Some CC on my riding/Ethel/jumping *videos*

[tonitot]

I'd like some CC on my riding and jumping and Ethel in general I am riding her in a racing saddle which affects my position and I know I turn my hands over (someone on here calls them "dog paws" ) which I think is because I've been riding racehorses for a while an not doing any proper schooling. When I jump I hold the neck strap of my martingale as I worry about socking her in the mouth so if anyone can give me some advice to prevent that without holding the neck strap I'd be grateful
Tried to put the videos together to make one but can't do it on my phone so afraid there are 3 short videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBLrxGyzFNE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEsnIABpP_E&feature=youtube_gdata_player

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejIELjoTe0c&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Also how does Ethel look in her way of going? Looking at the videos she doesn't look quite right to me but th videos were taken beginning of November and I've had a vet out since who said she was sound.

Please be gentle

 

[sheep]

I would suggest that to improve your hands, you need to start thinking about anticipating the moment she will take off and give your hands forward to allow her to stretch fully over the fence.

If you aren't confident about doing that over fences just yet, you could even just do it over canter poles. Then, you could set up a grid of canter poles and small fences, to give you confidence in giving your hands. I know a lot of people worry about jabbing in the mouth but once you are comfortable with giving your hands as an instant reaction to a fence (ie as part of your jump position) you will not have to worry about it any more.

You ride her nice and quietly into the fences but it looks a little bit like she is lacking in impulsion. I suppose if you are riding an ex racer there is a fine line between keeping her quiet / having a nutcase underneath you! Again, the gridwork might help improve this and help you to really ride her into the jump.

She looks like a nice mare (I love her name, old lady names are cool- mine is called Elsie!) so I look forward to seeing more videos!

 

[tonitot]

Thank you SB I will try doing that but I do worry alot about jabbing her, I don't want her to become reluctant to jump because she thinks she going to get yanked. She is a nice little horse Shes very sensitive to my leg so I tend not to use it as much as I should as once she decides shes going she gets very gobby and pretends she cant hear me We are having lessons soon so that will help a lot

 

[sheep]

My best friend is exactly the same; her greatest jumping worry is mouth jabbing. She's tried a few different things, including elastic inserts in reins etc. But I think the best thing you can do is learn to give your hands as much as you can. I'm sure once your lessons start you'll get loads of good tips! I can imagine it must be hard to strike a balance on a sharp, sensitive mare, but once your instructor gets to know you both then they'll be the best person to give CC.

 

[tonitot]

I try to give as much as I can with my hands when we jump but I still worry that if I lose my balance I'll catch her by accident I've heard good things about the instructor I've asked for lessons with so hopefully she will be very helpful although I've decided not to jump her until she says Ethels ready for it as I think our flatwork needs a bit of work first. Re old lady names, I really want to get another mare and call her Edith

 

[tonitot]

Bump

 

[tonitot]

Bumping again for more opinions

 

[Wizzkid]

I'd suggest some grid work as well will help with confidence and rhythm.
I'd also try to get a nice bouncy canter into the jump i hate trotting into fences always feels horrid!
Good luck

 

[Jesstickle]

I think Ethel looks lovely and chilled about it which is really good. If you come in canter how is she then? If she is still nice and chilled I would think about putting yourself a placing pole out before the fence. Then you know when she's going to take off and she'll never catch you out and you can practise giving with your hands safe in the knowledge you don't have to try and spot where she will get air borne!

 

[tonitot]

I thought I had a video of us cantering to the jump but can't seem to find it. In canter it depends what mood she's in, sometimes she's lovely and relaxed, other times she's charging round ignoring me and therefore jumps like poo Normally with placing poles she either ignores the fact that theyre there or takes of far too early, although I do think that that's her greenness and could be easily sorted with some lessons How she is always just depends on what mood she's in on the day, sometimes she'll try really hard for me, others she just tries to do whatever she wants .. Typical mare

 

[Tammytoo]

She looks a little sweetie - but I love ex.racers!

I would concentrate on getting you and her better balanced on the flat - once your core muscles are strengthened you should have no problems with jabbing her in the mouth. You should be able to let the reins slip though your fingers and then collect up again to avoid jabbing her if she jumps big or early or pecks on landing.

Good luck!

