does she not get better down a grid with ground poles etc and no contact?
 
Did you read the Xcountry training series by Lucinda Green in H&H last year? The horse has to lift its head to see the jump (something to do with how their eyes are placed). If the head lift is exaggerated might be worthwhile lowing the jumps and improving technique?
 
Azmar said:
Well I wouldn't. Think how horse uses head and neck to balance. Better to use placing poles and start over to improve relaxed approach. This is not just a head and neck problem.
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Totally agree with this. You could end up causing more problems by forcing the horses head down. I am not saying you are doing this :) but it is too easy to fall onto gadgets when something isn't going right. This just exacerbates the problem.

I agree with the others on grids etc. Get an instructor in who is experienced in jumping who may be able to get to the root of the problem and give you some exercises to work on. Good idea to lower the jumps, do grids and improve the technique.

Good luck :)
 
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Thanks for the replies, something to look into I think. I ask because I was sj yesterday and went in the ring directly after Lucy Weigersma (sp) and she was using one on one of her horses, this is how the question arose really as I hadn't come across this use of one before. Thanks again.
 
As said before, provided it is fitted correctly and you can give with your hands there is no problem with jumping in one.

The name gives a clue as to what conditions they were invented for!
 
TBH, as long as she is not knocking the fences down, and her throwing her head up is her only 'vice' in her technique, I would leave it as is - most horses will not jump out of an outline, and will put their heads up before the fence. Many showjumpers don't bother with the outline on an approach, as thats not really the important but - the right canter and the horse seeing the fence is more important. :)
 
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