Jumping/queuing tips

[eatmoremincepies]

Any good tips for a horse that hates to queue at jumps? He's a big chap and will basically go through or over anything to get to a jump, I have real trouble holding him. Trying to think of ways to work on this at home, but he doesn't do it when following a couple of other horses XC schooling, just when his blood is up!

 

[Devonshire dumpling]

Become Huntsman/woman!!

 

[jess_asterix]

Just stay up front and as long as you let the huntsmen/field master go first your fine!

 

[AdorableAlice]

He would be a dream ride in deepest Leicestershire where the field spreads out to take on the massive hedges. Other than selling him to a thrusting master who would be able to let him run a jump from the front I can't imagine what you could do really.

We had one similar, he was a total gentleman, snaffle mouth, well balanced, decent dressage etc, but out hunting he was like riding a rocket propelled battle ship. We did resort to a big bit and a standing martingale which did anchor him a little and thankfully he didn't kick or rear. By the end of the day you were shaken rather than stirred when you got off him ! On non hunting days he was as quiet as a mouse to ride and could be totally trusted with anybody on him.

I will be interesting to hear other peoples thoughts on what you could do, but I guess your boy just loves his hunting.

 

[Sherston]

The best thing would be to start thinking about this long before you get to the jump then time your arrival so you can slow up and then go without actually stopping. If you can keep the horse moving he shouldn't get too hotted up. This way he may get used to slowing up and eventually stopping to wait.

Other than a loud sorry as you dash to the front and over. Least you won't do this and then stop!

 

[pipsqueek]

My old mare is just like this and I don't think you can really alter how keen they are to jump (at least they do want to jump!!) basically I just try and avoid queueing situations i.e by keeping right behind the field master, although I don't have a lot of choice in this matter , if I do find myself having to queue I try and ride her in a small circle to get her to concentrate on something else, this sometimes helps...
edited to add that I hunt her in a dutch gag in which I have no problem stopping her but when she gets really excitable she jumps up in the air off all her feet! she is as quiet as a mouse at home though

 

[JenHunt]

...out hunting he was like riding a rocket propelled battle ship....

have you been riding Ron?!

The best thing would be to start thinking about this long before you get to the jump then time your arrival so you can slow up and then go without actually stopping. If you can keep the horse moving he shouldn't get too hotted up. This way he may get used to slowing up and eventually stopping to wait.

Other than a loud sorry as you dash to the front and over. Least you won't do this and then stop!

something along the lines of this ^^ I tend to either be right up at the front, or hanging about with the non-jumpers/right at the back of the jumping field. The first lets me get over before the chaos starts, the second lets the chaos end (and give him someone to wait with) before we can get over sensibly.

if you can find someone who'll wait calmly, then stick to them like glue and you'll be fine! Ron can't cope with the thought of being left out or left behind, and if someone's with him who's patient then he settles - for a few moments at least!

if he hasn't got someone to wait with then it's all I can do to stop him queue jumping! He'll also launch himself at the fence, halt to gallop is not an unknown transition!

 

[eatmoremincepies]

I think mine must be Ron's long lost brother! He sounds exactly the same

Thank you for the tips - I'm mostly concerned about upsetting people by queue jumping, or getting too close behind the jumper in front. I try to stay 2 or 3 behind the field master, maybe should just tuck in behind him as pipsqeek says. Slowing up with a jump in sight is not one of our favourite things either!

Hmm perhaps a move to Leicestershire then . .

 

[Miss L Toe]

Discuss this with the field-master, as long as he will jump anything, he can be useful to the master, so gird your loins and "go thruster"

 

[Lollii]

I have one just like this, I couldn't hold him when waiting for a jump, I have now loaned him to the local hunt, he is a masters horse now he just likes being at the front