TB becoming too strong jumping, help please!

C

cobface

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 January 2010
Messages
956
Visit site
Hi, going from my previous threads something needs to be done regarding my mare when she jumps. ( will try get a video uploaded to demonstrate) She gets far far far too excited and ends up rushing fences and jumping them flat or/and knocking poles over especially at doubles as where there is meant to be 2 strides she will just go hell for leather and take one big one!
Its great thats shes so keen - she really pulls me to the fences which is good for my confidence as i know she will jump. But thats a bit of the problem, she pulls and pulls and is becoming increasingly stronger every time we jump. Even a pole on the ground she leaps over! the approach normally consists of head up high, pull, leap, leap change legs etc......i have gotton into the habit of containing her untill about 3 strides up then letting her go, once she has jumped shes hard to stop. She is becoming strong on the flat too! Shes just 5 and is right up to weight for the first time since i have had her, now she has new found energy and excitement!!
She is ridden in a french link snaffle, drop nose band and a martingale for jumping.
Any exercises or help? or do i need to resort to a stronger bit?
 
Have the usual been checked? Back saddle and teeth?

Had this problem with a TB that I had a few years ago. Took her right back to basics and walked over poles until they became boring. Started with one or two in the school, then just scattered them about. Would insist on walking and would make her stand still if she tried to pull me into them. When she realised that there was no point in charging at them gradually built up to a slow trot, same rules applied, go too fast, stop and walk on. Then put up a few very small x poles, repeated the previous. They were so small she could walk over them from a standstill if necessary. Did this a few days running until she got the idea we went at my pace.

Have used this on other horses who tend to rush and find it works well, all horses have been ridden in snaffles and have not had to put a stronger bit in any of them.


It can take alot of time and paticence, but it has been worth it.
Hope this helps.
 
an old friend who used to coach showjumpers told me to pull up strong forward eventer type after each fence... not 'socking in the mouth' but literally just come to a stop and then trot on until you reach the next fence in a few canter strides then pull up immediately after the fence and continue to do this repeatedly (boredom) horse should get some manners. But i do add that no stronger bits nor chains were needed like above. Only six though so is your ground work ok? (above)
 
Yes, this is what i try to do, once she has jumped i make her trot to the next fence. Will try more pole/grid work with her to get her to relax and slow down.
Thanks
 
Would agree with alwaysbroke. My mare was like this over poles, and we have done hours of just walking over them. If she starts to fling herself over them, she gets a hefty half halt OVER the pole to almost pause her halfway.

The problem with trotting and then cantering the last few strides is that is teaching them to up the pace towads fences, which is a no no!

Loads of grids with lots of poles on the floor to high X poles, and working on being able to move on and bring back the canter using your upper body and legs will make a huge difference to her rideability, and help you teach her to sit and wait for a fence.

We have done loads of work like this, and now jump in a happy mouth straight bar snaffle and a cavesson noseband ;) My mare is also 5.
 
oh defo only up the anti to canter strides once the trot has been mastered inbetween fences.. Sorry not made much sense!! I think repeating the exercises until the horse is bored is essential and do not shy away from doing it. Some people might say give it a break but you will only condition it if you take a consistent approach :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top