Jumping problem

[sugarcube]

I've been having afew problems with my ex-racer when jumping. He's great jumping from trot, however on frequent occasions when jumping at canter I move forwards when he's about to jump but he seems to jump out of rhythm then do a huge jump which catapults me out of my seat and over his head. I've tried small jumps and placing poles infront of the jump but it makes no difference. Any idea where I'm going wrong?

[Iron Maiden]

Are you dropping the contact with your hands? This can put the horse on his forehand, so if he meets the jump on a long stride & needs to put in a big jump he will throw himself over in a bit of a heap. Try carrying your hands up & keeping his head up right up to take off. I always think of riding into a jump as being a bit like a coiling a spring full of energy so when you get to the jump, you can release the energy & go boing! But if you release the energy too soon by dropping the contact you don't have any spring left when you get to the jump & you're in trouble.

[~*sugarlump*~]

have you tried loose schooling him and loose jumping? it might be a good idea for him to find his balance properly over the jumps and find his footing.
gridwork could help alot

[DavidH]

Originally Posted by sugarcube

I move forwards when he's ABOUT to jump

The clue to your problem may well be in that statement.
If you shift your weight (move forward) before the horse actually starts to take-off it will unbalance him (put on forehand) in front of the fence resulting in the horse having to put in a short (unplanned) last stride. This then puts the horse too deep to the fence requiring a much bigger effort to jump it.
The riders postion over a fence is simply to absorb the acceleration of the actiual jump and should only be adopted as the acceleration is occuring, ie the horse is actually jumping. It should also be a fluid movement from rider upright to the amount of fold required to absorb the acceleration and back to upright as the horse makes the arc over the fence.

[sugarcube]

Thanks for your help. I think I may be setting off a bit early as you say and I'm sure I have been dropping the reins a bit too early. Ill give it a try again today!

[jumpjaky]

You need to sit exactly on your vertical or behind it(only a bit tough).
Be sure that your not droping your hands a stride away.
The best way to improve any jumping is flat work.

[helenhorse]

Originally Posted by sugarcube

I've been having afew problems with my ex-racer when jumping. He's great jumping from trot, however on frequent occasions when jumping at canter I move forwards when he's about to jump but he seems to jump out of rhythm then do a huge jump which catapults me out of my seat and over his head. I've tried small jumps and placing poles infront of the jump but it makes no difference. Any idea where I'm going wrong?

Ah! i am in your shooes! i have a 4year old ex race horse who occasioanlly gives me whip lash lol! what i do is wokr her on the flat for an hour to get her elaxed and stretching.....then do trotting poles with a little 1ft troot over jump at the nd! The when and if u proceed onto a bigger jump always rememebr LET THE JUMP COME TO YOU! if you feel her rushing or doing something out of the ordinary bring her round and circle again! count your strides outloud!id=f u have to! Grid work always helps to! please let me know if u want more hlep lol!