Jumping & Position

[ohdearme]

Hi all!

Just come back from a jumping lesson on my new horse, which had its highs and lows! The main thing the instructor was saying was that I'm leaning too far forward - even when I felt like I was really leaning back! How can I improve this?
Another issue is that she keeps refusing when the jump goes above a certain height (around 2 foot 3 or 6) - I feel that this is due to my nervousness, as she is very good at jumping & can do them! However, the more she refuses, the more nervous I get going into the jump! It's just quite difficult, as she's so fast & strong into the jump, then slams on the brakes the stride before it - the instructor told me to keep her calm & steady into the jump, then kick kick kick the stride before. But I find that if I start mad kicking the stride before the jump, my position goes all wrong & I end up falling forward or losing my stirrup etc.

Any tips?

Thanks

 

[Ponycarrots]

I wouldn't worry about your position if your horse might refuse. Get her to jump the fence confidently and approach well and once she's doing that you can start worrying about your position. (As long as you won't fall off!)
My horse is like this; he's very spooky and nervous and he doesn't believe in himself a lot. I have to be confident for him and be very relaxed and positive when jumping anything bigger than 70cm! I've found approaching in trot and then cantering the last 2 strides is great because it means he can't rush, gives him plenty of time to weigh the jump up and less time to refuse.

 

[be positive]

Hi all!

Just come back from a jumping lesson on my new horse, which had its highs and lows! The main thing the instructor was saying was that I'm leaning too far forward - even when I felt like I was really leaning back! How can I improve this?
Another issue is that she keeps refusing when the jump goes above a certain height (around 2 foot 3 or 6) - I feel that this is due to my nervousness, as she is very good at jumping & can do them! However, the more she refuses, the more nervous I get going into the jump! It's just quite difficult, as she's so fast & strong into the jump, then slams on the brakes the stride before it - the instructor told me to keep her calm & steady into the jump, then kick kick kick the stride before. But I find that if I start mad kicking the stride before the jump, my position goes all wrong & I end up falling forward or losing my stirrup etc.

Any tips?

Thanks

If your instructor is telling you to hold her back then kick the stride before no wonder you are having issues not only with her stopping but also your position, I would look for a better instructor who can help you without resorting to madly kicking, going back to basics to build up your confidence, work on position and encourage your horse to jump properly, lots of gridwork would be ideal for this so you develop together and keeping the jumps at a height you can both manage confidently, there is no point in jumping higher if it all goes pear shaped as that just compounds the problems you are having.