Starting to jump...

[Roxy Sew]

My pony is about 6 and last year we started to do some jumping. Now is very honest and always jumps the jumps, whatever it is, however doesn't have much impulsion. I can get her going nice and forward going up to the jump, but then she kind of stops, jumps it two times higher than it is and then canters off again! lol She can jump quite a height, just lacks the impulsion. Any ideas how I can try to teach her to be more forward going?:confused:

[China515]

Well before you approach a jump, you should establish a good pace that you want to jump from. You should try carrying a crop and if she backs off in front of the fence, give her a tap behind your leg.

[KateWooten]

I think this is fairly normal for a youngster just figuring out their balance and striding. What I've been doing with joe, is putting a crosspole at a low height and cantering him in big circles over it, round in a big lazy circle and over it again ... keeping the momentum going and not doing anything to get in his way - just letting him get on with it and sort it out. Something about the rhythm of it makes it easier to relax .. it gets more flowing and then he's more able to jump it from wherever he arrives at the jump, rather than doing the little stop, adjust, jump thing.

[mayoguinness]

Yep. My horse is 13 and still lacks compulsion. I find my savvy string (or a very short length of rope) when they are going a little to slow helps if you just give it a tap across your shoulders. Seems to work very well with my boy. Though as my instucter (Jayne Lavnder) says you can never get it perfect constantly. One day they'll be to slow the next to fast and then you'll get the true compulsion your looking for but you cant expect it to last;)

[Roxy Sew]

I find my savvy string (or a very short length of rope) when they are going a little to slow helps if you just give it a tap across your shoulders.
Thats an interesting idea! So would I tap is across my own shoulders? Hopefully when the summer comes, I will be able to do more work with her and she if she improves!
Thanks everyone for your comments, I will try them out next time I have the chance to jump her. With all of this stupid rain however the field is saturated and so will have to wait until I can get her to a school :o

[Ms Kitty]

KateWooten just described the way I have taught all my horses for jumping. When they find their natural footing in the smaller fences it is easier for them to keep the compulsion going on the higher ones, and the change should be done with small steps so not going straight from 1 foot to 3 feet. It does take a while, but I think in the end it brings good results.

Nina x

[Cabbitt]

He he... what you describe is *EXACTLY* how my horse was when he learned to jump!! There's a learning curve... your horse will figure it out!! What your describing is "propping", which is usually done when the horse takes off too close to the jump, but can also just be a sign of inexperience. He'll figure it out. I wonder, does your horse have a longer back? It seems like horses with longer backs tend to prop more when learning.

Try using placing rails, first before, and then before and after the jump. This will encourage your horse to round and use himself better. Also, make sure you have *impulsion*, NOT speed. Impulsion is when the horse is using himself and can actually be going quite slow... THAT'S what you want. Some people "run" their horses at the fence without any true collection, which makes jumping much more awkward for the horse.

[Roxy Sew]

I wonder, does your horse have a longer back? It seems like horses with longer backs tend to prop more when learning.

Try using placing rails, first before, and then before and after the jump. This will encourage your horse to round and use himself better. Also, make sure you have *impulsion*, NOT speed. Impulsion is when the horse is using himself and can actually be going quite slow... THAT'S what you want. Some people "run" their horses at the fence without any true collection, which makes jumping much more awkward for the horse.

No my horse actually has quite a short back, and is quite compact. Like you say I'm sure she'll figure it out, I supose practise makes perfect! The poles on the ground sounds to be good, might make her realise where her feet are! lol