Jumping too high

[Maclynky]

I'm just starting to learn to jump and am still very nervous about even the smallest cross pole. The problem I've got is that when I do trot him over the tiniest jump he clears it with what feels like 3 foot to spare! I'm going to get some jumping lessons from an instructor but thought I'ld post to see if anyone has any ideas of how I can teach Mac to jump more accurately. Thanks.

[IrisSilverMoon]

Gymnastics fences. like four smallish fences in a row will help a LOT. he can't overjump or he'll get too close to the next fence to clear it properly. Its good for developing nice form for him too.

another thing to try is just a plain boring crossrail and take it slowly (like something he can walk over) walk him over it, trot him over it, do these things until he's nice and bored and realises jumping doesn't need to be so exciting.

[MollyLolly]

its a too way situation. your nervous so you will tend to lean forward too early making him unbalance and you will grip with your knees making him feel uncomfortable. if your calm, he will be calm.
he may be young, i dont know, or inexperienced..
try to lunge him first over a trot pole and remain quiet as he goes over and notice how he does it...

[Susara]

Look on the positive side: you horse is careful when jumping! That's usually taken as a good sign, indicating that he concentrates on the jump and won't knock carelessly later when he gets used to jumping.

But it would still be a good idea to teach him jumps don't eat horses, which is why IrisSilverMoon suggests doing lots of little jumps to get him used to them.

If you are a bit afraid of doing this, given that you are not quite settled in your seat yet, you could try free jumping him over little jumps. If he's not used to jumping (and from what you say I deduce he isn't) this will also help him to sort out his balance without a rider. I understand that's the usual way of introducing a horse to jumping.

[Maclynky]

Many thanks for all your replies. I willd definitely try free schooling over jumps. Would love to try jumping four in a row but really do't think I've as yet got the confidence. There is someone else who rides him for me who is very confident so this is something I can maybe ask her to try.

[Vicki&Milo]

It sounds daft but he might be better in canter, from canterm jumping is a more natural movement and so he may take it more in his stride, rather than half stopping to sort his feet out and then leaping.
Vicki xx

[IrisSilverMoon]

Many thanks for all your replies. I willd definitely try free schooling over jumps. Would love to try jumping four in a row but really do't think I've as yet got the confidence. There is someone else who rides him for me who is very confident so this is something I can maybe ask her to try.


the four in a row really don't have to be big fences, they could be less than a foot, i think if he's really overjumping its a good idea to keep things small anyways, so if you have to you can make him walk over everything.

[Laura+Phantom]

It sounds daft but he might be better in canter, from canterm jumping is a more natural movement and so he may take it more in his stride, rather than half stopping to sort his feet out and then leaping.
Vicki xx

I totally agree, I had the same problem with Phantom, he would jump everything massive and I kept getting left behind, but the key is to keep him going FORWARD. When we approach the jump in a nice forward trot or bouncy canter, he jumps it beautifully. I never associated going slow with jumping bigger but that might be your problem too? If I jump him in hand or on the lunge he jumps massive.