Jumping in a Western Saddle

[bexj]

I'm borrowing my friends horse for 10 days while she goes on holiday, and she is ridden in a Western Saddle. I fancy trying some jumping on her (nothin ambitious, just popping over a few small cross poles), but as my friend doesn't like jumping I was just wondering if it's possible to jump in a Western saddle? The horn seems to be quite a long one, and I don't want to end up being poked in the stomach!

[jenren!!]

I dont see why not, i know someone who jumps their western horse, only small though.

[Montana]

Little logs only:D Those saddle horns really wind you if they catch you wrong:eek:

I fell off very badly and injured my back early this year, when my sponsored ride tabard got caught over the saddle horn as we were cantering up a hill, locking me to the saddle. The horrible thing was punching me in the solar plexus and made me panic, scream, and generally do everything wrong:rolleyes: which led to my horse panicking and bucking until he threw me loose. Not fun!

Also, I may be wrong, but I don't think jumping in a Western saddle can be too good for the horse's back? If it's only a couple of little obstacles, like you might have to hop over on a trail, I would have thought it's ok though.

[Shadowlark]

I have jumped a round or two at about 3 feet on a few occasions, and jumps will turn up in some trail classes, but if you get into a wreck or are insecure about jumping to begin with I probably wouldn't try it.

[Jessey]

You are fine for little ones, in western comp I have never seen anything above 18" over here.
I jump a bit, until I decided to jump a big QH in a cutting saddle, he wasn't so keen so I gave him a little flick with my reins, he did a little buck right on take off and I landed up with the horn stabbing in my belly and kind of getting caught under me ribs :o Since then I have learned to keep one hand firmly on the horn so you know where it is/nothing can get caught/your hand protects your belly a bit :D

[BeachRiding]

I used to all the time, never had a problem.

[janet hakeney]

If you go to http://horsecity.com/extreme/ and download the first episode of this years extreme cowboy race you will see some western horses jumping.

It is a bit like a rather testing western 'handy pony' competition rather than a course that would be considered extreme in our course building/eventing culture/competition scene. The prizemoney they can win is mind boggling though.

[Rips]

Why not try bareback?! :D Go on! Start really small and build up.

OT: I notice on that link the add 'win free horse' the horse looks quite young though - bit irresponsible I think!

[akubra_chik]

It sounds ok but i would just ride bareback but also if your friend hasn't done much jumping then the horse isn't used to it. I know a friend who jumps in a dressage saddle but that's not quite the same thing. But yeah if you are jumping, just start off gradually then get higher.

cheers

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[bexj]

Oh my giddy ants, there is no way I could jump bareback:eek: I'm only talking of popping over a small x pole in the school - 18inches maybe! Or a log out hacking, nothing ambitious!! Good idea about keeping one hand on top of the horn though - will try that!