Big jumping problems!I need help!!!!!!!

[Cowgirl503]

:( I need help I want to teach my western horse to jump I've seen her jump and I know she can do it she's jumped over fences and stuff. The only thing is she will only jump in her western saddle which is okay since it's light wheight but still how do I get her to go over jumps? When she goes toward the jump she etheir slows down and walks over it and Knocks the rail down or she turns really fast and misses it. Maybe I shouldn't get here to jump since she is a western horse but I want to jump on her bad because I've done it before and it's a blast. I just need lot's of Advice and help.
-Cowgirl503
Proud owner of Dakota.
!**************************************************
In riding horses we borrow freedom:)

[jUmPingIsLifE]

you need to start out using ground poles. set up some troting poles approximatly 4-4.5feet apart(changes depending on your horses stride). and get her troting through them. than set up a SMALL cross rail and practice troting over it (not jumping, she may jump it but if she does just go with it). what you really need is someone experianced to help you out if at all possible. you didn't say how much jumping expiance you have but you need a good foundation, you need to be confident, know what to do, and know what your horse is going to do, if you don't know what you are doing than you can't really teach a horse to do it. you can't just point her at a jump and think she is going to jump, she doesn't know what to do.

[Cowgirl503]

I've already done trotting poles and going over small jumps. Still when ever we go towards it she skips it. Maybe it's becauses she's not use to jumps she only jumps over stuff on trails. Thanks though all try your advice again.I do have a little experience with jumping and I've read alot about it and my mom used to jump when she was my age.

[jUmPingIsLifE]

when you go to the jump try and pretend its not there, keep looking ahead and stay back don't get foward as you get closer to the that is alomst like saying "ok go around the jump" also RELAX if you are tensing up she could be getting scared because you are. just stay back and wait with your upper body than pop into your two point when she takes of, try and almost rider her to the base of the jump. stay very small until she gets the hang of what to do with her feet. when she runs out (goes around) don't let her get to the other side of the jump, make her stay on that side of the jump so she knows she isn't going that way unless its over the jump. goodluck!

[Shmon]

Jumping in a western saddle?? All I can say is....OUCH :eek:

I'm by no means a jumping expert, but I've ridden a few horses who run out on jumps or basically walk up to it and bunny-hop over. It sounds like she knows how to jump (you said she jumps stuff on the trails?) - she just sounds like she's nervous or confused (or she's running out because she CAN). If a horse runs out on a jump when I'm riding, it's because I made a mistake - either took a horrible line to the fence, didn't keep my leg on, or totally lost touch with his mouth. Any of the above combined with a horse who doesn't feel much like working = a runout or refusal.

If you've already done trotting poles, try setting up a few on the ground with a TINY crossrail at the end of the poles. How high are you jumping her, by the way? When training a horse to jump, you want to make sure you build up their confidence level and show them what they CAN do, not what they can't. Even if you can jump 4', you shouldn't expect a horse who's never jumped (arena) jumps to automatically be able to do a 2' course. Start SMALL. Tiny, even.

The best advice I can give you (from my limited experience) is to make sure you keep your leg ON all the way. If she's losing impulsion and slowing down, give her a smack or a kick! Let her know that her job is to go at that fence and jump it, not to slow down!! Make sure you're relaxed, staying with her and not getting ahead - as jumpingIsLife said, that's an invitation for many horses to run out or stop. Keep firm contact with her mouth, so that if she starts to turn you can immediately correct her. And training a horse to jump takes time - spend LOTS of time on cavaletti and tiny 1' crossrails to build up her confidence. And if you have them, try putting "wings" on the jump (basically a barrier perpendicular to the fence so that you have a little "alley" going to the jump - they'll have to bust through or hop over the barrier to get away from the jump!)

Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

[Cowgirl503]

Sorry that I didn't do any of your Ideas but I did it I actually jumped!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was a blast also it wasn't even over a jump I seted up a bunch of Hay bales and jumped over them and it was a blast I loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was really fun and easy. I think Dakota(My horse) Isn't used to jumps that's why she wouldn't jump over the jumps. But I love jumping over hay bales I jumped 5 times and she cleared all of them perfect!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think it was the funnist thing I've ever done. Thanks for your guys tips anyway. Talk to you later. Maybe I should change my horses name to Little miss Airborn.
Very proud owner of Dakota:) :) :) :) :)
P.S. Jumping in a western saddle doesn't hurt at all.

[jUmPingIsLifE]

how does it not hurt? i have jumped in a western saddle but only a little log and such, a hay bale would hurt though.

[Cowgirl503]

Originally posted by jUmPingIsLifE
how does it not hurt? i have jumped in a western saddle but only a little log and such, a hay bale would hurt though.
I just go in jumping postion and it's fine. I also land gentaly.

[Sudden_Impulse]

can I say something here?!?!?!?!??! Jumping in a western saddle? how are her withers? jumping in a western saddle can ruin and eventually kill the nerves in her withers. not a good Idea - also, before you start jumping, I suggest you barrow someones english saddle, and take a few english lessons. but if your just doing this for fun, then have fun, my only problem is I've jumped hay bales before - NOT a good Idea, my horse was lame for 3 months afterwards. thats why they used standards and poles, is because if they tip the jump, the pole can slide off of the standard, but the bale, if htey tip it, they can fall flat on their faces, because the bale isnt going to move with their hoofs. thats what happened to my horse, thank god she didnt break her leg!!
~Beth

[Cowgirl503]

Umm.. Just to tell you. I already have two english saddles. Also, i am not jumping over hay bales anymore I jump over real jumps. Also, I 've taken a lot of english lessons. My western saddle is light wheight and it ways about the same as a english saddle. I don't have any jumping problems now. I've just been working with her a lot. I only jump over small jumps so it won't kill her nerves. In trail classes they also jump over small jumps.

