What age did you start jumping your horse?

[Tiarella]

I'm sure this question has been asked many times before - sorry!

Just a bit of background info...
My Connemara came over from Ireland in August to be brought on by pro eventers. Between then and me buying him from eventers in November he had team chased/hunted and brought him on so correctly.
I bought him as a 4yo in November but he is now 5(10th April). He was very weak behind, could barely stand up when picking feet out and sometimes even looked like he had wobblers 😳 He does also have slightly sloping fetlocks behind and this was very noticeable when I first bought him (my vet wasn't concerned). I brought him back to real basics and from November till now I've hacked, long reined, done ground work - mostly all in walk. I've introduced schooling 1/2 times a week and interval training 2 times a week over the past month. He now looks almost 'strong' and my chiro, saddle fitter and barefoot trimmer have all said he looks a completely different horse! He rarely stands tucked under - that's when his fetlocks were most noticeable and the angles in his hind feet have changed dramatically.

So basically, when is the right time to start introducing some jumping/gridwork?!
(Talking max 80cm...lol)

I will post some pics one day

 

[Starbucks]

He perhaps just got a bit weak from all the hard work of hunting etc. When he was only a baby. You might find he's actually quite established with his jumping already.. I don't see why you wouldn't start now?

 

[Tiarella]

He perhaps just got a bit weak from all the hard work of hunting etc. When he was only a baby. You might find he's actually quite established with his jumping already.. I don't see why you wouldn't start now?

Thanks Starbucks. I should imagine he knows exactly what he is doing, he is a very confident none spooky pony. I'm just undecided whether he is physically established enough, whether grids will help build his strength, or hinder it etc. He is my horse for life and after my track record of breaking every horse I've had I like this one and want to preserve him lol!

 

[Starbucks]

Thanks Starbucks. I should imagine he knows exactly what he is doing, he is a very confident none spooky pony. I'm just undecided whether he is physically established enough, whether grids will help build his strength, or hinder it etc. He is my horse for life and after my track record of breaking every horse I've had I like this one and want to preserve him lol!

I'm sure if he survived all his hunted and team chasing, he will be fine. Just take it steady to start with and don't over do it.

 

[be positive]

I would start to introduce some very basic educational polework, tiny grids as soon as you feel ready, I never make a big deal about jumping young horses they often get a pop at the end of a schooling session, in my view it is best to do little and often, just 3 or 4 jumps, a couple of times down a simple 2 fence grid is often plenty in one go as long as they do it well, finish before they get bored, tired or you overdo things trying to get even even better, that way you can do some once or twice a week without too much stress on them or it becoming something exciting and needing to do too much in order for them to concentrate properly and gain any benefit.

 

[Goldenstar]

I would start pole work and grid work now .
Jumps don't need to be big to teach horses how to use themselves .

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

Agree with above, buy 101 jump exercises and work thru them, it will teach you to deal with everything without heights, horse has still lots to learn at that age.
Keep on with hill work at trot [both reins] and steady canter

 

[Tiarella]

Thanks everyone - some really great ideas! I'm not sure why I feel like it needs to be a 'big thing' as popping a couple at the end and doing a few small grids here and there will really help just wasn't sure wether to wait another 6 months or start now.