How Can I Get My Horse To Jump Instead Of Crashing Threw Them!!??

[CrazyMare]

How can I get my clumsy cob to tuck his feet up and JUMP the jump instead of just ploughing threw it and knocking it down(tripping him self up at the same time! :rolleyes: ) I have done pole work with him, sometimes he picks his feet up real nice , other times he will fall over them or clank them as he walks over them, I had 3 poles spaced about 4ft apart on the ground, I then set up a cross bar about 1ft high and (I,m on the ground leading him by the way, to risky to ride him at ther moment!) then I get him in a brisk trott towards It, he goes over it , or rather through it , and trips over all the poles that he's knocked down!! he won't jump it. I think he did one little jump over once without knocking them but ever since he's been a nightmare! any thing I can put down thats more solid, hay or straw bale would be ok as its firm and soft but its a little to tall for his first jump, isn't it? :confused:

[NoviceNic]

If I put a 1ft jump up Captain will just knock it over. So will his other cob friend. They are both just starting in their jumping careers. Try 1 1/2 ft see if this will make a diference..

[Tnavas]

Hi There, Going to ask a heap of questions.
How old is your horse?
If he is young he may not have really learnt the ground work well enough to start jumping. Try spacing the poles further apart,
How experienced are you?
Are you able to keep him straight and in an even rythym, and follow well with your hands as he stretches down.
Have you ever seen him jump with someone else?
If not ask someone you trust to take him over a jump.
How fit is he?
If unfit he may find lifting his feet up to get over the poles too difficult.
Have you had the vet or chiropractor check him over?
Some clumsy horses have back problems which prevent them from lifting their feet up properly.
Space your poles about 9' apart, this way you can walk, trot or canter over them. Have someone on the ground watch your horse trot over them, as each horse has a different length stride you may need to adjust the distances to suit his stride. Once the distances are sorted out work over the rails until he gets his confidence back. When you feel he is ready to jump then set up a small cross pole. Just high enough to invite him to jump or to trot over if he wants. Gradually increase the height, keeping to the cross pole. Once you are at 2' then make the jump a small spread. Wider is better than higher.
Do remember that once he starts to get tired he will become clumsy again so don't over do the trotting pole and jumping work. Make it fun for you both!

I once had a horse at the riding school who came to me at 21years old and had never jumped. He got nicknamed 'Demolition Decoy' as poles would fly in all directions. A bit of patience and quiet schooling had him jumping and the old owner could not believe his eyes as he watched him soar around over the open height cross country fences.

[FreedomStar]

First, I need to ask, how long have you been trying this? Have you been trying for several weeks with the same result? If so, you need to back off and do something else, as it seems he might be bored with the same thing all the time.

If not, well, back to basics. Get all the basics down, and I mean all. Tone up his hindquarters, and really push him to use them! Then, when you feel good about it, and he's carrying himself with impulsion and is coming from behind nicely, start with the poles again.

You mentioned that this is his first jump? If it is, then you might be rushing it. If he's never jumped before, you need the help of a trainer to get him started.

All of these suggestions are with the assumption that he is physically fit and able to do this.

[JuMpErChIcK78]

lol!! my sisters horse does the same thing!! hes to lazy to pick up his feet soo he plows right threw it! but my sis gets him over it with a big kick. maybe if you applied pressure to his side he will jump it instead of taking it down with him