teaching horses to 'jump'

[shadowboy]

I have two instructors, one is a classical dressage rider and the other a traditional BD trainer from the list of trainers. Both are great but cannot help me with jumping. Little mare has never ever ever seen a jump. How do i start? Do i lunge her over poles first etc? and what are the stages of progression?

 

[Shilasdair]

Single walk pole
Walk and trot poles (9ft approx)
Trot poles (4 1/2 ft) all in light seat to get her used to it
Little cross pole, perhaps on lunge depending on your confidence...or at the end of trot poles.....crosses are best as they guide the horse to the centre...put down a ground pole in front to help the horse judge it.
S

 

[moneypit1]

My 2yo free schools over little poles and jumps and loves it. It gives him a chance to work it out for himself long before I get on board. Just a thought

 

[MagicMelon]

I usually lunge them over a pole then a tiny cross pole, then do it on board. But spread it over a few sessions and dont make a big deal about it. Just put a few poles in the school and as your schooling as usual just wonder over them in walk and then trot. Then once she does that fine, move onto trotting & cantering poles, and then pop over a small x pole. Just take it slow and see how she responds.

 

[lucemoose]

echo to never make a big deal about it. Best to lunge over a pole/x pole whilst you are starting as then they can teach themselves in a way,without upsetting their balance, just as we long rein, lunge with tack on when you first break a horse.