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Post by carrie17491 on Aug 15, 2012 12:49:56 GMT
Anyone else have a horse that is very strong when jumping?
My girl LOVES her new job, she is very enthusiatic and iof there is a jump up in the school she gets very excitable and strong. She is snaffle mouthed and very soft in the hand but when she's jumping I find she is very heavy on the hand and stong.
I'm glad she enjoys it, she doesn't rush fences etc but can get quite strong, I am an experienced rider but have only ever had 1 strong jumping horse - he was in a gag and grackle and was still stong in the hands.
Any tips? Should I maybe swap her bit when jumping? Swap her noseband? I don't want her getting ahead of herself and scaring herself over jumps.
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Post by bethanyy on Aug 15, 2012 13:20:11 GMT
I have found that ground poles can help, my old horse was forced to slow otherwise he would trip over the pole and make a mess of the jump! Transition work into the fence could also help, vary each entry between the trot and canter into the fence.
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Post by yobswithcobs on Aug 15, 2012 13:22:09 GMT
I had one the same, total dope on a rope when schooling, handling etc but the minute he seen a jump he was a maniac. VERY strong and very fast into jumps. To be honest, the only way i found to calm him down was lots of polework and gridwork with jumps. No bits were greatly helpful but i rode him in a waterford. Also, i found he jumped alot calmer when bareback? I dont reccomend this right enough unless you totally 100% trust her. Good luck with your girl!  |
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Post by GinaGeo on Aug 15, 2012 13:31:24 GMT
Time and schooling. My horse always used to be strong Jumping, I tried the gag route at the beginning and we just left legs dangling with our nose in the air. It was not fun and I don't recommend it. I had a lot of re-educating to do with him as the only thing he'd done before we bought him as a four year old was jump, he was started by loose jumping and was then sat on and jumped. Not the best start and it's taken a long time to re-educate him. I've spent the last five years working hard on my transitions, rhythm and his response. I've rarely jumped courses and never a single fence for schooling purposes. Grid work has been invaluable as well as teaching him to ride totally from my seat. He now jumps in a snaffle and martingale and has never jumped better. We took him out this morning to have a pop round a BS course. We weren't jumping huge, but he rode a nice double clear and I didn't have to touch his mouth once, it all came from leg and seat and he won not because he was going fast, but because he jumped a nice smooth fluid round. I've had to learn not to interfere with him though. If he's rushing slightly into a fence then I have to just sit and let him use his own brain to sort himself out, if I take a check then he will drop a leg. I have been guilty of killing the canter in the past when jumping, as it felt better, but in reality it wasn't active enough to jump from decently. If she's strong then I'd take her back a stage to nip it in the bud now. Back to schooling work. Pole work is useful too and some basic gridwork. Don't bother with a bit change and keep her noseband the same. Never jump a single fence when training for now, keep to grid work to keep her sitting up and thinking. Lots of transitions to keep her back end engaged, both full transitions between paces and transitions within the pace. I use lots of halt to canter, canter to halt with mine, but as yours is only young you don't want them that strenuous. With regards to her being strong, it takes two to pull. A useful exercise may well be the riding round jumps, when she settles let her jump, if she pulls then bring her back onto a circle and represent when she's back together again. Pull her up after jumps in a straight line as well so she doesn't learn to land, turn and pull - she has to wait for you to tell her what to do. You really need a good instructor in to keep the exercises relevant. I'd be careful about doing too much jumping with her at a young age. Doing some dressage with her will be a good footing as at basic level it's just rhythm, suppleness and impulsion - jumping is the same it's only dressage with jumps in the way afterall  |
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Post by carrie17491 on Aug 15, 2012 14:27:05 GMT
Time and schooling. My horse always used to be strong Jumping, I tried the gag route at the beginning and we just left legs dangling with our nose in the air. It was not fun and I don't recommend it. I had a lot of re-educating to do with him as the only thing he'd done before we bought him as a four year old was jump, he was started by loose jumping and was then sat on and jumped. Not the best start and it's taken a long time to re-educate him. I've spent the last five years working hard on my transitions, rhythm and his response. I've rarely jumped courses and never a single fence for schooling purposes. Grid work has been invaluable as well as teaching him to ride totally from my seat. He now jumps in a snaffle and martingale and has never jumped better. We took him out this morning to have a pop round a BS course. We weren't jumping huge, but he rode a nice double clear and I didn't have to touch his mouth once, it all came from leg and seat and he won not because he was going fast, but because he jumped a nice smooth fluid round. I've had to learn not to interfere with him though. If he's rushing slightly into a fence