A nervous jumper

[kirstie]

I've only just learnt that amba's insecure and hasn't got hardly any confidence when jumping and in her case either rushes over fences to get over them as quick as possible or refuse them (which in some accounts is my falut)

I'd like amba to succeed in jumping eventually, therefore i'd like to take the time and effort to let her enjoy jumping and just have fun, instead of worrying and being nervous.

What should i start doing with amba (time scale wise as well) exercises e.c.t to making sure amba doesn't get nervous whilst jumping?

[Skyhuntress]

I'd lunge her over fences so she can figure out her own body and distancing beofer adding a rider in the mix.

[svenja]

The mare I used to share in London was a nervous jumper. We started free schooling her over small fences and it worked wonders- she discovered jumping was fun. She went from being a horse that would refuse or run out at the smallest jumpt to a bold and confident jumper. Just introduce a small jump while free schooling, taking it slowly at first. Then build it up a bit- never make it too big. When she gets more confident, start jumping from a trot when riding, that should also help her focus. Good luck!:)

[kirstie]

Lungeing possibly although shes not very good on lunge - gets distracted, moody, mad with herself, even when just trotting around, is it even possible to long rein over poles and small jumps? Its just seems happy and enjoys it when you long rein. Free schooling is kind of out the question, free-schooling itself doesn't even work :( she doesn't go out and if you make her she goes in a tizz.

Thanks both for the replies, very good ones, just not prehaps for amba! :)

[Guest]

Sorry to hi-jack Kirstie........

So what if the horse jumps well but just jumps incredibly fast.

Is it always excitement when they jump fast or can it be something else.

I'd dearly be able to teach Bry to slow down over jumps, the problem is she will walk into a jump (which I know isn't the best way to do it) but as soon as you try to canter or trott into a jump she just gets very fast and as for a steady landing, chance would be a fine thing.

I know I'll eventually get to the jumping part with my instructor so she will help me but I've always wondered t'is all.

[horseaholic]

Both of you could maybe try using trotting/canter poles in front of the jump? Say six poles, then a small jump at the end. For Amba, it will make sure she always reaches the jump on the right stride, so she can jump it easily and build up her confidence. For Bry, it would give her something to think about, and keep her stride regular. (though I don't know if she would just start rushing again when the poles were removed, you'd better find someone more experienced to tell you that :o ) You then remove the poles one by one, so the horse is jumping happily.

[teabiscuit]

hey Kirstie fantastic that you've been able to read what amba is telling you :D :D really good work and i mean that.

go back to the start is what i'd do

lead over 1 trotting pole, in walk.

then trot over it


then ride over it in walk and trot if she's confident, in a shooling session. so it's just another schooling excercise.

then three poles the right distance etc and just build up gradually as if she'd never seen a pole before in her life.

that's how i'd approach it

the jumping again little cross poles you can lead her over that she can step over if she wants, then ride her over them them get more adventurous

she's a welsh cob and most of them jump like stags, but some do get worried about exposing their tummies to a strange jump :D

[KateWooten]

Also, as you work through all these thing with Amba ... take the time to fill in all the holes that you find ... so, get her over the lunging thing. and the free-schooling thing. It just takes some patience - and not really all that much time !

[jenren!!]

I'd dearly be able to teach Bry to slow down over jumps, the problem is she will walk into a jump (which I know isn't the best way to do it) but as soon as you try to canter or trott into a jump she just gets very fast and as for a steady landing, chance would be a fine thing.

That just about sums up Aramis completely.

Try stopping her after the jump, it may just be she likes it? Aramis is a rocket over jumps but there's nothing in her face which says 'help me' when she approaches, more like 'JUMP, YEAAAAAA'.

Jenny xx

[kirstie]

Bobbin - dont mind if you hi-jack amba has a tendancy to rush but i'm putting that down to nervousness.

Thanks for the suggestions, thanks teabiscuit for the ideas i'm going to try some polework on her tonight, shes actually quite scared of wings, which doesn't help when jumping so i'm going to focus going to just a pair of wings with no poles, jumps up and going through in walk, trot and canter. Then obviously building her up slowly.

I do long reining instead of lunging, which she seems to prefer. With long - reining she looks more forward going and happy, whereas lunging shes just always angry and grupmy with herself. :(

[teabiscuit]

With long - reining she looks more forward going and happy, whereas lunging shes just always angry and grupmy with herself. :(

have you seen the thread in NH? is lunging cruel?

good idea about the wings

[DavidH]

Rushing to fences is often best cured after the fence.
Put 4 canter (not trot) poles after the fence. Leave one clear stride for landing then the 4 poles. This will regulate the canter after jumping without having to resort to less favourable methods. Stop the horse as quickly as you can after the poles (in straight line) without pulling.
Be warned, the horse will back off on the approach to the fence so keep leg on and aim for the same canter before fence as the horse will need after the fence to get through the poles cleanly.