Starting Hunters over fences

CowGirlUp1833 · 12-13-2004, 01:27 PM

Hey everyone! Thanks in advance for any help! I have a 7 year old mare that I just got this summer. She's been paddock bound her whole life- I got her on a trade and she is a GEM! She has great gaits and is cute as a button!

I'm doing all of her training myself. She did know w/t/c when I got her, so we spent the summer on flat work. (We still spend the majority of our time on the flat) We are slowly incorporating jumps into her daily routine. What are the best patterns to begin with. Right now, we are doing trot poles to a small cross rail. At what point should I add additional jumps, and what type of stiding should I start? i.e. should I set up outside line to outside line, or should I through in a 1-2 stride? At what point should I start with mini courses? Also, should I use any type of martingale, etc.- or let her learn to carry herself on her own? She has nice, natural form as it is....

ANY info that may be helpful would be Greatly appreciated!
CowGirlUp1833@yahoo.com ~Kimberly
PS- I always make sure to wrap her legs and warm her up properly before each session.

cassidy · 12-13-2004, 01:31 PM

well when starting jumping you are doing well with poles to a x-pole then i would suggest you get her going into a two strided x-pole double an then maybe a straight as the second jump keep them small mind until you feel she is confident then raise them slowly an then go on to doing small corses an a double with a bigger jump at the back raising it as she is confident then you can go on to progress into scarier jumps i.e fillers gates ect!!

good luck an remeber make it fun for both of you

cassidy · 12-13-2004, 01:32 PM

as for her you need to let her learn on her own as well as you helping

i.e use a 2 strided double get her going into it straight an help her out by placing poles so she can learn the right stride then through the middle give her the reins an let her also learn how to see a stride but help her out if she needs it!

flashypony813 · 12-14-2004, 03:43 PM

yea when she is confortable with one jump make another, for a start i would make a 6 or 7 stide outside line. then when she is comfortable with that, raise the bars. then start adding more jumps. as for a martengale, i wouldnt use one unless she starts lifting her head or bucking after jumps.

12-13-2004, 01:27 PM	#1
CowGirlUp1833 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: On the Lake Michigan Shoreline Posts: 17,367 Images: 438 Blog Entries: 41	Starting Hunters over fences Hey everyone! Thanks in advance for any help! I have a 7 year old mare that I just got this summer. She's been paddock bound her whole life- I got her on a trade and she is a GEM! She has great gaits and is cute as a button! I'm doing all of her training myself. She did know w/t/c when I got her, so we spent the summer on flat work. (We still spend the majority of our time on the flat) We are slowly incorporating jumps into her daily routine. What are the best patterns to begin with. Right now, we are doing trot poles to a small cross rail. At what point should I add additional jumps, and what type of stiding should I start? i.e. should I set up outside line to outside line, or should I through in a 1-2 stride? At what point should I start with mini courses? Also, should I use any type of martingale, etc.- or let her learn to carry herself on her own? She has nice, natural form as it is.... ANY info that may be helpful would be Greatly appreciated! CowGirlUp1833@yahoo.com ~Kimberly PS- I always make sure to wrap her legs and warm her up properly before each session.

12-13-2004, 01:31 PM	#2
cassidy Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2004 Location: england - its sunny sometimes honest! Posts: 21,789 Images: 843	well when starting jumping you are doing well with poles to a x-pole then i would suggest you get her going into a two strided x-pole double an then maybe a straight as the second jump keep them small mind until you feel she is confident then raise them slowly an then go on to doing small corses an a double with a bigger jump at the back raising it as she is confident then you can go on to progress into scarier jumps i.e fillers gates ect!! good luck an remeber make it fun for both of you __________________ bluebell , haribo , william & lil bill May your life be like toilet paper - Long and useful A horse doesn't care how much you know until he knows how much you care. - Pat Parelli http://www.freewebs.com/linz88055/myprofile.htm

12-13-2004, 01:32 PM	#3
cassidy Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2004 Location: england - its sunny sometimes honest! Posts: 21,789 Images: 843	as for her you need to let her learn on her own as well as you helping i.e use a 2 strided double get her going into it straight an help her out by placing poles so she can learn the right stride then through the middle give her the reins an let her also learn how to see a stride but help her out if she needs it! __________________ bluebell , haribo , william & lil bill May your life be like toilet paper - Long and useful A horse doesn't care how much you know until he knows how much you care. - Pat Parelli http://www.freewebs.com/linz88055/myprofile.htm

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12-14-2004, 03:43 PM	#4
flashypony813 Full Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 87	yea when she is confortable with one jump make another, for a start i would make a 6 or 7 stide outside line. then when she is comfortable with that, raise the bars. then start adding more jumps. as for a martengale, i wouldnt use one unless she starts lifting her head or bucking after jumps.