jumping...

[FreedomStar]

Ok, I've got a really big problem with jumping. I can jump perfect, coming in at a canter. Literally. I can judge the distance perfectly. The bad thing is, I CAN'T at the trot. I simply cannot trot jumps. I can't judge the take off point, and I just CAN'T jump from a trot. Is it just me, or do other people have this problem? I REALLY want to be able to jump comfortably from a trot, because it's important to me (don't ask why) but I just can't seem to judge the distance correctly.

[kedwards]

I think I know what you mean. It can be a little easier to feel the timing in the canter approach. Is it possible, though, that your trying so hard to anticipate the takeoff that you aren't letting yourself just naturally fold with the horse? When I find myself doing that (the symptom for me is jumping ahead of the horse), my instructor has me close my eyes on the approach and focus on just going with the horse. I also find that gymnastics help. At trot, you don't need to worry about striding and judging distances, so you can focus on letting the horse do his thing, while you can just focus on feeling his movements and going with him.

[Shmon]

How high are the fences you're trotting? Usually trot fences are fairly small fences. I find if I'm schooling little tiny crossrails or 2' verticals, I can't see a distance to save my life - I just let the horse do it for me :) But when those jumps go up to the 3' range, the distances suddenly appear! I know a lot of people that have trouble jumping smaller fences, since they tend to think it's like a bigger fence and either jump ahead or drop the horse at the base! I'm definitely one that makes more of a movement than I need to.

Also, in trotting a fence, try just getting in a 2-point a few strides out and don't move (just keep your leg on and don't forget to steer!). :) Your horse will probably judge the takeoff spot just fine if you're trotting in!

[jUmPingIsLifE]

i can get my distances troting BUT its still harder overall for me to come into jumps troting, expecailly posting i jump ahead sometimes, cantering i don't do it as much. i feel much more comfy cantering hehe

[FreedomStar]

Ok, but how do I make myself forget about trotting strides and just go naturally? It's so much more relaxing for me, because I know exactly where and when the horse will take off. Like, three strides in front, I can tell if we're gonna jump early, too late, or what. I just don't have that same feeling with trot. Trotting, we've done maybe 2'3" crossbar oxers.

[horsemad]

Looks like I'm the odd one out here because I find it easier to jump from trot rather than canter! For some reason I can judge the take off point more easily from trot - don't know why this is....

[NIKKI YOUNG]

The art to trotting is relax and fell the horse beneth you.
jumping from a trot is great schooling for both horse and rider as it encourages control and togetherness! however jumping more than 2ft 6" at a trot takes time and patiance, the trot is a much shorter stride than the canter wich is why people find it more difficult to judg distances, but it is easier for the horse to jump from a trot due to this reason. I find the best way is to sit quietly and agree with the horse when it wishes to take of, if there is any uncertanty you will both get it wrong and break the togethernes!!!!!
Good luck with n dont give up!x:) :)

[FreedomStar]

I'm not trying to tell the horse when to take off, I'm trying to figure off where he'll take off. It's hard. I just...I don't have natural 'trotting into jumps' instinct.

[jUmPingIsLifE]

you can try counting into the jump as you trot "one two one two one two" if you are jumping a head troting you can do a sitting trot in.

[FreedomStar]

hmm, thanks JumpingIsLife, I'll try at my lesson on saturday. anyone else? I'm open to any other suggestions, so come forward! (I'm actually very desperate for help, as I am a riding perfectionist)

[Dragoon]

One thing that works well is adjusting the trot stride before the fence. One problem you may be having is that you're coming in a bit too quick to the fence, or letting the horse get "strung out."

Set up one trotting fence and practice the following :) :

First, pick up a forward working trot around the corner. Get the horse off your leg and responsive to your aids. Continue to do so down the approach to the fence as well, looking up and over the jump. About 10 meters or so in front of the fence, half-halt and ask the horse to shorten his stride a little bit. Remain tall and always look up over the fence. Trust me, if you look down at the jump, you won't find your distance!

Shortening the stride gives you a bit more control of the take off spot. I found that it works for me, keeps the horse listening and collected. Give it a shot :) .

[Tumbleweed]

It sounds as if you are worrying too much and are tense because of it. You need to feel what you horse is doing, and you will feel when he is going to take off.

Feel is progressive, can you feel when the hind legs come under him in walk and trot and tell someone which leg it is. A lot of riding is feeling what your horse is doing underneath you and most people have to learn this.

When you are trotting into a jump, think of the person you hate the most and they are upside down in a water butt, this should relax you enough to follow the horse over the jump. Or you can recite nursery rhymes.

[Shiny McShine]

I find in approaching jumps from trot the rhythm of the trot is very important so sometimes placing trotting poles before the jump can help.

Also I think I takes a fair bit of practice to make sure your position is not forced when jumping from trot. The rising trot is especially hard because you are already bringing yourself out of the saddle and if you take off as you are changing position that is hard.

It usually is easier to approach in the light seat, because as I mentioned the rising trot is difficult and in sitting trot it can be difficult to get enough speed going while remaining comfortable.

[FreedomStar]

thank you everyone so much for your suggestions. I will ask my instructor to please let us work on trotting jumps tomorrow. bless y'all.

[theresamac]

If I don't achieve a good going trot with my horse towards the jump, then I often get the timing wrong.
I have to get a good trot in order to make the jump smooth.
Just a thought.............

[Dressage_Luvr]

Hey,

about approaching in a light seat/half seat/two point,

i really wouldnt try that, unless you know for sure that the horse wont run out.

like, when youre watching show jumping or cross sountry on Tv, they sometimes go in a two point around the course, but always sit, and drive the hrose towards the jump when they get closer to the jump.

if u approach in a two point, there is more chance for the hrose to run out, and if he did, there would be more chance of u falling off.

good luck tho,

i havent had too much trouble in approaching at trot, because with the last horse i rode, she was green, so we almost always did it at trot, u still have to feel for where theyre going to take off, and dont lean forward too early and drop them, or else, sometimes little ponies take that chance to run out! lol, i know the type!!!

[FreedomStar]

thanks everyone so much. I have a lesson today, and we probably are going to do some jumping. I will try all these suggestions!!! Thanks!
~Freedom