Rushing at jumps (longish)

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welshpony

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I've had my horse about five months and have been jumping him indoors most of the winter. He hasn't been jumped outdoors (apart from warm up rings) since October. I jumped him outdoors today and found that I had no control, he rushed at every fence and the only way I had of approaching a jump sensibly was to put them all right down and trot everything, walking in between. Indoors he is absolutely fine, doesn't pull or try to rush them. He did the same when we jumped outdoors in oct, but I put it down to having only ridden him a few times and me being used to riding ponies. I have no idea where to go from here, any help/ideas would be greatly appreciated!
 
my friends horse used to do this and she asked my to sit on him so she could see what he was doing. To help we over exagurated the slow down signal like had a double up and in between really sat back and very exagurated it and then did a circle and did this a few times. Then jump it all and just used a slight singnal and so on it seemed to work anbd has really helped. Sorry if im not much help xx
 
My pony use to rush at jumps and stronger bits were used to no avail. so i started having lessons as he was a fab jumper. Sooo we did no jumping first month, just schooling at walk and trot only and no cantering at all. then we did lots and lots of grid work all at a trot. sometimes my instructor would walk slowly infront of grid jump as he was approaching jump to give him something to look at. After a few months he was fab. after 6 months he was so balanced and jumped beautifully and in a snaffle. Schooling really pays off..
 
Yip agree with you schooling definitely pays off, the reason I ask about bits , is that sometimes when using a stronger bits , horses tend to run off with you , and its a fear of the bit and of jumping .... Flatwork is the key .... then trotting poles and doing circles before a fence and making sure your horse is enjoying the work and not frightened or not understanding what is asked of him
 
my boy does this-the first couple of jumps he is fine and then he gets exited and starts rushing and being silly. Gridwork makes him angry, but sort of helps but not for long. I was told by my teacher to take your knees of the saddle, as this pushes you back. I founf this worked quite well, although he still rushes a bit. I found that no bit makes him different, but if i pull on the bit he just gets more exited and bounces. I just try to keep him calm. I agree that schooling helps a lot, but i dont have much time to school him-and no place to do it!
 
I had the same with my horse a long time ago. He rushed his fences and everyone said "Isn't he keen!!!" No!!! He was dangerous!! I got a good instructor in who said "He's not keen he's frightened- horses that rush fences are scared". So... I had to drop the reins and jump through a grid! First time was SCARY!!! After that he just popped through the grid. I couldnt believe it!
So what you have to do is let the horse find his own way. Try a small grid and allow lots of rein if you are afraid to let go completely! Go back to basics, lots of grids and pole work and small fences. And avoid going against the clock for a while as this can knock back any progress made in one easy lesson.
It is how I got into eventing as I couldn't put said horse against the clock, as he panicked. But he ended up a really good jumper and would jump anything mummy told him to so it was worth it.
Hope this helps a bit. Just to know other people have been there!
 
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