Jumping on grass.....

[jumpthemoon]

What are peoples opinions about jumping on grass during the summer? Our school is quite hard - it needs resurfacing - so I'm thinking of putting some jumps out in the field, but can't do it until the ground has dried up. I'm wondering if the ground will be too hard in the summer for me to jump on the grass? It obviously depends on the weather, but if it's wet I can't use the paddock anyway

What do you think?

 

[lastresort]

I prefer it TBH and have the use of a school but with grass you have that bit more space. You cant say when is best to or not to you have to go by the ground conditions really as our weather is so unpredictable but we tend to use it all times and then you know whether your horse likes it when it hard or not! My mare only like hard going where as my boy jumps whatever. Go for it!

 

[moodymare1987]

I jump on grass at our local show, The working hunter and showjumping is on grass. I think its up to you whether you jump on it, I would just see how the ground is when you plan on jumping, My horse will jump whatever the ground but I avoid it when its too wet.

 

[kerilli]

i put a course up in the paddock in summer. i don't jump if it's hard or very slippery, but otherwise i think it's good for them.
i still do my gridwork in the school though.

 

[KatB]

I wont jump on hard ground at all, be it at an event or at home! But most of the time, except really dry spells through the summer you should be fine

 

[jumpthemoon]

Well hopefully the ground won't be too hard where I am. I really want to get on with some jumping but I daren't jump more than about 2ft in the school as the surface is rubbish. Hopefully it shouldn't be too long before YO will let me put some jumps in the field - I might have to hire somewhere out until then, which is a bit rubbish.

 

[PaddyMonty]

I always jump on grass at home in the summer. It feels different so dont want to shock the horse come the outdoor shows. Plus to me jumping off grass is the real thing

That said I only tend to jump courses so sessions are short. Any intensive jump schooling is done in the school.

 

[cake492]

Hi, we always jump our horses on grass in spring and summer. If the ground is too slippy, or too hard, we use studs. They really help, and as long as you don't ride for too long they are fine for the horse to use. We were advised by a major BSJ competitor to do this two years ago and our horses have been fine. But, as always, it's up to you.