Tips for Jumping fitness .

[NW1]

(Grr I just wrote this all out then they changed the forum so it didn't post!!!!)

Here goes….

My boy is 6 years old & an 'athletic Maxi Cob (not a lazy porker!)

The problem:-

He loves jumping, we jump once a week, however after warm up, he will jump for around 15-20 minutes then loose his 'umph' just as the jumps get bigger & more interesting (& where we progress!), bless him! No matter what i try (giving rest periods, transitions etc - he just struggles with the fences) I do vary the jumps each session, either grid work, combinations of fences around the ménage, different styles of fences etc…

He is in good work 6 times a week – school to elementary, pole work, a passoa lunge, long hack at weekends etc, my point I think is that he is fit!

Jumping in the jump paddock in summer, he will jump grids of 3ft+ with ease for longer periods of time but I almost out that down to being in the open & doesn’t the warm weather make us all have more energy! Doing XC he will hare energetically round a decent course right until the end fence & clear them all with ease!

I know we are never going to be a Grade A show jumper but it would be nice to go out & do a few courses at a comp and not to be struggling over the last fence!

Does anyone have any ideas for exercises to do to give him more stamina for jumping!

Thanks in advance!

 

[teddyt]

At the end of the day he is a cob and you cant change genetics or physiology. He is not made for speed and stamina combined, like a TB eventer.

In the open he probably has more stamina because a confined space is harder work, so he uses up his energy quicker.

Consider that he may have reached his limit of ability when you jump. Single fences in the open he may be able to manage but courses or grids in a confined space may be too difficult.

Other than that you just need to train him progressively but dont over train. Make sure he is fed appropriately and that his tack fits and you as a rider are helping him by being as balanced as posssible. Hacking is a great way to improve stamina and fitness.