My horse dives at fences. What can i do?

L

lukecampbell

New User
Joined
20 April 2013
Messages
6
Visit site
My horse is 8 year old, he has been competing for years but for a while he has been diving at fences and unless I hold him until the last stride. And even when I do I have to hold him off his jump or else he will flatten over it. he ha a lot of ability but this is holding him back, I need help on trying to fix this problem I have tried "A" poles and tram line and neither seem to be working, can anyone recommend a new bit hes currently in a snaffle so welcome to any options. Baring in mind he is a stallion so if that might make a difference please say. Hes a bit temperamental. looking forward to any replies. ill post a link for a video below.
thanks


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N85eKp2Ev6g
 
Grids, grids and more grids so that he learns to sit better - bounces are the best sort.
Make sure that you are not hustling him into the fence.
Work in trot, stay in a soft jumping position, bum still in saddle but upper body folded forward.
Get a rhythm and keep it.
Cantering poles on approach 2.7 metres means you can trot or canter over.
 
Don't jump every day, change his exercise regime, let him relax and have fun, take a lesson with one of the better instructors. Spent time with him on flatwork. 101 exercises for jumping has many ideas, 25 of the exercises are on the flat.
Not sure why you have a running martingale [loose] as it is not doing anything. I would be frightened he catches his teeth in the rings as stallions can do this sort of thing.
This is a competition so he is quite active. I would like to see less activity with your hands, so when schooling you should appear to be sitting nice and quietly, the horse and rider as one.
Personally, and if money is acceptable, I would go for a week to somewhere like Yorkshire Riding Centre who deal with good horses all the time
 
Last edited:
lukecampbell said:
My horse is 8 year old, he has been competing for years but for a while he has been diving at fences and unless I hold him until the last stride. And even when I do I have to hold him off his jump or else he will flatten over it. he ha a lot of ability but this is holding him back, I need help on trying to fix this problem I have tried "A" poles and tram line and neither seem to be working, can anyone recommend a new bit hes currently in a snaffle so welcome to any options. Baring in mind he is a stallion so if that might make a difference please say. Hes a bit temperamental. looking forward to any replies. ill post a link for a video below.
thanks


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N85eKp2Ev6g
Click to expand...
I would get a trainer in and work on the flat with a jump in the school and do many circles in front of it and go over when trainer says , also lots of work in the field too schooling with trainer. They can guide you of what to do, you need to be quick when a horse takes mind to head for the jumps. I have had this many times when teaching clients- pony club ponies who love jumping and bolt their jumps. Trainer is the way to go IMO don't do it solo.
 
Get a good jumping trainer. Tell them the full history of you and your horse. Tell them when the 'diving' at fences started. Ask them to assess whether it is something within your riding that has caused the change in his way of going or could there be something physically wrong with your horse that has caused the change in which case you need to consult a good equine vet.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top