Quartz
Well-Known Member
I have had lots of problems jumping my horse. Its has got slightly better as I have become more confident and better balanced. However, he is a great jumper thats for sure, but the only way I can describe it is he feels really tense coming up to the jump. I have been told to keep a tight contact on his mouth otherwise he goes full belt at it, but this seems to just get his head up and make him more anxious. We end up approaching in a tense trot, as if he is unsure, head up and then take off at last minute (like a cat jump) very uncomfy and then darts off after the jump, I can now regain control after the jump and get him soft again until he sees the next jump. My instructor is dead certain on going straight to the jump no circles to soften him up, so need straight tips please. Also do put poles on the ground before the jump to stop the rushing, but this is making him hesitant.
Have read that sponging the outside rein instead of both can help control the speed, but its either rushing full blast or very slow and unsteady!!! Also he puts head up before jump and then then very down after jump.
Really tips for softening him up and maybe getting his confidence. As I said he is actually a superb jumper, but the problems have come from when I first got him and was very nervous. Have done loads of pole work on the ground, he is very soft and no problems there. Then a tiny cross again very soft and no problems.
Thank you!!!
Have read that sponging the outside rein instead of both can help control the speed, but its either rushing full blast or very slow and unsteady!!! Also he puts head up before jump and then then very down after jump.
Really tips for softening him up and maybe getting his confidence. As I said he is actually a superb jumper, but the problems have come from when I first got him and was very nervous. Have done loads of pole work on the ground, he is very soft and no problems there. Then a tiny cross again very soft and no problems.
Thank you!!!