My horse gets too excited when jumping -Help!

[Kate_13]

My horse is new to jumping and absolutely loves it! Normally my horse is very responsive and slows to weight aids. However when jumping this all goes out of the window!

He rushes off after a fence and sometimes gets sooooo excited approaching a jump that he bunny hops about.

I have been walkling him (when I can stop him) after a fence and to the approach of the next, then trot up to the fence.

Does anyone have any ideas of how I can stop him doing this?

Also I have been jumping in a normal snaffle and flash bridle. Have changed to a grakle, but still no brakes. Would a stronger bit help, or is this just masking the underlying problem?

Advice please. Thank you x

 

[monica987]

Gridwork? and more interesting things like scary fillers to back him off

 

[dozzie]

Grid work and pole work until your horse goes sensibly into the smaller fences.

 

[appennea]

Try flat work around fences as well - takes that novelty out if it. Also circling before a fence and only proceeding when you have a balanced canter is good too. May start off by having to do loads between each fence but that won't last.

 

[Niffer]

My horse used to be like this too. Do make sure you have 'brakes' as you don't want him to learn that he can get away from you easily when jumping.

Otherwise, ditto what the others have said: some gridwork, do a dressage test with some poles placed around and pop over them during the 'test'.

I keep telling myself jumping is dressage but with err jumps in it! Keep it all cool and calm!

 

[galaxy]

Gridwork, canter poles and some lessons with a good instructor!