Youngster rushing fences

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Torryvald

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I am posting this on behalf of my computer illerate friend!! Her youngster has started getting into the habit of rushing fences. She doesn't always do it (conveniently she didn't during her last session with her instructor!) but she is starting to do it more often.

We have tried more grid work and trotting poles, but it is not really helping. She doesn't want this to become an issue so she asked me to put it out there to all you horsey people to get your opinions....

Her mare is rising 5 and is ridden in a french link. The jumps aren't big mainly 2'3 and 2'6.

Thanks
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Hi, without knowing your friend's abilities etc I would say don't jump without an instructor and work on obedience on the flat. There might be something your friend does that scares/excites her young horse and since there is no rushing under the instructor's guidance it might be good to jump only in her/his presence for a while.
Good luck
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Thanks Sapphire_girl. She is fairly experienced and has owned horses and ridden all her life, but this is her first baby horse. You may be on to something there, it is a critical time on her training so she probably is best to wait until our instructor is there. She is going amazingly on the flat and has just got a new saddle fitted and teeth done etc, so it maybe is rider error!
 
I would say it is usually a 99.9% chance it is a rider error
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If she is a decent flatwork rider than she could play with poles - canter rhythm, trot, walk etc (just spread them around the arena with someone on the ground to sort the distances if poles get knocked).
Rushing might be caused by something really minor in theory - like slightly higher tension in her thighs or lower legs on the approach to jump, maybe fingers' on the reins - but youngsters are such barometers, they pick up on everything.

Changing gear in canter is something I personally quite like. I would canter in a working canter (youngster version) around the arena (or out hacking) and would ask for a few extended strides, then back to working canter. This challenges obedience so you do need to be gentle but firm.

Bringing young horses might not be the easiest of tasks but it's so rewarding if all goes well
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Thank you so much, I will print out your response for her. It has been an amazing journey so far, but we want to do everything we can not to spoil this girl!!
 
Just to add - with trotting poles - just put one or two to start with and make absolutely sure you have the distance right (not by the book but what looks like it suits the stride) and just go over it many many times until she does it without changing the rhythm (obviously you won't ask for too mcuh extra balance but I am sure you will know what I mean).
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sorry to stick my nose in but my boy started doing this in my lesson last night - it was freakish as normally in the sand arena he acts as if there's lead on his feet & is quite hard work - last night it was like someone stuck a rocket up his bum...(it was a very entertaining lesson TBH - me, the instructor & the other two in the lesson all scratching our heads & wondering who this mad horse was.....)
Three factors that might have done this crossed my mind....

1. New saddle since Friday, first night to jump in it in the arena - it's close contact could that be magnifying my seat aids unbeknownst to me & making him rush???
2. Well had a bit of a tumble xcountry on Monday....he got a bit of a fright & I was subconciously overcompensating...(see above)
3. He's still a bit high from the speed & excitement of xcountry & just needs to chiull out...
(sorry again for hijacking TV!)
 
You're not sticking your nose in at all!! Thank you for posting. My friend has just got a new saddle so that could well have had an affect. She has also just been jump cross training. i do think it is likely though that maybe she is influencing the horse without realising it. It is prob best to bring in some expert help before it becomes an issue.

thanks again!
 
I think she should get a lot more lessons to sort this asap. A young horse shouldnt really be rushing as there's no reason for it, especially when they've just started. Maybe the jump cross training hasnt helped, it depends how fast she was approaching the fences - in usual jump cross its pretty fast. If I was her, I would be keeping everything small and CALM right now! No galloping about!
 
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