What should I be doing on the appraoch? Help please!

[Talou]

Strange question from someone who has been jumping for a while but..

What exactly do you have to do before the fence? The turn, the approach etc...

My problem is I can't seem to turn properly, I keep pushing (driving with my body)the horse too much when going to jump, and I lean forward!

I just feel like everytime we get closer to the jump he slows down, like he's sloping downwards..head way down.. Am I making any sense? :o

In yesterday's lesson we worked only on an X pole, so we can sort out all our problems, I know i have to set the pace before the fence,lean back and he'll do the rest but when I'm doing that I'm afraid he's going too slow and will stumble or something.. Is this just a feeling? Casper is a fantastic jumper, point him at a jump and leave him to it. I don't know, I'm very confused.. :confused:

So what exactly should I be doing on the approach to a fence?

[Ross]

First imperative is to make sure that you turn so that you are approaching the fence straight. And then, forget about the fence - it'll come to you - and concentrate on keeping a good, rhythmic canter on the approach.

I think only practise sorts this out, to be honest...

Ross

[PinkGlamourGurl]

Erm not really useful but i heard somewhere that ponies put their heads down a few strides before the fence to judge it :confused: dont quote me on that one. Fleur doesn't do it, but the other Mare i ride, Vicky, she seems to put her head down a bit(although that could just be her trying to escape from me :p)

Just sit back, keep your leg on but dont drive into the fence, i seem to do that when it gets bigger, but no matter what height the approach should be calm and collected, sit deep. I'm not being funny or nasty in anyway here but has a horse ever stopped in front of a fence with you and you went over the top?

That happened to me and i soon learnt to sit back. Some ponies if you lean forward or fold too soon will stop and let you go flying(Bunni :o) where as other ponies(Fleur) will take the dive for you and try to help and get you both over safely,sounds like casper does this tooCasper is a fantastic jumper, point him at a jump and leave him to it. Personally i prefer the second kind but the first kind really teach you a lot :p My RI says that the jump is just obstacle, you create the line and the pony MUST learnt to do the rest. As for folding on time, wait for take off this should push you out of your seat, or something like that lol Hope this helps Natxxx

[Talou]

Thanks. :)

I used to not think about all this stuff, and I used to jump well.. but now I think too much. :rolleyes:

Casper has never refused a jump as far as I know. :) If he's not sure, he'll do it anyway lol!

[tasha]

but now I think too much. :rolleyes:


I was going to say you are doing this! Might worth having a go at jumping with your eyes shut (if you dare!) so that you *have* to just sit there and let it come to you.

[Lovemyappy]

I use to drive with my seat while going towards fences if I thought we were slowing. I now ride in a half seat (light seat) while jumping, unless I think its a jump that he might have some issues with (new, somehow scary).

[magicmouse]

My sister listens to her iPod when shes jumping so shes got something else to concentrate on. However that might only work if your horse will definately jump.

Sarah

[EquestrianRider]

Here are some ideas for jumping:

Once you are on the straight line for the jump, look up and over the jump- focus on an object that is at eye level in the distance. You don't ever want to look at the jump, because the horse can sense you are doing this and will hesitate as well. He'll most likely refuse the jump- so remember eyes up!

When you are going over the jump, give him a nice release. Make sure that you aren't irritating him by bouncing back in the saddle too early... Things like this can agitate a horse and make jumping not too fun of an experience for him.

Don't let your horse simply run up to it, and don't let him mosey up to it either. You have to be in control here- regulate his pace. Get a steady trot, count the rhythym in your head, and go over the jump. Always remember, in order for a proper jump you need to have forward impulsion, rhythym, and a straight line. But remember, there is a difference between forward impulsion and just being speedy. If you bring your horse up to the jump and he's just rushing up to it, chances are your jump is going to be sloppy. Your horse is going to be unprepared, and you might even knock the jump down. This is why you need to get your horse moving with forward impulsion- he needs to move forward at a nice speed, in a steady manner. This way he will be attentive and jump nicely and cleanly. Trot or canter your horse around the ring until he is moving forward with forward impulsion. Don't let him just speed up to the jump.

