The lost art of following through with the hands.

Oh I have a worse one than that! It's my horse but not me thou. A girl at old yard wanted to show jump him as its something I don't do. Tbh I have done a similar thing only over a much smaller fence. Can you post pics if you aren't in them?
 
I could photo shop me on cos I'd be happy if I dared jump that high in a school!! I actually think she's a much better rider than me too, hence why I let her jump him. Will have a go at photo shop.
 
Photo bucket let me put a red dot on!

149894_170764296286869_100000599006416_465071_721278_n-1.jpg


Now i'm not judging as i'm not this brave but i was a bit put out and tbh i have done this myself but only over smaller fences.
 
Copperpot said:
Photo bucket let me put a red dot on!

Now i'm not judging as i'm not this brave but i was a bit put out and tbh i have done this myself but only over smaller fences.
Click to expand...

Ouch! Bravery all very well, but not when it comes at this sort of price.
Very good representation of how much it hampers a horse to have its front end hung onto - it creates the helicopter effect, which is horribly uncomfortable to sit to!
 
Oi, Wobble and Flop, have you nothing constructive to say about the photos I put up? (aside from the "fall flat on cob's neck on take off" pic, which is for amusement value only :p) I know they're woeful, but perhaps I could come and demo how not to do it on the Tits and Teeth tour? :confused:
 
Auslander said:
I jumped quite long all through my childhood/early teens, and used to fall off all the time. Wasn't til I went to work for WFP, that I learned how much more secure you felt with the stirrups hoicked right up. When I was fit and riding properly, my jumping length used to be 7 holes shorter than my dressage length! 45 degree angle behind the knee.

Nowadays, Im just happy to stay on!
Click to expand...

Ride short, Live long!!
 
Red dot girl must like being tied up and gagged cos that's what she's doing to that horse. Shouldnt be allowed over a cavelletti never mind that. (I learnt to ride properly)
 
The photos from my post probably look like I fix on his neck - but that is thankfully one bad habit I don't have! I may need to bridge reins but have never fixed hands on withers.
I used to throw the contact away over the fence but got told off terribly so now hold the contact (but with a light contact) and can be guilty of being a bit too restrictive (most likely in the showjumping) but that goes hand in hand with me trying to collect him from my seat and as he is young it doesn't always get the desired response!

I would also rather hold that little bit more in a combination of upright palisades (like the landing photo) as he is a big horse that can get away from me all too easy.
He is only 6 therefore his stage of training I have to help him that little bit more. Feel free to cc my riding, I know my weakness but I also know my strengths :)

no-one is perfect (except maybe WFP), and we all have lessons trying to achieve the best that we can and improving our abilities! :)
 
Ride short, live long!! I like that!!

I agree Auslander and this is what I am most afraid of replicating hence the throw away the reins. But practice makes better ( I want to say perfect but that would be hoping for too much) :)
 
JFTD said:
Oi, Wobble and Flop, have you nothing constructive to say about the photos I put up? (aside from the "fall flat on cob's neck on take off" pic, which is for amusement value only :p) I know they're woeful, but perhaps I could come and demo how not to do it on the Tits and Teeth tour? :confused:
Click to expand...

I hadn't forgotten you! I was thinking long and hard before commenting!

You're an interesting one! You know what you're doing, and your ponies are testament to that, but your jumping pictures don't really do you justice! The 'slightly in front of the movement' one on your coloured boy is pretty classic case of taking off a stride before the horse does - and I think it's in your head rather than physical. I would hazard a guess that you are so keen to get it right, that you overthink, try too hard to get it right, so it goes a bit wrong. If I were to get my hands on you, you would be jumping with your eyes shut to get you feeling what was happening underneath you, rather than acting on what you thought should be happening, slightly before it actually happens.

Fergs is a slightly different scenario, because he does exactly the same to DaftHoss as he does to you, and I think its all to do with his harrier jumpjet technique, which could be due to him being a bit nervous of the fence, but keen to do what's asked of him at the same time. I can imagine he's not easy to sit to - looks like he takes you into the bottom of a fence, and then explodes upwards, rather than forwards, which is enough to shoot anyone upwards at high speed! I think it will improve as he gets more confident. He's such a genuine little horse, and he's so keen to please that he makes it a bit hard for himself!
 
only_me said:
The photos from my post probably look like I fix on his neck - but that is thankfully one bad habit I don't have! I may need to bridge reins but have never fixed hands on withers.
I used to throw the contact away over the fence but got told off terribly so now hold the contact (but with a light contact) and can be guilty of being a bit too restrictive (most likely in the showjumping) but that goes hand in hand with me trying to collect him from my seat and as he is young it doesn't always get the desired response!

