Teaching Tess to jump and a fall.

[bearTessy]

Took Tess to the Sandschool yesterday as it is no longer water logged after the non-stop rain we had over here in Lincolnshire, this was her third time jumping since she had Dolly and we can already see some huge improvements. When she first came to us she had just been used as a driving horse and a happy hacker. She had established walk, trot and failed miserably at canter she just didn’t know the aids and would run into it. We have cracked the canter and she is very light off the legs now and will spring into canter, she is also very, very green in the school. When faced with poles and a single jump it’s clear someone has done this with her before but more than one jump and she panics. We are working on this with her now and can already see an improvement she didn’t run out at all or stop this time, her ears were forwards and I felt myself saying ‘woah’ rather than persuading her to go over jumps

The top picture is her first little jump whilst she was pregnant, and the bottom is 3 lessons later ( yesterday)

We are not over facing her with bigger jumps at the moment ( although I believe she would happily do it) as we are spending time building her confidence first

We did have one slip up, she learn a valuable lesson that you shouldn’t try and shove your foot in the middle of a cross pole it’s not a clever idea, she took off on the correct stride and for some unknown reason decided to stick her hoof in the middle of the jump. Got it stuck and as a result fell onto her knees, face planted the floor at which point I went out the side door and head-butted the jump in front ( good job I had my hat on) and winded myself. She managed to pull herself back up and we are both fine, little sore today and bruised but got back on jumped it perfectly another 3 times following this

 

[dianchi]

Opps a daisy!

Least no damage done, I would try and sit up a little bit more, as you say they are smaller fences at the moment to get confidence up so you can sit up a little more to help with balance on landing.

That's some impressive flying tho!

 

[saddlesore]

Agree with above. I wouldn't fold over that as it's really a raised pole and just let my hands go with her. I definitely agree with keeping them small though, it's too easy to push a genuine cob and ruin their confidence. I have a young coloured I'm hoping to start this summer so your pics are making me jealous!

 

[Mrs C]

Ouch I hope you're ok! She looked to be enjoying that. The last pic with your leg in the air is funny (sorry, shouldn't laugh but couldn't help it!!!)

 

[bearTessy]

Opps a daisy!

Least no damage done, I would try and sit up a little bit more, as you say they are smaller fences at the moment to get confidence up so you can sit up a little more to help with balance on landing.

That's some impressive flying tho!

Thank you for the advice,

Agree with above. I wouldn't fold over that as it's really a raised pole and just let my hands go with her. I definitely agree with keeping them small though, it's too easy to push a genuine cob and ruin their confidence. I have a young coloured I'm hoping to start this summer so your pics are making me jealous!

Thank you, I havn't really done much jumping I have always stuck to ground work so we are learning together so finding what is good for both of us is coming along slowly. I will keep that in mind next time we try it, ah how lovely

 

[bearTessy]

Ouch I hope you're ok! She looked to be enjoying that. The last pic with your leg in the air is funny (sorry, shouldn't laugh but couldn't help it!!!)

Just rather sore today and coming up with bruises in areas that I didn't think I hurt ! It's fine her expression in that one makes me laugh she looks confused as to why my legs are in her face

 

[Hutchlou]

Ah bless you both! Think Tessy learnt to jump at the same school as my TT! We've been playing over a log out hacking this week & I've definitely seen an improvement in his jumping! X