Opinions needed on jumping schooling

[shads]

Hello folks, I've just joined today, it all looks great!
I'm having trouble with my horse and am running out of ideas and enthusiasm as to what I can do. Ive owned my 6yr old dutch warmblood X irish sport horse for almost two years now. I bought him when he was just backed and he has come on a huge amount since then. He has done a bit of everything at this stage, although his flatwork is more advanced than his jumping.
My problem is that, although he is forward on the flat, when we jump he just couldn't be bothered. He doesn't go forward and often gets extra strides in related distances. He will only bother putting effort in when the jumps are at least 1m, but its a bit daunting going in to do a higher course when he often gets in trouble in combinations etc. I've been bringing him on slowly, but I'm at a bit of a loss as to what my next move should be.
I know he is not adverse to jumping,as he jumps in and out of turnout fields most days, and he's the type of horse that if anything was hurting/annoying him he'd certainly let me know.!
He's a very confident horse in general and it often seems he thinks he knows it all and doesn't need to listen to me! I've had suggestions of using spurs on him, but I'm not sure this is the right move either.
As you can probably I'm at a loss at the moment, and would greatly appreciate any opinions or advice from people who have had similar experiences. Thank you!

 

[Elle1085]

Have you tried gridwork with him? it can really help build confidence jumping. also putting a pole in the middle of a 1 stride double helps prevent the horse putting in an extra stride. xc schooling can be a good way to get a horse enjoying jumping too if they take to it and you might find he starts to open up his stride. canter poles are good to improve the canter and even out the rhythm

 

[MandyMoo]

why do you not want to jump in spurs? i never jump without them really (i dont necessarily use them very often, but they are there if i need them and can just give a teeny squeeze and get more effect).

i agree that it would be a bit silly going into 1m+ courses when he struggles with combinations...so i would stick to the lower heights until you have sorted out hi striding in related distances and combinations. if you really don't want to jump in spurs, well all i can really suggest is really getting a forward strong canter before you turn towards your fence...open him p a bit round the school and then sit up and go to your fence so he has a nice forward powerful canter.. (works for my boy when he is feeling a bit lazy and after doing this once or twice he then just goes to the fences forward and strong and is able to get the correct strides to fences)

good luck with him xx

 

[emilyR]

i also think XC schooling would be a good idea - go with other horses though. Most horses really enter the spirit of it, and the jumps are solid so he is more likely to jump them properly.

Has he always been slow jumping? maybe he is getting a bit bored.. if you normally jump in a school, do some grids in the field for a change, I'd also suggest some crosspole spreads - get him picking his feet up as well as having to give you a rounder, bigger jump for the width. Bounces are also good, but you may have to carry a stick if he trys to put a stride in. Maybe also try some loosejumping - you may get a different perspective on his technique when watching from the ground rather than riding him.

When warming up try and really get him going off youre leg, get him lengthening down the long side and also some shortening, then ask for a fast, lengthened canter in the approach to a fence, so when you pick him up on that final stride or two, he is raring to go.

 

[diggerbez]

the grey in my siggy could be very stuffy when jumping- to the point that i had him tested for a virus at one point!! at other times he was a lunatic and would try to leg off with me

ultimately it was all down to his flatwork- whilst he went nicely on the flat he was always a bit ignorant to the leg/whip/spur- yes he's go forward but he wouldn't 'jump' off my leg as soon as i'd applied the aid. once i got jumping this problem was even more obvious. so to me it might be the flatwork that needs working on- with small grids/ poles on the ground if necessary- he really needs to be responsive to your leg- even if it means having to pony club kick him once or twice. when Oz was going in to do a round of jumping i would get off his back and give him a good gallop round the outside of the ring before starting....hope this helps!

 

[shads]

Hi guys,thanks for the replies. I've done a bit of cross country schooling with him and he really enjoyed it, so im thinking i might do some of that again. I'm also toying with the idea of bringing him to a drag hunt or two, although Im a bit more worried about my safety than his for that!
We have been doing gridwork with our instructor but I suppose Rome wasn't built in a day so I may allow a bit of time to see results. The last few days I've been working on bringing him back and then sending him forward esp in canter, and I could see a change in his paces today. Thinking about it, my flatwork has always been geared more towards dressage than jumping, if you get me.
Thanks for the advice, I'll keep going and try not to lose heart with it...sure I suppose thats half the fun of it!