horrible jumping style-too old now?

[miggy]

My pony has the most horrible jumping technique, like a stag jump I suppose, she almostr rears up over it, like it was about 4ft and drags the back end over (im talking about a tiny cross pole).
She is 16, too old to try and improve this?
If not do you think trotting poles/raised poles etc?
Thanks

[Pink's lady]

Gridwork, gridwork and more grid work. ;). helps then with their striding and athletisism. The cure for all problems ;):D

My friend took a 21yr old pony on loan, who had never jumped in his life. She taught him from scratch and he turned out to be a really nice little jumper. So no, not too old at all.

[Jetstreem]

As Pinks Lady suggested, lots of gridwork. Just be sure that if you are doing the 'bounce' grids dont have too many in a row, unless your horse is very fit.

My 20yr old welsh D hates grids with a vengeance! He usually only manages three jumps in a row (which is 2 bounces). He jumped a 90cm high oxer yesterday for me for the first time in a year. 16 isnt old at all, even for working on the horses jumping technique.

Cerys :)

[Emz]

Check you're approaching in a good active rhythm and you're not getting left behind of in front of the movement and allowing with your hands.

Placings poles either side of the jump may help him to bascule a little more, but gridwork would deff help, again concentrate on an active balanced rhythm coming into it.

[miggy]

thanks all.
Emz-you didnt think I was actually riding over the jump did you :) way too scarey for me :D
Have to admit was in hand/lunging!
will get grid work going

[dilaika]

if you're not riding him...see if you can find someone who will ride him over the jumps. . . a rider (who is good enough) may be able to help him collect himself and help him with the striding. From a lunge - yes, grid-work can help... also just poles on the ground set so one per stride...but be carefull to build up slowly so that you can see when its too much. Be aware - some horses just aren't natural jumpers due to conformation.

If I were you, I would really try to get at least one lesson/training sesson w/ a proffesional to at least get their opinion, even if you can't do it regularly. It may be dangerous for both you and your horse otherwise.

[Cheeky]

Cheek does the 'rearing' over jumps thing - but it works for him, and he clears it.

If its a problem, like people have said, grids. Also trotting poles - take him over the poles to make sure he is getting a floating rythme happening .. and that he is picking up his hind legs. Then introduce a small X bar at the end of the poles - also make sure you have enough impulsion towards the jump. If you trot towards it, make sure its the trot YOU want not what HE wants. Make the trot as big as you want - he needs to get over.

It's never to late to teach an old horse new tricks .. you just need to get a smoother flow over things.

[*Sparkle]

A friend of mine had the very same problem with her horse when she first bought him. He was eleven, and although he had jumping experience he did what we called a "stag leap" or "gazelle hop" over his jumps. This sort of jump is not comfortable to ride, and as you can imagine she lost most of her confidence riding over jumps. Several things helped with this problem:

-If the horse is caught in the mouth over jumps, he will quickly learn to throw his head up and not round out. A proper release, whether from a rider or the lunge line, is important to help your horse figure out his own jump without being restricted.

-Gridwork, whether with poles or small jumps, can help a horse tighten his body and not be so flat through his fences. Make sure the grids start small and easy to build up his confidence, and proper spacing is absolutely essential to helping his form.

-Although slightly unorthodox, we also used a running martingale on that particular horse. This helped him realize that it was easier and less energy-consuming to jump the fence naturally, rather than leaping over it. As with any training aid, we only used this for a short time, to help him keep his head lower over the jumps and it turn helping him round his back. Once he discovered that this was okay, and that he wouldn't be caught in the mouth, he adopted a very cute, rounded jump that is much more comfortable and pleasurable.

Best of luck to you and your horse! =)

-Jess