Youngster jumping sideways

[6103claire]

Have jumped my four year old mare today, i dont jump her all that much but occasionally she jumps to the side and flicks her legs to the left. This even happens if i keep her straight. She has done it on a couple of sessions before but doesnt seem to do it every time and didnt always do it over every jump today. It really throws you off balance. Has anyone else had this problem? I tried using cross jumps to get her more central but it didnt seem to make that much difference.

I think she has changed shape a bit recently as her saddle is shifting slightly to the right and i am wondering if this has anything to do with it?

It is a synthetic saddle so i could try changing the gullet to a slightly different size. Any one any ideas?

 

[KatB]

Get her back and saddle checked. If it is slipping one way, and she is twisting the other, absolutely yells out inbalance somewhere, so get a back specialist out to check her.

 

[Elmere]

Loads of showjumpers do it, are you the only one thats owned her in the past?
They aren't made to jump at 4 anyway!

 

[6103claire]

What do you mean loads of show jumpers do it? Twist when they jump? I agree 4 is young to be jumping regularly, but i am talking jumping a couple of times a month for a short time and nothing very big.

 

[6103claire]

Yeh thats what i thought about back and saddle, it cant be any good doing that, i'm going to sort it this week. thanks

 

[Elmere]

Alot flick their legs to the side, some naturally, some due to certain methods, which i why i was asking whether anyone had owned her before you!

 

[6103claire]

Oh right! i got her in august and i got her from the lady who bred her. she was backed and turned away last year, and had done about 8 weekis learning when i got her. she is nearly 5 now. i dont think that it is the way she jumps naturally because she doesnt do it over every jump and not in every session. i suppose she may just grow out of it as she gets older but i dont want it becoming habit as its really uncomfortable and throws you to the side! i am going to get her back and saddle checked ASAP to see if thats ok.

 

[KatB]

No probs, good luck with it. After that, if everything is ok, try loadsa grids with A frames to eep her central, and keep things small so shes is going forward and being encouraged straight. Think it sounds like a back thing though.

 

[6103claire]

i know, she was uneven slightly over her shoulders when i got her. have been trying to build it up but its not as easy as you think. will get the back lady this week, its better to sort it sooner rather than later if it is that. thanks alot

 

[samsaccount]

I was told that some horses who do not have a lot of scope will do that in order to make jumping easier. I would suggest putting up a small fence and using an a frame, as it may encourage her to keep herself centeral, it may work.

good luck with her

 

[6103claire]

i have heard that before too, but i dont think thats her problem, she jumped the electric fence to get to her favourite mud patch from one stride away the other week with no effort at all! she jumped it straitght too, i might see if i could jump he over a small fence on the lunge or loose to see if she does it then? if she doesnt then it must be something to do with the saddle, thanks