Jumping

[C.C.T]

At what age do you think it's suitable to start jumping a youngster?? I was thinking five or six as she is a petite breed but others say three or four is fine but I want to make sure her legs can take it and I'm not in a rush to get her jumping anyway, she's four at the moment by the way

 

[jeeve]

If you are talking poles and cavaletti, small x poles as part of your normal ground training, then 4 is okay. If you are talking going out and competing show jumping then probably 5-6 is a better age. It is all a matter of balance, the amount and scope of the work should suit the age and fitness.

Young foals can and do jump of their own accord, logs etc. I had a 6month old foal jump a 5 foot fence, when he thought his mum had left him behind, he did this as opposed to going the long way round through the gate.

We have a 4 year old clydie /TB x and we are doing the odd cavaletti and cross poles, it is occasional not every day or even week, and just a handful of times. To be honest she mostly does not change her stride she trots or canters over them, so not realyy a jump. But it does get her used to the principle of it all.

 

[C.C.T]

If you are talking poles and cavaletti, small x poles as part of your normal ground training, then 4 is okay. If you are talking going out and competing show jumping then probably 5-6 is a better age. It is all a matter of balance, the amount and scope of the work should suit the age and fitness.

Young foals can and do jump of their own accord, logs etc. I had a 6month old foal jump a 5 foot fence, when he thought his mum had left him behind, he did this as opposed to going the long way round through the gate.

We have a 4 year old clydie /TB x and we are doing the odd cavaletti and cross poles, it is occasional not every day or even week, and just a handful of times. To be honest she mostly does not change her stride she trots or canters over them, so not realyy a jump. But it does get her used to the principle of it all.

Ok, thanks! We where planning on doing trotting poles etc with her this Summer

 

[Littlelegs]

Four is fine to start slowly introducing poles, but at just turned 4 few horses have the flatwork to start jumping under saddle, unless broken very early which brings its own problems.