When do you think horses should start jumping....

Nightmare before Christmas

Nightmare before Christmas

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I saw a debate on a FB page started by someone posting a picture of someone jumping their 3 year old a small X pole.

Made me think, what age do you think horses should start jumping?

Both lose and under saddle?

I know my views :)
 
How do you stop them? My foal was two days old, on his second outing into the big wide world of the woodchip area when he went bombing around and found a feedbowl in his way and jumped it. He's now nearly three weeks old and whilst there are no "jumps" for him he spends much of his time leaping in the air, spinning and twisting and reaching alarming heights and he has intentionally jumped chickens and his mother whilst she was lying down.
 
Awww sounds a keen foal!

I have no worries about horses jumping. Ive losed 2 year olds upwards. No problems with them jumping a grades or age classes! I was going to jump the 4 year olds at scope this year but my horse has grown too fast and been rather sore and is now not ready to jump it.

I just wanted to hear other people opinions. Some people on facebook have been saying horses shouldnt jump till 6 or 7. This is very different to my own opinion so thought I was ask the forum there views :)
 
personally I wouldn`t jump a horse before the age of 4 under saddle... but would be happy to loose jump a 2-3 year old, but it would also depend on when I felt the individual was ready and happy to do so.
 
my now 4yo has been jumped loose since 3 and under saddle since 4. My showjumping bred 2yo jumped a 3ft spread at the age of 6 months...just because it was out in the school when he was turned out. He'll loose jump lightly from now til 4 and hopefully under saddle from there.
 
Tell my 2 year old not to jump gates or anything he can find lol -_-

But in all serious, there's a difference between popping some little things every now and then, to having it in 'full time' jumping work.

Done in moderation to the horse, I'm sure there's no dire detriment tbh. Old ex-grand prix horse we had was 24 and could still do 5ft+ courses in his sleep and not have a stiff day :)
 
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In terms of asking them usually winter after there 4 to do raised poles & small cross poles, spring they are 5 really for uprights & proper jump training. Not because I think its physically detrimental to do the odd one, but I like a good standard of flatwork before complicating things with jumps. I might pop small stuff whilst out & about before that, but I also don't do much before 4, & like them to have a canter suitable for novice dressage. And I find in all things, good basics initially mean the horse has a better chance of fulfilling its potential in life. I have never produced youngsters for international jumping so never seen a need to loose jump before that myself.
 
foal_jump.jpg


Too soon? :p
 
Just got back to this, been disinfecting stables while watching cosford air show fly over!

You all seem a little more level headed than those on facebook! I will lose jump from 2 and keep it small and simple (at the end of the day I just want an idea)

I just small jumps under saddle at 3 (depending on the horse again to get an idea)
and I start jumping training shows ect at 4 and will jump the 4 year olds if ready and go from there really!

Cute foal by the way haha That has made me chuckle despite being wet from rain and verkon!
 
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