Taeching ex racehorse to jump

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lou_lou

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Hey guys, need some advice please on starting an ex racer over show jumps. I have a lot of SJ experience but never worked with TB's before and just wondered if you would do anything differently when starting them over fences. The horse in question has been out of racing (he was a hurdler) for 2 years and is working Elementary on the flat. He has done lots of pole work and is totally unfased will do lines of poles and single poles no problem. First jumping session I just put up a small upright came at trot and he popped over sweetly next time was lazy and didn't really pick toes up, so I decided to come in canter lovely and bouncy saw a great deep SJ stride and he took off a stride early and ran! He quickly calmed down I jumped again from trot a few times and he was fine we left it there. I am jumping again tomorrow, should I avoid canter and stick to trot? Or use canter poles to teach him there is a closer spot and he doesn't have to hurdle? Any advice welcomed :)
 
Definitely use poles and grids to help him see the SJ stride not the racing stride! :D

I had an ex racer but was lucky she only flat raced so just introduced her to jumping as normal

Good luck! :)
 
Thanks I will try poles i'm just a bit worried he might take on the pole and fence in one! I will just have to hold on tight first time round :)

I can't do loose jumping not allowed at my yard.
 
I'm always a bit leery about loose schooling nh horses unless you really have a proper chute. Too much chance of them hearing the call to the post. . .

Remember, it's not that you're teaching him from scratch, you're retraining something he already thinks he knows how to do. This will take a bit more patience to change his 'default'.
 
He sounds well educated and athletic so I would concentrate on doing lots of small gymnastic exercises with him to teach him he can lift his front end regardless of how slowly he is going. I would walk jump him and spend lots of time making sure he is 'lifting' through his shoulders rather than just folding his knees. I had one TB that I could walk to 1.10m (would have gone higher again but I had made my point!) and he was an incredible jumper.
The key is to make everything S-L-O-W! He might not feel confident jumping from trot so let him canter but keep the handbrake on all the time.
 
Am interested in this thread because I have an ex hurdler who I have started taking to showjumping clinics. At first he hit every trotting pole but he has learned how to do them now.We find poles after the jump as well as before help him because he has been taught to get away at quickly as possible and they make him think a bit more. Given the choice he will always take a long stride. My instructor has always advised me to let him work it out for himself and sit very still.Little bounce fences have been suggested to me as well so he learns not to go in too big so he can't get out. Havent been brave enough to try yet.At first he wouldn't jump from trot but he will now. Your horse sounds very well schooled so he should be easier to hold together if he doesnt get too excited. Good luck and love to know how you get on.
 
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