[xduckehx]

Well, Vinny is finally sound again, and so I'm going to continue with our over-fences work as before we changed facilities I had him over fences a few times in one session. To give you an idea of where he's at so far with the over-fences business.... He has trotted an X-rail fence from both directions a few times, both trotting in and trotting out, and trotting in and cantering out. He has also cantered over in both directions. He's happy and eager, and is doing far better than I could have hoped (as in approaching, steadying, finding his distance, and following through).

I started my old gelding over fences, but he was older and just had the "lets DO IT" attitude, where as Vinny is still young and I want to encourage him to be brave and bold, while being careful and setting him up for success. What are some things I can do with him with X's and small verticles to build his confidence until he's ready for more? I'm limited for numbers of jumps, so things with limited jumps would be a score for us (as in, 2 jump exercises and such to start with).

And, just for good measure... we both thank you for any advice!

[dustyboy1209]

Have you set up poles both in front of the fence and after? That is a good way to set them up for doing two jumps. It makes them think about the fact that they still have to watch where they are going, how they are stepping, before and after the fence. Esp. after. Set it where you would put another jump, if it were one stride away. When he is comfortable with cantering out over this pole, you can raise it a bit to a small vertical, or make it a small cross rail.

Once he is ok with the idea of going from one jump to another, not just one at a time, you can vary the distances, or even make it so they have to change leads from one fence to another, as though you were riding part of a serpentine. So you would come in bearing left, go across the middle and the first jump, land canter to the right, so if they landed on the wrong lead they would have to switch. As they are coming around the "corner" if they are on the wrong lead I imagine it will be more difficult to set up correctly for the upcoming fence. The key is getting them to take the correct lead over the fence. If you canter in they will really have to think about it because he will not just have to pick up the correct lead, he will have to change it over the fence.

Similarly, you could ride one fence on a figure eight. Come around bearing left on a circle, cross the middle jumping the fence, landing bearing to the right. Then, one you master that, tighten up your circles so that they are angled like triangles on each side, and teach your horse to jump the fence at a slight angle, instead of straight on.

I will try and think of some more that don't require a lot of fences. Hope it helps!

[xduckehx]

those are great suggestions, thanks so much! I especially would like to try the poles before and after the jumps, I hadn't even thought of that (I was doing ground lines, etc, but hadn't thought of putting them a couple strides out on either side). Thanks again! =]


Does anyone else have any other options or thoughts on the issue?

[xduckehx]

bumping for the evening....

[imjustjoking22]

I would highly suggest the book 101 Jumping Exercises for Horse and Rider

[Auzzie Honey]

Rule number one - have a good solid education on the flat.

- Walk, trot and canter .. picks up the gait, and comes down, when asked willingly. There should be no fighting between you and your horse. I'd also have leg yeilding and possibly start flying changes before getting into real jumping. This way you can correct your horse if required as you head towards and after the jump.

- Sound .. saddle fits, teeth done, feet in good nic, no sore muscles, etc etc

- You have a quiet seat and responsive hands.. when training a young horse you MUST have a quiet seat and forgiving hands should something go a little pear shaped or over lept.

As for jumping .. have you done ground poles? Cavalletti's? Or raised poles? This will help get him thinking of where his legs are going, where he's placing his feet, and building back/HQ muscle. You can play around with the distance (when he's going solid over regular poles) to ask him to lengthen and shorten his stride.

Adding an X bar at the end of a length of trotting poles will encourage him to have forward impulsion and momentum and approach in a straight line over the jump.

You can then try poles (trot), X bar, 3 strides, then another X bar. If you find he's rushing, put down ONE (not 2, he may jump it) pole between to slow him down and think about what he is doing.

Keep jumping sessions short and sweet. Always end on a good note, and praise after each GOOD jump. Don't say anything if it was over lept, but don't punish either. Repeat any jump that is approached/ridden incorrectly, allow for mistakes and be gentle

Good luck! How old is your horse?