[beauxdatious]

Beaux and Me are having some serious problems. I have recently had a very bad fall...right in front of a jump. Anyways My horse ( at the canter ) will get extremley excited right before a jump or as soon as he see's one. I am at the point where I cannot trot the jumps anymore. He is perfectly relaxed at the canter on the flat, but as soon as he see's a jump its...GALLOP DOWN THE LINE!

And its quite scary. ANd dangerous.

Anyone please help me.

Thanks!

Katie

P.S. I have been trying to slow him down by trotting him over the jumps but I cannot anymore.

[Dawn]

What type of exercises have you been doing with him? How often do you work him on the flat and jumping? Do you jump single fences/combos? Or are you riding courses with him? Do you do any gymnastics with him?

[zorse]

Your horse sounds like he lacks confidence, so he feels like he has to run at it to compensate.
I would do some grids and lines where you can trot in. You can start with a trot in one stride, then gradually make your lines longer so you are doing a trot in 5 stride for example. This way neither of you have to worry about getting your distance, just trot in nice and calm and then sit and wait on the other side of the jump. Also, keep the jumps to x poles.
If you know how to set poles/jumps properly (or can get help from a knowledgeable person), then you can also put canter placing poles in your lines, so he HAS to stay the same pace.

I wouldn't bother doing single fences with him right now.

[Cheeky Monkey]

I would say that you should try to get some lessons from a knowledgable coach. You don't want to hurt yourself or your horse.
Some things to work on would be: Lunge your horse over small fences, see how he reacts to jumping without a rider. Just set up something really low, trot and canter him over it on the lunge. If he quieter than when you ride him, see if you can get someone to lunge you on him. You may anticipate the jumping and make him anticipate and nervous.
I agree with Zorse as well, jump lines or grids and leave out the single fences. Single fences dont reach the horse or the rider anything realy, grids and lines are much better.
If your horse is really nutty, set up lines with just poles and canter through them. Make sure that you wait for them, see your distances, count if it helps. Raise them up to jumps only when the poles on the ground are easy for both of you.

[lolajane]

Originally Posted by Cheeky Monkey

I would say that you should try to get some lessons from a knowledgable coach. You don't want to hurt yourself or your horse.
Some things to work on would be: Lunge your horse over small fences, see how he reacts to jumping without a rider. Just set up something really low, trot and canter him over it on the lunge. If he quieter than when you ride him, see if you can get someone to lunge you on him. You may anticipate the jumping and make him anticipate and nervous.
I agree with Zorse as well, jump lines or grids and leave out the single fences. Single fences dont reach the horse or the rider anything realy, grids and lines are much better.
If your horse is really nutty, set up lines with just poles and canter through them. Make sure that you wait for them, see your distances, count if it helps. Raise them up to jumps only when the poles on the ground are easy for both of you.

i agree with this! and trot through them first even...... then put the LAST pole up to a raised caveletti even and if he gets all crazy walk him over it. make him go slow..... lead him from the ground over it.

[JKetsche]

We had this problem, and I like Cheeky's ideas. I lunged my horse over a small vertical--turned out the problem was hers, not mine (initially). Once she settled over the vertical on the lunge (and an oxer), I had someone lunge me (reins knotted) over the fences--all I was doing was sitting there. If it comes apart again, consider that the problem is the rider.

While I disagree that there is no value in single fences, I do agree that you don't need them right now. Stick with trot/canter poles, cavaletti, and grids until your horse goes through them calmly. Then you can progress to single fences.

One thing that might help you (it's helped me) is to trot an X. Try to post that last beat--it almost feels like you're getting left behind when you hit the saddle that last time. That will help him learn to wait for you. Then raise the sides of the X until it's actually a 2' jump (gradually, of course). If you can make an X out of planks, do the same thing with that (keep it smaller, though). Those things have really helped my horse think about waiting for me.

Placing poles or trot poles before a single jump should help him, as well--they'll force him to stay slow or charge through them (a very few horses will do this). Now you can trot big Xs and small verticals. Gradually move to cantering (with canter poles), again going back to the smallest fences. TRY to stay just on the verge of being left behind (without actually getting left behind). That will keep you thinking "wait" to yourself--which will help your horse to wait. Gradually remove the placing poles.

I thought for the longest time my horse had gone back to her rushing habits--it turned out it was just me. I don't try to see a spot--I just concentrate on getting to the fence in a good rhythm. I sit deeper rather than spending much time in 2 point before the fence, then think "wait." However, if the horse sees a long one and takes it, slip your reins and stay with him as best you can--don't punish him for jumping. Correct after the fence. I promise that you can, over time and with GREAT attention to detail and to your own body, make your horse not only wait, but pick whether he takes off long or chips (yes, I am learning to make my rushy mare chip instead of charging--it can be done!). Think quality canter, support the horse, and be there for him. Don't overface him, and work on all the myriad exercises you have gotten/will get in this thread. Chin up and stay safe!

[Cheeky Monkey]

I think it is more benifitial if you sit to the fences. Or even 2 point/half seat. that way you do not feel like you are getting left behind, and you can't jump ahead as easily as if you post to it.

[royalrox]

I agree with doing poles, also with the poles if you set up a line, trot in and then have him stop in the middle and wait and then trot over the next jump-it will be hard half halt and MAKE him stop and then stop on straight lines, also you can stop about 10 feet in front of the first pole/jump as well, just make sure its never right in front of the jump so he doesn't start refusing, you want to have enough room to pick up the trot after and jump it, also work on flat work, getting him round and making him bend, cuz I'm sure his head goes straight up in the air as well, so getting his attention to go into a frame towards the jumps will make him concentrate on you-because as of now he blocks you out when heading to a jump