"Leaping" Problem

[dressagegirl17]

I just bought Paris, my 5 year old gelding, about 2 months ago. He was professionaly trained, and I know that his previous owner jumped him. He has wonderful manners, great on the flat, and is pretty much perfect. I recently started jumping him myself, first putting him over some poles on the lunge line, and over a small jump. I noticed that he seemed to leap over the jumps, leaving a good foot or 2 between the jump and him. I thought it was just because he was excited, but he continues to do it on the lunge and when I am riding him. My instructor suggested that maybe he was nervous or excited and so he exaggerated the jump, but he seems fine and doesn't ever balk, so I don't think that is the case. It is quite frustrating when he does this, because it's hard to not be "left behind" when he leaps like that. It also causes me to sometimes yank on his mouth when he lands. Any suggestions on how to get him to stop doing this, or ideas on why he does it?

[Guest]

I'd say that he is leaping due to inexperience and not having enough confidence.
Maybe he doesn't know where he should take off so he just kinda throws himself over.
Maybe he needs to have a ground line in so he can see where the jump is and maybe do some kind of grid work.
I'm not very good at this sort of thing and how to do things correctly so others will advise you better.

[Cheeky]

Perhaps he is just a naturally large jumper? I know that Cheek is .. he jumps a stride before the jump, and about 2ft above .. bless him :o :rolleyes:

Build up his confidence .. just do some trotting poles to let him know that there is no stress about it. Both on and off the lunge. Then introduce the small jump .. yes, a few young horses do try to jump 10ft above and beyond the jump because they are young, inexperienced, and not sure what will happen if they knock it down (aka .. will it eat them?). Stick with him .. keep going over the little jump, give him lots of rein, and don't forget to ask it in walk first. He may bound over it in walk .. this means he needs more training and is a little confused. Keep repeating the jump until he will walk over it, like you would a branch in your path. Then do the same in trot .. again, repeat, repeat, repeat! Let him settle :)

You could also try putting trot poles before the jump to line him up and keep him relaxed.

Good luck

[Sparkie]

Keep trying over small jumps with him, it may be a confidence issue. Trotting poles and gridwork will also help. It might also be easier for you if you fit a neckstrap, so you can grab this whilst jumping to prevent yourself from pulling his mouth.