Jumping worries, please help!

[maddie07]

Has anyone got any tips for over-coming jumping fears?

I have had my mare for nearly a year now but have never been very confident when jumping her, which has often led to refusals that knock my confidence even more. I used to really enjoy cross country but have been doing less and less these days as although I know that both me and my horse are more than capable, I find it hard to overcome the nerves.

I know she can jump perfectly fine but my confidence (or lack of it) is getting in the way of this and I don't want her to start stopping on a regular basis because of me.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

[Morrigan_Lady]

Firstly, welcome to the forum and be prepared to be addicted!

Do you have lessons? As that would help with your nerves.

 

[maddie07]

Thanks, you're right I'm already addicted!

I have a friend who sometimes helps, but I can't really afford to have lessons on a regular basis. But then I'm usually too nervous to try jumping on my own as there's no one there to tell me what I'm doing wrong!

 

[Morrigan_Lady]

Just take things slowely. Do lots of pole work and build things up gradually. If you can get an instructor, even for a lesson once a month, that will help.
Do you have anyone that jump your horse for you?
I know when I lost my nerve on Arch, seeing some one else do really well on him helped, coz it made me want to do it.

Where abouts are you?

 

[maddie07]

I think I will ask my friend to jump her for me, that should help.

I'm in Gloucestershire at the moment.

 

[eventersrus]

Quick puff on some magic baccy

Have seen some event riders do this so must be good

 

[Morrigan_Lady]

[ QUOTE ]
Quick puff on some magic baccy

Have seen some event riders do this so must be good

[/ QUOTE ]

Thats what my old trainer used to say to me when I got nervous!

 

[MizElz]

Maddie - is Cricklade too far for you to travel? coz I know an amazing SJ trainer who could help...

 

[Tiffany]

Welcome to the forum. Have you got a friend who is a confident jumper who could ride your horse? Seeing someone else jump her and seeing that she goes well might give you more confidence. The other thing is not to beat yourself up about not jumping, just take things slowly, get help when you can and just start with small jumps in trot. Don't overface yourself !! You'll get there.

 

[Safina]

Ditto all the good advise above but wanted to add that it would be a good idea for your confidence to go back to basics. Start with pole work then build up to dinky grids and slowly but surely you'll feel more comfortable jumping. Focus on athletic exercises rather than height and width to start and you'll get a sense of acheivment regardless of the height of the fence.

My best confidence builder is putting a pole at x and a X-pole at A, ride the 20m circle in canter popping the fence and the pole as many times as you like then change the rein. This helps establish a good rhythum, gets the horse to find his stride and will get you to relax (once you've popped it 5 times you'll realise that you have to breath!).