Please can I have some jumping/confidence advidce? (pic)

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E_Lister

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Ok, I have started to jump my share pony.

She is lovely in every way, hacks like a star, quiet to handle, careful and cares for her rider. Perfect! Until you start to jump.... she is strong and very excitable, zooming towards the fence than cat leaping over, landing heavily on the other side (and has tipped me off a couple of times when I wasn't expecting it).

This is shattering my confidence and although I hadn't jumped more than 1 foot or so until today I was terrified even at the sight of the jumps! I have made a lot of progress today, from being scared to walk her over some poles, to jumping maybe 2 foot on the polyjump. She did really well and was over enthusiastic a lot of the time, leaving me trying to slow her canter and keep her off the forehand.

Well, because I had done so well, I decided to jump a different fence as I was in a jumping paddock and all the jumps were small and inviting heights. She has now started running out if it is a new jump. Luckily I had my sister there who ended up leading me until I was two strides before the fence then letting go, before I jumped it unaided the second time.

I think my confidence is still an issue as I didn't push her over the jump, I was still trying to curb her enthusiasm, being careful that she didn't go through the jump or trip.

OK, now for the photo, this was last week with my instructor, please ignore her face and fist, she was willing me over the jump, laugh as much as you like at me ;) This is why I get scared!

100_3667.jpg


I was having this problem over the higher jumps too, though she gave the jump less air each time! (Is there a way to try stop her doing this?)

Is there a way for me to increase my confidence AND encourage her not to swerve out, as that isn't helping either of us!!

Sorry this is so long! Turned into a bit of an essay didn't it? Hot choc and midget gems for all who answer this!
 
So the problem is that she overjumps badly?
Right:
do you jump from trot or canter?
would some pole work help? for example - 5 trotting poles, once she goes over them nicely, the last 2 become a crosspole, you can add one after the crosspole to stop her tanking away.
For swerving out you need to make it as easy for her as possible to make the decision to jump - placing pole, tunneling (poles resting on jump wing parallel to your route) etc.
And practice, practice, practice.
Make the jumps small enough for her to be able to jump from standstill or walk over and make sure you don't give her any other way - she has to be on the other side and that's the end of it.
Get a neck strap to hold on to.
 
Hot choc and midget gems sounds good to me sooo here goes!
My pony will only jump something that she has gone over the poles on the ground first we are hoping that over time that she will gain confidence and just go over them no problem. i struggle with confidence issues too but we start small each jumping lesson and build up if we feel that we can. If you don't think she can do it she wont. Only do what you feel you can do. it will all come in time. Good Luck! xxx
 
I had the same problem my boy would run out or just stop!

So we went back to the basic trot poles, he was never allowed to turn away the instructor did not care how we got over them but we had to go over. I went over them every day for a week, walk, trot, canter till he was bored and was just taking them in his stride.

Then we put wings either side of poles still on ground and again a few days of over and over. Then we moved onto a jump with only one pole up bit like your pic, he was not to run out the only way was over. They where small enough to go from a standstill. I have to say it was not pretty but hey we where jumping! we are now able to do a small course of 4/5 jumps some days he will canter into them others we just trot at no point am I pushed to the next level till im ready. If im have a wobbly we start with poles and work up.

Remember to breath it helps! Also when you have jumped and have that huge smile on your face remember that as thats why we do it!!!

Good luck
 
Overjumping sounds about right!

Today I was jumping her from trot. This made it easier to control her, however she is very strong and tends to "lean" in order to try pull me out of balance so she can then canter and leap.

I was using the trotting poles method today and she was getting there eventually so hopefully I can carry this on!

I will definitely try making tunnels, I think that could be a good mental barrier for me as well, if I don't think there is as much possibility of her running out, hopefully I will ride more positively and she might think that too!

Thanks for your replies :) all very helpful!
 
If she tries to tank to the jump in trot, try approaching in a two point (forward) seat, quite often if you do rising trot it just gets faster and faster - so very slowly in forward seat and try not to pull back (I know, easier said than done). Placing pole about 7-8 foot in front of the jump will make her think and not tank to it:)
 
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