Running Out

[Lis]

ANY IDEAS HOW TO STOP MY LITTLE SISTERS 12.2 HH PONY FROM RUNNING OUT

ANY IDEAS GREATLY APPRICIATED AS WE HAVE 2 WEEKS TO SORT THIS PROBLEM BEFORE HER CLEAR ROUND SHOW.

[maverick927]

Put as pole out from the side of the jump where she runs out. I usually raise it to the same height so that even if the pony pulls out, he still has to jump, which make the pony see the exercise pointless.

[jUmPingIsLifE]

is your horse getting crocked before he gets to the jump. if so he may be setting a trap. sometimes a horse will get crocked before a jump and the rider will get pulling on one rein totally letting teh horse run out. steer with BOTH reins, all pulling on one will acomplish is maybe pulling the head around to your knee, the body will still go the other way. also use A LOT of leg to steer. you can also put up poles on the sides of the jumps to help, if you feel your horse is going to run out slow to a trot so you have more control? slow right down to a walk if the fences are under 3'. (ane kursinsky (sp?), jumps 5' from a walk).show the horse who is boss and that he IS going over that jump :)

[FreedomStar]

As JumpingIsLife says, you must steer with both reins. Put up some poles on both sides, or back one side against the railing. If this doesn't work, have someone stand to the side your horse runs out. Say your horse runs out to the right. Then bring your right rein back towards your hip, and hold it there. This is trapping her right shoulder, so she cannot go that way. Keep your leg closed around your pony to keep her from running out. If neccesary, swith your crop to the hand on the side that the pony runs out on.

[Dace]

Sometimes the trick is approach the jump in a very straight line. Make sure that you turn the horse towards the jump when you have long enough distance to see the jump and make sure the horse goes completely straight and use your legs to keep it so. Otherwise when you start steering on approach like now a bit to the left and again a bit right and so on, horse gets confused, looses rhythm and thinks that going from one side to another is a good idea until he misses the jump.

[welsh_mountain]

Get her to be obedient and going to your voice. This way she will respond without you having to yank her back teeth out! After you have jumped the fence I suggest you tell her whooooahh quietly and gradually you should aim so that she just goes back to walk after the fence. My youngster used to does the same thing, he now will stop dead when I ask. The main thing is to keep it all quiet and relaxed, I know its hard when they are tanking off but she must learn to respect you. Basically its general education, when she does start to come back to you pat her and make much of her.Also do as much as you can to keep her straight after the fence and make sure that you are straight on approach . If she is a quick learner then she will pick this up quite quickly. All the top showjumpers can jump a huge fence and a couple of strides after they are back in walk. I know you may want to work on fluency but try this and see how you get on.
How is she working on the flat and does she throw her head up atall? Have you tried grids?
Sorry if this is usless advice! lol!

[TheMoose]

Have you had her back teeth etc done? Saddle checked?
If everyting is in order the i would advise as said before to put up a pole either side of the fence. If she uses a whip then put it on the side that the pony runsout on. Make sure she is sitting up and has her legs around the pony. I would also advise doing somesmall grid work to get the pony flowing and confident over small fences. Speed is not the answer. Ponies that stop/run out are little poos and can ruin confidence (trust me I know).

[Lucy J]

a lot of the time running out is a rider problem. but turning into the jump with only a few strides to go can help because pony has no time to run out.

possibly practice with rider on board while lunging?

[TheMoose]

Ok i have a simpler answer just don't go to the show. Any problems you have will only be magnified and everyone will be around to see. Sort it out at home first before you go any further.

[rocketman]

I think your main problem is as you already stated: "little sister" and "12.2 pony". She must be quite a small, young child on such a small pony. Little ponies get away with murder since they're invariably ridden by inexperienced little kids.

I suggest you have a lightweight and experienced adult get on the pony and school it, so it doesn't get away with running out. Instill some good habits in the pony first, then work with your sister. She needs to keep her upper body back in a position of strength on the approach to each fence, only leaning forward as the pony takes off. If the rider leans forward too soon in the two-point hunter position (or Pony Club prescribed jumping position), she becomes a passenger and too reliant on the pony jumping for her. Getting ahead of the movement of the horse causes more refusals and run outs than any other mistake.

The pony needs to be taught to be more honest and do its job and your sister needs to learn to keep the pony between her hands and legs and sit back.

This can probably not be accomplished in time for your show. Perhaps your sister should just do some flat classes this time and work out the jumping problems at home with some instruction.