[GemTwisted]

I'm a strictly English rider (strictly novice, at that), but I've got to say from what I know of Western riding, it's kind of ridiculous to assume that someone would not be capable of jumping if they were a truly proficient rider (western, english, siberian, whatever). The biggest secret of jumping is how easy it is; the horse is doing all the work! You just have to stay on (get out of the saddle! Stay forward! Heels down!) and then work on "oneness" in all phases of the jump.
English riders tend to be such snobs in terms of equitation (myself included, I wouldn't be caught dead in a western saddle :p), but it's more about the tack and what you want to do in it than horsemanship (I'm a Hunter junky:)). However, I tend to wonder (like others) how the western saddle didn't/doesn't hurt?! If you're landing in front of the horn, you may be too far forward which would increase pressure on impact to the horse's front, if you're landing behind or over the horn... accidents do happen... that wouldn't be a very fun story to tell at an emergency room. If you're landing in/on the saddle, do your horse a favor and trick him into jumping in one of your English saddles. Ultimately, the horse may start refusing due to discomfort.
However, It's not clear whether you're still using the Western saddle, and if you are and you're confident that you and your horse are as safe and comfortable as possible... more power to you!
Peace on earth. Goodwill towards men. Happy Holidays!
Brian

[Cowgirl503]

BELIEVE!!!! I DON'T NEED ANYMORE JUMPING ADVICE. I know it may sound crazy that I jump in a western saddle but it's not bad. I really don't see the fuss. I am not mad don't worry. I will use my English saddle once I get a girth that works for it and a saddle pad that is better than the one I have now. I am going to take up english lessons soon.
:D Don't worry about the jumping any more.:D

[Cochise]

Originally posted by Shmon
Jumping in a western saddle?? All I can say is....OUCH :eek:


teehee hee
i agree with both the replies above and dont need to add anymore :)

[Cochise]

Is this a North American rider tiff? I just noticed that all contributers to this thread are American! Just interesting! :)

[NZhorserider]

Hehe, I've never done any western riding - holding a 27kg western saddle was enough to put me off!!!! No offense to you western riders though:)

[Emma_G_NZ]

Cochise, I know someone who jumps over barrels in a western, guess who ;) I dont think you even need to guess, hehe..
And all the kiddies follow her over in their english saddles- lol.
(Totally off topic, sorry!)

[Cochise]

Baaaaaaahhh hahahahaaaaar!!! I know just who you mean Em!! Lol she is a treasure really......:D
Ms West surely is hard as leather Im sure!

[NZhorserider]

Does anyone watch "McLeod's Daughters" ??

I couldn't quite tell, but it looked like Claire was jumping Brave J in a western saddle :p

[Mary Ann Bright]

NZ horse rider, i think they use Aussie stock saddles on Mcleod's daughters, not western saddles, but i have not seen an episode where Claire jumps, so maybe they did use a western saddle then.

:)

[NZhorserider]

hehe, lol, probably :D

[savannah1270]

don't jump in a western saddle! it may not hurt you, but it's very painful to the horse's back, because a heavy saddle like a western saddle is just not engineered for the type of flexibility and movement that jumping entails. she might be refusing/running out because of the pain she feels when she actually does jump.

if you are serious about jumping, you should get the help of someone who has experience with real jumping. your mother may have jumped when she was your age, but that was a long time ago, and she probably doesn't remember anymore!

riders first learning how to jump will undoubtably have difficulty learning to jump on school horses, because the movement is different. you will definitely have a difficult time, because you yourself are not used to the movement, and neither is your horse. that will make you tense, and this will translate to her, and neither of you will progress in jumping. you must have an experienced rider on her first, one that will know how to deal with her jumping fears and help her get through the bumps in training. meanwhile, you should have some jumping lessons on horses that are used to jumping, so you learn the correct movement and are ready for your horse by the time he is done with his training. it will be impossible for both you to learn together, one will end up getting hurt for sure. you might have the incorrect position, you might be thumping on her back when you land. it's never bad to ask for help.

oh, and i'm not from north america. ;)

[Cowgirl503]

Okay u guys!!!! I don't need any more jumping help. It's alright!!! I have a light wheight saddle!! If u didn't know in trail classes in western showing, people jump over stuff. I have to english saddles also one , jumping. I am not mad at anyone so don't take it wrong but don't worry. :D

[Corkey412]

Hey cowgirl503,

I love horses!!!Don't own 1 but want to!!!I LOVE Quarter horses 2.You own 1?Weshould stay in touch!!!I'd love to chat on the board w/ you!:DI won't give you advise because i don't own a horse but i have some dogs and cats.I'm starting riding again in the spring i hope!Well ttyl.

[Cowgirl503]

Corky 412: Do u want to be IM or e-mail pals? I also love horses and dogs. I'd love to chat with u. e-mail me at: Ava503@aol.com. On the place where u put the subject put: from Corky412 from New Rider. This is just so I know who u are I get a lot of junk mail. I also love QH's I own one!!! U can also IM me, my SN's are Cowgirlup11595 or Ava503. ttly