 

[tonitot]

Thanks Tammytoo I thought that we should get better in the flat before attempting some serious jumping which is why I've asked my instructor-to-be to help us on the flat and tell us when she feels we are both ready to start jumping properly

 

[tonitot]

Bump again

 

[VioletStripe]

All I would say is ride a bit more positively into the fences - maybe try canter, I personally find it easier and give with your hands a bit more, as in push them up to her ears more. Other than that, really nice!! Lovely mare xx

 

[tonitot]

Thanks Violet Stripe

 

[Holly Hocks]

I'm rubbish at jumping, so I wouldn't comment on that! On the flat though, I think you look a really good quiet rider - comes from riding all those racehorses I suspect!!
My mare was very similar before she became lame - I used to keep her on the quiet side as it was such a fine line between a bit too slow and tanking.
Good luck with whatever you do with her.

 

[kinnygirl1]

Wow you are doing so well at jumping in a racing saddle! V impressed. Do you think that if you had a GP or jumping saddle you would maybe feel more secure and allow your hands to go with her more? As you say though, whilst you are still getting the feel of her jump it is prob better to grab on the neck strap than risk bumping her mouth.

I know what you mean about her looking just slightly unsound in the trot ( do you think off hind?) it could be though that is just because she isn't moving forward at that stage of the video with much impulsion. Sometimes I think my gelding looks a bit "off" when he is being lazy but when he starts working over his back I can tell he is fine.

Well done and good luck

 

[SophieLouBee]

Really a repeat of what everyone has said, hands need to come up and forward. I am no great jumper, I much prefer to keep all four, or, three, or even two, feet on the ground! I have to make a concious effort to push my hands towards the horses ears, and as long as I do it, I rarely tend to sock them in the mouth, even if we do have a dodge stride, or some airborn acrobatics.

You ride her nice and quietly into the jump, but she's quite flat and needs 'gathering up' to get a bit more impulsion. I understand about trying to get that impulsion without maing her all crazy and excited, once she has gotten used to the leg being on, she should be fine. Flatwork, flatwork & more flatwork will help

P.s. I used to be really bad at 'handlebar hands' as a kid, constantly yelled at for it, then when i had a stint as a work rider, they all took the pee because I was 'too classical'. You can't win!

 

[tonitot]

Thank you HollyHocks

Kinnygirl1, thank you I actually feel more unbalanced in a GP as I'm so used to riding racing saddle that I feel like GPs are too bulky. I am planning on getting a close contact saddle to see if that helps me She always looks unsound behind to me although this could be because she's not very forward but she has spavins in her hocks and she gets better with work, I don't think she'd been in regular work very long when I videoed(sp?) this so that could be why.

SLB, thanks I've always held my hands funny but riding racehorses has made it worse. I'm so used to having my reins bridged and hands down in their necks so when I have to hold them properly and off the neck it feels very strange. Haha I always got moaned at for slouching when I rode so sorted that out, first day the YM at work saw me on one of the racehorses she shouted "relax! You don't have to sit bolt upright on these horses!" so agree, can't win

 

[kinnygirl1]

Kinnygirl1, thank you I actually feel more unbalanced in a GP as I'm so used to riding racing saddle that I feel like GPs are too bulky. I am planning on getting a close contact saddle to see if that helps me She always looks unsound behind to me although this could be because she's not very forward but she has spavins in her hocks and she gets better with work, I don't think she'd been in regular work very long when I videoed(sp?) this so that could be why.

He he.... the more bulk I have to hold on to the better!I am rubbish at jumping! It could be the spavins... my friends horse has them too and he also looks just a little off at the start of work but once he warms up and gets going he is fine. Meant to say though how lovely your mare is and I love the name Ethel -so cute! Mine has an old man name - Stanley

 

[Pharphar!]

i empathise re exracers. however, my boy is actually easier in canter to a jump. tbh his last owner worked him loads and got him to eventing standard but he was lacking a lot of flatwork and mainly concentrated on xc with bits of sj (not slating her she did an amazing job). Prob was she's a stronger rider than me and i had probs with flat work from the get-go. After a whole summer of only flat work and doing dressage tests to keep us going out he has and most importantly i have improved loads. He now listens to me and my position etc have improved loads. I also rode only in a jumping saddle at first and since changing it to a dressage then a really good GP i've notices a massive difference. Flatwork flatwork flat work is all i can say, it'll make a massive difference!

 

[tonitot]

Haha I'm pretty crap at jumping too, I would post the video of me falling off over a jump and landing on my head but I think I'd get ripped apart on here I think it was the spavins, will see how she is when I finally get her in full work next year I used to have a clan of ponies/horses with old name, had Ethel, a little Shetland x called Henry and a pony on loan called Ted, the oldest horse on the yard was called Bella, so it was a bit all back to front as she had the young name at 32 years old and oldie named horses were 4-7 years old

 

[tonitot]

Thanks Pharphar, you've given me hope