Im wanting to start jumping my horsie. Ive always been scared stiff of jumping (except on my old pony Casper, who I even took round a x country course *gasp*!), but hecs needs something new to do and Id like to try it out with him.
Basic stuff - he's 15.1hh, l/w cob type. VERY laid back. The problem we're having is that he will just not get into the idea at all. Stick a horse in front of him for him to follow and he jumps like a stag , on his own he either refuses (a very sedate refusal - he just slows down in a genteel way until he ends up in a neat halt), backs off just before the jump, or runs straight through it with poles flying everywhere.
As far a I know he's never really been taught to jump. We have done the basics of pole work, and raised poles, and he will pop a tiny cross pole (usually with his eyes shut and just trotting over it) happily. His striding is okay, and so long as I stay positive I can keep him going in his last second 'oh no I dont think I can actually lift my legs a foot!' stage.
But I never get any higher than about a maximum of 2ft, and we need to work up to that.
Id like to feel like he's enjoying his jumping a bit more - but Id rather not follow another horse (I also dont think I could persuade anyone to do it) as I dont feel happy that I can stop him in that situation. id like to build my confidence jumping and get a better jump out of him.
Basically we both need better attitudes and enjoyment out of it!
I have cones, poles, wings, blocks, and a 20x40 rubber outdoor school at my disposal.
Any tips/ideas/advice/help?
Thanks many.
Jo and Hec
xxx
Basic stuff - he's 15.1hh, l/w cob type. VERY laid back. The problem we're having is that he will just not get into the idea at all. Stick a horse in front of him for him to follow and he jumps like a stag , on his own he either refuses (a very sedate refusal - he just slows down in a genteel way until he ends up in a neat halt), backs off just before the jump, or runs straight through it with poles flying everywhere.
As far a I know he's never really been taught to jump. We have done the basics of pole work, and raised poles, and he will pop a tiny cross pole (usually with his eyes shut and just trotting over it) happily. His striding is okay, and so long as I stay positive I can keep him going in his last second 'oh no I dont think I can actually lift my legs a foot!' stage.
But I never get any higher than about a maximum of 2ft, and we need to work up to that.
Id like to feel like he's enjoying his jumping a bit more - but Id rather not follow another horse (I also dont think I could persuade anyone to do it) as I dont feel happy that I can stop him in that situation. id like to build my confidence jumping and get a better jump out of him.
Basically we both need better attitudes and enjoyment out of it!
I have cones, poles, wings, blocks, and a 20x40 rubber outdoor school at my disposal.
Any tips/ideas/advice/help?
Thanks many.
Jo and Hec
xxx