Jumping help - - -

[horse_fever101]

I've been riding for about 4 monthes, and my teacher is going to start me jumping this winter. Can people please give me some tips?
Thank you - - - -

[Colorado Sunset]

Just have a go!! :)

You cant really explain how to jump without you on a horse, but your teacher will help you all the way, youll only start small and if you enjoy it youll progress!!

Sorry, very useless this was, but have fun, i love it and im sure you will to!! :)

Jo

[oliver twist]

i just started jumping to! it's VERY exciting. really, there's no advice i can give you, but just give it a go. i'm sure your instructor will help you out. HAVE FUN!!!!! :D

[horse_fever101]

I'm so scared! i hear all these stories about peopel flipping over and stuff! It's it scary??? Well, to be honest, I was scared of trotting at first, adn cantering when I furst started too :D so I guess you have to just get used to things, adn they become automatic...

[Kea]

It is scary and exciting. I just started jumping lessons 2 weeks ago. I think the hardest thing is to keep looking toward your next jump or straight ahead over the jump - not down - and also to let the horse have his head. If you are taking lessons on a trained horse, he knows what to do and you just have relax into his rythym and let him go for it. :p

[shaka]

Originally posted by horse_fever101
I'm so scared! i hear all these stories about peopel flipping over and stuff! It's it scary??? Well, to be honest, I was scared of trotting at first, adn cantering when I furst started too :D so I guess you have to just get used to things, adn they become automatic...

That won't happen to you, you're instructor won't let it happen! Accidents happen, it's part and parcel with riding but your instructor will put you on a safe horse and shouldn't let you do anything to dent your confidence.

Just go out there and enjoy it. Your instructor wouldn't let you if s/he didn't think you were ready. Just keep your head up and smile and remember to breath. Breathing sounds sucha simple thing, but if you get nervous you breath difefrently, whcih makes you tense up, which makes your reactions slower etc. Hold onto the mane for security and just keep your head up.

Neither your instructor nor your horse will let you fall. Relax and enjoy the ride. It can seem scary at first, like trotting or cantering for the first time was, but once you relax you will enjoy it.

Have a good ride and don't forget to tell us how you get on!

[canadianbeaver]

good luck, and remember if you're scared at all hold onto the MANE not the REINS! :D

[horse_fever101]

Thanks so much! We started trotting over some x-rails yesterday. I really enjoyed it.
thanx:D

[horsehelp]

coll! i love jumping...

[PromiseMe]

OK...since you ARE asking for tips...here are some :)

-GRAB MANE!!! Definitely - i see all these beginners jump and grab their horses by their mouths and all...those poor horses getting punished for doing the right thing. I caught the horse by hismouth the first time i jumped as well! So grab mane and dont punish your horsey.

-keep those heels DOWN...sink all your weight into them...keep them LOW. And don't grip with your knee...you'll end up making that you pivot point and you'll lose yoru stirrup and all.

Lastly...
HAVE FUN! :) Enjoy it! You'll LOVE IT! relax...adn go with your hrose :)

[Dummer&Drummer]

to add to promise me's comments dont grip with your knees but try to keep them in and not let them swing out when jumping

keep your head up and look ahead, lean back approaching the jump

get your bum out of the saddle :) your instructor should count you in for this

keep your hands down when landing, holding a piece of mane will help this as well

your horse will sort the rest out for you

most importantly just enjoy it, it is great fun :)

(i stay real focused when jumping, mainly cos i love it and i get loads of adrenaline, it is never a question of can jump this, or can i do this?
we ARE DEFINATELY going to jump this jump together, it is never a question that we cant do this, i think that helps :-)

i fall off sometimes when jumping, but i never look back at my lessons always look forward and try not to take any vices from one bad lesson on to the next one, learn and always try and do better, but never look back :)