Tips for transitions while jumping, horse with sensitive mouth

[Quartz]

Right, OK I know we should not pull on the reins, but..... how do I control the transitions with my horse when jumping. Basically have new horse, have had for a couple of months now. He has competed showjumping and cross at level 7 (live in france so we have different galop exams, for example I am just galop 3). He jumps really well at canter, albeit a bit too fast. I am trying to learn to control his speed while jumping so today we did the typical beginner exercise of transitions. Where as we ask for canter in the corner before the jump, before we arrive at jump we ask for trot then jump, then stop, then trot, then canter jump, then stop. Oh my god!!! The problem is trying to slow down, so then I pull to which he fights almost rearing up (very sesitive mouth). Then asking to go again resulting in refusal at jump as have been pulling too much etc. Then me falling etc. etc. So........ how do I do these transitions but being gentle with the hands, but at the same time keeping reins short to jump with!!! Aghghghghghgh, so confusing. Also we did have to trot then stop a few feet from jump then go again, also resulting in either cat jumps or falling!!! However, if I ask just in canter its easy peasy, although not so easy to stop at the end. What to do, any tips please. Also find I am too far foward, so tips for keeping my position better also grateful. Thanks

 

[Caledonia]

It sounds like you need to establish your flatwork correctly before introducing jumping into the equation. Go back to basics, and work on transitions and rhythm in canter before you think about jumping again, otherwise you run the risk of souring what sounds like a fun horse.
Good luck!

 

[Quartz]

I know what you are saying, but with flatwork he does exactly as he is asked with just the different movements of my body, no pulling required. We can stop, canter, canter, stop, trot, stop, whatever I want to do easy. Its when he sees a jump, it all goes slightly wrong. He really is very good, but am worried about ruining his jumping abilities. Do you think I am somehow changing the way I control him, when I see a jump in anticipation of how I think he will react??

 

[scallywags]

If he's reacting that badly with rein pressure, you need to look at the issue his mouth. Have his teeth been rasped in the last 6 months? If not they need doing. If they have you need to change the bit. No horse should be thinking of rearing, in a down transistion.
What bit are you currently using?

 

[Caledonia]

It's possible it's you, but some horses do get very keen when they jump. How old is your horse? Is it you who thinks he's too fast, or is he too fast? What does your instructor think?

 

[4leggedfurries]

Sounds a bit like my horse, perfectly fine doing flat work but as soon as he sees jumps he turns into a loon. Mine goes exceptionally fast into jumps as well, but i've found lots of pole work & grid work helps. Also just having the jumps out and schooling round them (no jumping whatsoever) so that he gets used to them, then he doesnt get so excited when we do jump as they are always there.

 

[Quartz]

If he's reacting that badly with rein pressure, you need to look at the issue his mouth. Have his teeth been rasped in the last 6 months? If not they need doing. If they have you need to change the bit. No horse should be thinking of rearing, in a down transistion.
What bit are you currently using?

I am concerned about his teeth, and he is seeing the dentist next week. We are on our third bit now!! He is much better with the bit we are using now. He absolutely refused to put his last bit in his mouth (rubber). Now we have the snaffle but which is two metals and rolls. Hope that makes sense only now what its called in French!!! Yesterday he reared when I tried to mount him and slightly pulled the rein on his right over whilst mounting. I hope there is a tooth problem if not I am a bit lost as why he reacts like this!!

 

[Quartz]

It's possible it's you, but some horses do get very keen when they jump. How old is your horse? Is it you who thinks he's too fast, or is he too fast? What does your instructor think?

He is 6. He was competing at 5, but is now retired with me. I did want to compete with him but it looks like that may not be happening!! I really want to get this right as would love to be able to show off how good he is. My instructor has actually remarked on how he goes so fast towards jumps and she is constantly at the side going whooaa whooaa!! I have also tried lungeing him over a small jump to try to start to teach him to chill out over jumps, god he went like a lunatic!!! We will get there, just need tips and perseverance!!

 

[precious1]

Grid work is an excellent way of slowing horses down, they have to think so much so cant rush as much.
My mare rushes at jumps 100 miles an hour, i try and keep her steady half halting her in canter until we are 2 strides away then i leave her head and use my legs.
Although he rushes dont be fooled you will need to back him up with your legs a stride or two away otherwise they will stop.

 

[esselle]

Also just having the jumps out and schooling round them (no jumping whatsoever) so that he gets used to them, then he doesnt get so excited when we do jump as they are always there.

What a simple but wonderful idea! was reading the thread as our pony is jumping BSJA but is very hot headed around jumps and at home, our jumps are all generally tucked away until someone wants to jump... she only has to see them out and she thinks its play time and doesn't concentrate, so think I will get my daughter to try this too!

 

[Quartz]

Grid work is an excellent way of slowing horses down, they have to think so much so cant rush as much.
My mare rushes at jumps 100 miles an hour, i try and keep her steady half halting her in canter until we are 2 strides away then i leave her head and use my legs.
Although he rushes dont be fooled you will need to back him up with your legs a stride or two away otherwise they will stop.

Thats one of the many things I did wrong today, he rushed so I just assumed he would jump it and of course used no leg and he just stopped. Totally my fault of cause, cannot assume they will just jump for you. How long can someone have their reins when jumping? Do they have to be short or can you give more?

 

[Caledonia]

If he's retired at 6, what happened??
Horses often rush through panic, and tbh you sound like you need help on the ground to talk you through it. Your rein length should be what your horse needs, but with a horse like yours I would try to ride with something like closing my knee as a slowing aid. Whereabouts in France are you? If all your instructor can shout is whoaa, I think you need a new one....... are you near any of the big centres?

 

[Quartz]

I am in the SW France, near La Rochelle. I am thinking of keeping him my field over the summer and maybe getting some private training with someone else. I always propose before hand what I feel I need to work on etc. but we always end up doing something different and harder. I would like to work on basics really, position and yes how to jump with my new horse. Before I brought him I had been mainly riding large ponies so not really the same as my horse.

He retired at 6 due to going lame after several competitions. I have never seen any evidence of him being lame since I have had hiim. But then I don't push him like he was before. Hopefully he will stay sound!!!

 

[Jonnyjumper]

I know what you are saying, but with flatwork he does exactly as he is asked with just the different movements of my body, no pulling required. We can stop, canter, canter, stop, trot, stop, whatever I want to do easy. Its when he sees a jump, it all goes slightly wrong. He really is very good, but am worried about ruining his jumping abilities. Do you think I am somehow changing the way I control him, when I see a jump in anticipation of how I think he will react??

Instead of an entire transition try using half halts, but work them into every pace from the walk upwards. (If it doesn't work in walk, it won't work in any other pace). If you try this it will take time for them to be effective when you go out so think in terms of a couple of months rather than a couple of weeks.

Also it would be good to introduce poles on the ground into this exercise, but try not to do a half halt in front of the pole, the idea is to gain control and keep it before you approach the pole, not back him off it as this can result in a refusal (as you've already found out)

HTH