Remember that you are in charge and drive him forward with your leg. Remember that your leg (your calves specifically), should always be on- asking your horse to move forward. This is because if you don't have your calf squeezing your horse forward all the time, if you ask him to slow down, he may just walk or halt. Also make sure that you are driving him forward by squeezing with your calves, not kicking him, which will just irritate him.

Keep in mind the important things to help you stay on - always keep your heel down. Don't jump ahead of your horse- if he refuses it, you don't want to go over his head. You mentioned that you're pushing your horse so much that you're leaning forward. Perhaps you're gripping with your knees, as well? That sends the body tipping forward, and the legs swinging back, which is not a good thing. It also sounds like by pushing your horse so far forward, that you may be nagging him. If you're constantly banging your legs on your horse's sides, desperately urging him to move forward, he's going to end up ignoring your cues and doing what he wants to do. Instead, you have to make your cues mean something. This means, that you can't constantly being banging your legs on his side. Always have your calf on steadily, asking him to move forward, but don't be continuously banging your legs. It's a good thing to have your heels down as well, because they would prevent you from falling off, too. Don't be afraid to grab mane or a martingale strap! All of these things will keep you safe in the saddle. Don't stress out too much over your position right now. As long as you are doing a nice two-point and keeping your heels down, eyes up, etc., you'll be fine.

If he slows down before the jump, just squeeze him forward with your calves, and cluck to him, and verbally urge him forward. Once he jumps well, praise him and tell Casper he's the most wonderful horse in the world! With positive reinforcement to Casper, and with practice on your part as well, you two will be jumping pros in no time! ;)

Best of luck. Tell us how everything goes.

[Talou]

Thanks everyone! :D

Yeah, that's another one of my problems..looking down! I tried looking up once.. it felt so weird. :p But I'm working on it.

I think I also need to work on putting legs on (ie squeezing) I think I stop using my legs completely when we near the jump now that I think about it. Will definately practice more on that!

When you are going over the jump, give him a nice release.
Well, at least i know I do that right! :)

Might worth having a go at jumping with your eyes shut (if you dare!) so that you *have* to just sit there and let it come to you.

I've thought about it before while riding but then got too scared to actually do it. :rolleyes: I remember my RI telling my friend to do that once...doesn't look very fun haha!

Well, tomorrow is flatwork day so I'll work on having a good canter in preperation for jumping.

Once he jumps well, praise him and tell Casper he's the most wonderful horse in the world!
He already knows he's the best. ;)

Just a reminder for myself:

Don't think too much!! ...and heels DOWN!

[ponysales]

Strange question from someone who has been jumping for a while but..

What exactly do you have to do before the fence? The turn, the approach etc...

My problem is I can't seem to turn properly, I keep pushing (driving with my body)the horse too much when going to jump, and I lean forward!

I just feel like everytime we get closer to the jump he slows down, like he's sloping downwards..head way down.. Am I making any sense? :o

In yesterday's lesson we worked only on an X pole, so we can sort out all our problems, I know i have to set the pace before the fence,lean back and he'll do the rest but when I'm doing that I'm afraid he's going too slow and will stumble or something.. Is this just a feeling? Casper is a fantastic jumper, point him at a jump and leave him to it. I don't know, I'm very confused.. :confused:

So what exactly should I be doing on the approach to a fence? Sounds like you don't know what the rythmn of the correct pace should be, if you still think you horse is going to slowily or are unsure. You wouldn't be feeling as if you need to drive him also if you were in fact on the correct pace. I can't think of how to tell you how to count the rythmn in an email. You should be counting in sets of 4. 1,2,3,4.......1,2,3,4....etc. I'm going to say that there is a 1/2 second in between each number.

[ponysales]

Sounds like you don't know what the rythmn of the correct pace should be, if you still think you horse is going to slowily or are unsure. You wouldn't be feeling as if you need to drive him also if you were in fact on the correct pace. I can't think of how to tell you how to count the rythmn in an email. You should be counting in sets of 4. 1,2,3,4.......1,2,3,4....etc. I'm going to say that there is a 1/2 second in between each number.