I would also rather hold that little bit more in a combination of upright palisades (like the landing photo) as he is a big horse that can get away from me all too easy.
He is only 6 therefore his stage of training I have to help him that little bit more. Feel free to cc my riding, I know my weakness but I also know my strengths :)

no-one is perfect (except maybe WFP), and we all have lessons trying to achieve the best that we can and improving our abilities! :)
Click to expand...

I've had my eye on Billy for ages - he's one of my favourite HHO horses (I love a nice quality coloured)
He's a lot of baby to hold together, and I think your tactics are spot on for his level of training. Fwiw, I looked at your photos earlier today, and didn't think for a minute that you were restricting him or resting your hands on his withers. You've got him nicely set up, you're in a defensive enough position to deal with any baby moments, without being behind the movement, and he looks to be going nicely for a big green baby.

In time, I think he'll become more up in front and pingy, but it's early days. He makes me smile when I see him do his thing.

I'm quite jealous...I want a classy cowprint one!!

PS - William (Shock horror) isn't always perfect! Just most of the time...
 
Its probably just as you say, balance! I remember doing jumping with no reins etc, so you get used to never relying on your hands.............not sure if they would still do that given the liability culture at the moment.

It can be to much the polar opposite to..........seen some folk going over a 2ft jump like its the Puissance wall!

I just don't think enough is focused on style when jumping. Its more on just getting over the fence in one piece.

Now I'm no fab rider, but i've been told my position/hands are quite good for jumping (just everything else is crap! haha) See blurry pic below. Enough rein given in relation to the size of the fence allowing horse to stretch but stil enough to have a connection and to be able to tell horse what to do before landing.

161_20095900651_520060651_1706450_7963_n.jpg
 
Auslander said:
I've had my eye on Billy for ages - he's one of my favourite HHO horses (I love a nice quality coloured)
He's a lot of baby to hold together, and I think your tactics are spot on for his level of training. Fwiw, I looked at your photos earlier today, and didn't think for a minute that you were restricting him or resting your hands on his withers. You've got him nicely set up, you're in a defensive enough position to deal with any baby moments, without being behind the movement, and he looks to be going nicely for a big green baby.

In time, I think he'll become more up in front and pingy, but it's early days. He makes me smile when I see him do his thing.

I'm quite jealous...I want a classy cowprint one!!

PS - William (Shock horror) isn't always perfect! Just most of the time...
Click to expand...

Aww thank you :) He is a lovely person, just gangly but improving! I'm very aware of being too restrictive with my hands (especially my right) without backing him up from behind, but if I keep his hind engaged with enough power i don't feel as though I am restricting him as much :)
He is already becoming more up in front and pingy in lessons, but ultimately as you say, it will take time :)
You could always breed one, mine came direct from breeders who are starting to work his full brother! ;)
Lol I don't believe you, WFP is pretty much perfect :p Wish he did some clinics here ;)
 
only_me said:
Aww thank you :)
Lol I don't believe you, WFP is pretty much perfect :p Wish he did some clinics here ;)
Click to expand...

I worked for him when he was in his early twenties, so he may well have become completely perfect in the meantime. He used to make me ride 2yr old racehorses and then laugh when I fell off!
 
Auslander said:
I hadn't forgotten you! I was thinking long and hard before commenting!

You're an interesting one! You know what you're doing, and your ponies are testament to that, but your jumping pictures don't really do you justice! The 'slightly in front of the movement' one on your coloured boy is pretty classic case of taking off a stride before the horse does - and I think it's in your head rather than physical. I would hazard a guess that you are so keen to get it right, that you overthink, try too hard to get it right, so it goes a bit wrong. If I were to get my hands on you, you would be jumping with your eyes shut to get you feeling what was happening underneath you, rather than acting on what you thought should be happening, slightly before it actually happens.

Fergs is a slightly different scenario, because he does exactly the same to DaftHoss as he does to you, and I think its all to do with his harrier jumpjet technique, which could be due to him being a bit nervous of the fence, but keen to do what's asked of him at the same time. I can imagine he's not easy to sit to - looks like he takes you into the bottom of a fence, and then explodes upwards, rather than forwards, which is enough to shoot anyone upwards at high speed! I think it will improve as he gets more confident. He's such a genuine little horse, and he's so keen to please that he makes it a bit hard for himself!
Click to expand...

Well that's intriguing. I do like to be an interesting freak :D I have the same problem with horseball - I've been picking up all winter in training no bother, then the moment we're in matches I can't get down at all. Same problem with shooting (on goal, not bloodsports :p). I guess it boils down to me being a proper psych case :o The face on neck photo is the result of him chipping one in (he'd been taking long ones all day) and my stirrups being dafthoss length and totally in front of him.

