My horse likes to stick his head in the air when jumping

[Paint it Lucky]

well when approaching a fence really. He also likes to go very fast. Should I be worried? He is a very genuine jumper and pretty much jumps anything you point him at. I have gotten used to his style so it doesn't worry me, though I am aware it probably doesn't look very beautifull!

I jump him in a running martingale as this helps me have abit of control, otherwise he will put his head so high it is a wonder he can see where he's going at all. Should I be trying to make him lower his head or just accept that this is how he is?

Sorry this probably seems a really vague/pointless post!

 

[Meandtheboys]

Yes I have one of those( 17:3hh giraffe )........I jump him in an elasticated standing martingale and it does help.

Just to add I have recently 'upped' the lessons with more pole work, flatwork and this is really helping him to use himself better.

 

[ChesnutsRoasting]

I think you have to remedy the rushing. You want to have a nice bouncy rhythmical canter = impulsion. Go back to basics, work on your canter including canter poles. Teach your pony to lengthen and shorten the stride in canter. If he's gets strong on approach, go in trot. You must stop the rushing. What bit have you got on him? If you take a pull, due to him getting strong, on approach to a jump this maybe the reason his heads going north.

 

[PoppyAnderson]

Have you had any lessons with a good SJ instructor, just to check if there's anything else you could be doing to help or indeed anything you are doing that isn't helping?! Have you got a vid you could post or even some pics? What bit is pony in?

 

[Paint it Lucky]

Thanks anya, hmm hadn't thought of a standing martingale, am not normally a fan of them as worry they might restrict his shape over a fence? Do you find this at all? I suppose if it's elastic it should be less severe.

I admit our schoolings not the best! Well it's not bad, he is pretty obediant and will work in a fair outline on the flat though he rarely really gives to the contact as much as I would like (tends to feel quite stiff and set). As soon as he sees a jump though his head comes up and there's not much I can do to get it down again! I sometimes ride him in a stronger bit for jumping, either a dutch gag on second ring, which only makes minimal difference or occassionally a tom thumb gag which is the only I know will stop him but don't like to ride in this too much as it is quite severe. He will slow down obediently after the fences (well unless we're doing a course where he tends to just plough on!) the approach is our worse bit.

 

[diggerbez]

whilst its not a major issue it is something that you can work on. as your fences go bigger you will find that he finds it harder to use himself properly if his ears are up your nose definitely lots of polework and grid work is needed...and maybe something more like a pelham than a dutch gag....my tb can be a bit like your horse, and he goes much nicer in a jointed happy mouth pelham than in a gag...