Making a shape over a fence ...

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pnap

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Just been looking at some photo's of Jack doing some small fences (I'm not the one in the saddle by the way) and he doesn't really look like he makes much shape over them. Is this just because the fences are so small or are some horses just better at making a nice round shape? Apologies if I come across as a bit of a t1t but I just thought he looked pretty crappy to be honest.

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn234/jacksmyboy_2008/Jack1.jpg

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn234/jacksmyboy_2008/Jack2.jpg

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn234/jacksmyboy_2008/Jack3.jpg
 
Erm, i would ahve to say the fences are rather small! My horse won't make a shape over a little fence like that cos he doesn't over jump and at the height you show I think your horse could step over them. If you're not brave enough to jump him higher maybe free school him over bigger fences so he has to make more of an effort then you'll get a chance to see his natural jump. Mine only makes as much effort as necessary to clear a fence. I say he's just very good at conserving energy and judging fence height but you could just say he's idle! Saying that though we very rarely ever touch one.
 
I did think that maybe it's just cause they're so small. To be fair he is the type to just give everything the minimum of effort so if it doesn't take him to have all 4 feet off the ground at once then he'll not. My confidence is probably two or three holes higher than they stand at the moment - still only about 75cms or thereabouts.
 
it's probably because they are very small, but some horses will jump anything height (literally!) and not make a good shape and others will make a perfect shape over 1ft.
My 14.2 would jump 1m30 just skimming it each time with hardly any shape but my new horse makes an unbelievable shape over everything. heres a photo of him jumping 2 poles on the ground and a water tray: photo of danny and he'd so that over anything he jumps!
 
It's unlikely he will start making a nice shape over a fence until he has to actually use himself properly. The fence in the picture is very small for him. If you measure from the ground to his belly & he's 17h+ you will find that it's probably 2'09"-3'00". He will step over jumps up to that kind of height because he doesn't need to try. When he goes over that height he will actually have to jump & that is when you will see a shape from him. Good Luck
smile.gif
 
Wow - now that's a shape and a half. Funny how similar our two are in looks Jack has a combined star/stripe and one white sock on the same leg too. He's lovely. Don't know if I could sit a jump like that any more though!
grin.gif
 
i cant really sit on his jump! thats my mum in the photo! we bought him for potential and for me in about another 6months. of course i jump him often but he nearly jumps me off the whole time - im learning stickabillity thats for sure!
 
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