I've spent years jumping J bareback, no stirrups etc, but if I run F down a small grid without stirrups I find myself totally all over the place. He is a bit of a loose cannon sometimes :o He's really only just learnt to jump off a decent stride and not climb over things - confidence is definitely an issue and I hope you're right that he'll be easier to sit when he's got more of it! He really is honest though and I'd feel terrible to be hanging on his mouth all the time - he really doesn't deserve to be punished for trying so hard even when it goes wrong :o

Speaking of his harrier jumpjet technique, he did this to me today. (my hands being absolutely awful in this shamefully)

522174_535776679867_794945503_n.jpg


Anyway, thanks for your thoughts and advice - much appreciated :D I shall have to try some blindfolded jumping and see what effect it has :eek:
 
Well there will be some good photos :D. Possibly try on J first before F although it was J you were on when you got concussion.......
 
dafthoss said:
Well there will be some good photos :D. Possibly try on J first before F although it was J you were on when you got concussion.......
Click to expand...

Nonsense, I was on the floor when I got concussion :rolleyes: I think I'm screwed whoever I try it on. But I'm having a neck strap and I am going to be holding on for dear life :D
 
Oh yeah it was the blimmin essex clay that did it ;)

If your lucky I might even help you and tell you when your a stride out :p
 
Auslander said:
I haven't seen any really awful pics yet! I'm now hugely embarrassed about starting the thread in the first place. It appears that the majority are absolutely fine...
Click to expand...

Embarrassment or not, I'm glad you started it... I've just started giving my son some very basic jumping lessons and this thread has been a great way of reminding myself of some points - particularly as I have zero inclination to launch over anything larger than a matchstick myself these days... :D

The youngsters around here all seem to jump almost standing up and close enough to chew on the horse's ears with hands up the top of the neck... I was beginning to wonder if there was some revolution in jumping methodology that I'd missed...
 
I am not going to post a picture of em jumping...i only have one and its terrible i do the come lets both jump this together but clinging on for dear life approach to jumping. Think i am getting better though. Maybe once i can actually jump my horse again i will post some pictures....maybe...

Great advice though :) thank you
 
Auslander said:
You'll totally understand my earlier comments about being the monkey in the cannon then!!

Neckstraps FTW! I'd rather go out riding with no pants on than no neckstrap!
Click to expand...


I'm the one at dressage comps that looks like a completely numpty in my neck strap (horse wears it not me;)) but guess i would even more daft on the deck after a 'moment'!

No shame in a neck strap!
 
Pics = terrible, screen shotted videos!
This is Aston, 4 rising 5, and his 3rd time jumping, hence defensive!!!
531763_3194717380981_1057329627_3035113_1893280367_n.jpg


544437_3228105575665_1057329627_3055057_1731258269_n.jpg


373977_3450303651546_1089374680_3356306_1551109672_n.jpg
= left behind, rein slip!!!

any advice welcome :)
 
astonsmummy said:
Pics = terrible, screen shotted videos!
This is Aston, 4 rising 5, and his 3rd time jumping, hence defensive!!!
any advice welcome :)
Click to expand...

First thing I notice is that you need to fold from the hip - I know how hard it is to take the leap of faith and trust a baby to go and jump, but even if you're not sure what he's going to do, fold and give, so it's a nice experience for him.

Another recommendation here for a neck strap (breastplate isn't the same btw - it's too far back to be useful in getting hands forward - should have said this at the start of this thread really!)

Not just the poster - but aimed at everyone. Another good exercise that you can do off the horse, is to stand on a stair or kerb on the balls of your feet, with the heels over the edge. Practice going into jump position, bum back, hands forward, shoulders down. It really makes you think about what a balanced jump seat should feel like! It also shows how important it is to look up. If you don't have your chin up,. it's twice as hard to balance!
 
Auslander said:
Another recommendation here for a neck strap (breastplate isn't the same btw - it's too far back to be useful in getting hands forward - should have said this at the start of this thread really!)
Click to expand...

I converted to a neckstrap for jumping rather than a breastplate after I made that realisation the other month - I just can't get my hands down / back enough to find a breastplate in an "oh ****" moment and it's not a natural or good place for me to put my hands as it messed up the rest of my position :cool:
 
great thread, it's a pet hate of mine too, and i have no idea why so many instructors ignore it... it really puts horses off jumping imho, causes all sorts of problems - back rail of oxers down etc.
how's this then? mare took a full stride out of a perfectly set related distance (approached from trot!), she'd been foot perfect with placing poles but when we took 1 away she misunderstood and hit the launch button too early, so we had a moment...
DSC_0503.jpg

this is more my usual style, not copybook by a long way, not enough stability in lower leg, but this one was tricky and my style went out of the window a bit when i tried to accommodate her! i do like to give the baby horses a bit of freedom in the air...
DSC_0024.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top