Baby Jumps and no Lessons on Jumping

[jenmac_85]

Dont everyone shout at me at once lol

Tyler was trained is Dressage when I bought him, but I am desperate to work my way into show-jumping. I was having lessons but after I got a job that involved working on Sunday I have been unable to continue them. Decided about 2 weeks ago (or something like that) to set up some baby jumps and see what happened. Tyler seemed to be more than happy to jump them and kept going back over them without being asked.

Now here comes the problem, I dont really have any expereince jumping. I know I dont hold on to his mouth as I tend to let him have the reins, and hope for the best. Nik-n-Kia took me down to her school for a lesson on jumping and to see how Tyler went. Went really well (even though Tyler thought he was down there to gallop about like a muppet and mow the lawn for her!!!!!)

I dont intend to do jumps every night or even week, but last night we went over a small course of jumps that someone had left out in the riding field. Went really well and Tyler seemed to enjoy it.

Does anyone see any real harm in doing this if I havent been trained to jump properly? He very rarely refuses a jump (only happened twice with me) and that was due to the fact they were sligthly bigger than usual.

Jenny and Tyler
x

[coyote]

oh bless.as long as you both are happy and no body is getting hurt,i see no harm and if the time becomes available to have a few lessons ,then have some ,but for now enjoy!!:D:D

[Daffy Dilly]

I only started having jumping lessons in September, and even then I haven't had many. As long as you a) don't catch him in the mouth and b) stay on, don't worry about it. Even with my jumping lessons we still need quite a bit of fine tuning.

I think the best thing you could do, is to keep at it. Find a jump at a height you're comfortable with, and go over it several times on each rein. See if you can count down the strides on the approach, and try to learn to see/feel the takeoff point. For me it's only coming with a lot of practise, and it means I don't get left behind or risk catching him in the mouth. I'm not sure any instructor can teach you that properly, from what I've done, it's a practise-practise-practise thing.

[MajorityRules]

I dont see a problem with you jumping without lessons. As long as you arent catching his mouth all the time.

Heck, i've jumped 3'4" and I've only had 3 riding lessons in the 5 or 6 years i've been riding!