then I have to just sit and let him use his own brain to sort himself out, if I take a check then he will drop a leg. I have been guilty of killing the canter in the past when jumping, as it felt better, but in reality it wasn't active enough to jump from decently. If she's strong then I'd take her back a stage to nip it in the bud now. Back to schooling work. Pole work is useful too and some basic gridwork. Don't bother with a bit change and keep her noseband the same. Never jump a single fence when training for now, keep to grid work to keep her sitting up and thinking. Lots of transitions to keep her back end engaged, both full transitions between paces and transitions within the pace. I use lots of halt to canter, canter to halt with mine, but as yours is only young you don't want them that strenuous. With regards to her being strong, it takes two to pull. A useful exercise may well be the riding round jumps, when she settles let her jump, if she pulls then bring her back onto a circle and represent when she's back together again. Pull her up after jumps in a straight line as well so she doesn't learn to land, turn and pull - she has to wait for you to tell her what to do. You really need a good instructor in to keep the exercises relevant. I'd be careful about doing too much jumping with her at a young age. Doing some dressage with her will be a good footing as at basic level it's just rhythm, suppleness and impulsion - jumping is the same it's only dressage with jumps in the way afterall Thanks for this! I have bene looking for a dressage instructor as I want to get her going well on the flat before she does proper jumping. Once she realises what we are doing she fires up, she doesn’t rush the fence at all so canter poles wouldn’t really benefit us, she’s just very strong after the jump. I ask her to check back (half halt) and she does, then gets strong again. So much so I have blisters on my hands -.- I think though dressage will benefit her suppleness and ground work and I have thought about that before now. She doesn’t do like a full course lol she only jumps one at a time and I wont be doing gridwork with her just yet so need an alternative really. |
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Post by sageandonion on Aug 15, 2012 16:39:25 GMT
Now you know I always say snaffle, snaffle, snaffle! but I won't on this occasion. Try a waterford, maybe a kimblewick, depending on your horse. It is important that horse doesn't get strong and hurt herself or you.
Keep the fences small until confident and balanced. Hopefully you will find she will come back to you when more experienced.
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Post by GinaGeo on Aug 15, 2012 16:59:44 GMT
In that case I would stop her in a straight line after every fence using your voice and seat - so she learns not to run on. Stick to jumping her out of trot for now and only let her jump again when she's really listening to you. The bits S&O mentioned would be my preferences if a bit change really is necessary, but at this stage it does sound like a schooling issue. Blisters are not good, do you wear gloves?
Does she ever get strong on the flat?
You could do basic gridwork, three little cross bounces - they don't need to be big, build it up from ground poles, and don't expect too much too soon. You could do the exercise where you have two poles on the floor at a variable width, canter over the first and then stop before the second and then canter out again, starting off with walk and trot. Get her to start using her brain a bit more, so poles don't just mean jumping.
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Post by carrie17491 on Aug 16, 2012 7:43:25 GMT
No I don't wear gloves but I will be now! She's never strong on the flat, it's as soon as so much as a pole comes into view she gets very excited. There is no malice involved and I don't think she is doing it out of fear (rushing bolting etc - she does none of that), I think she just genuinly gets excited!
She is only jumping about 2ft as I don't want to over phase her, will try grid work and putting poles down. I think as well I will trot her to the jump and check her back before the approach. I don't really want to go down the route of changing her bit but I too don't want her hurting either one of us by getting too big for her boots!
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Post by GinaGeo on Aug 16, 2012 8:02:16 GMT
It might even be worth having just poles on the ground and then school round them. Occasionally, going over one when she's really listening to you. It'll stop her associating poles with jumping and going fast. You can then build them up into fences when she's being good with the poles. If she goes to rush or pull, then stop her and start again. Be consistent, praise her when she's good and finish on a good note and she'll soon learn.
It's alwasy nice when they're enthusiastic about it. Mine is too and is like an extra set missile XC and hunting. I never have any worries about stops or runouts. I just have to make sure he's still tuned into me, or it gets hairy. I've done all the exercises I've mentioned and they've all helped.
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Post by carrie17491 on Aug 16, 2012 11:00:46 GMT
It might even be worth having just poles on the ground and then school round them. Occasionally, going over one when she's really listening to you. It'll stop her associating poles with jumping and going fast. You can then build them up into fences when she's being good with the poles. If she goes to rush or pull, then stop her and start again. Be consistent, praise her when she's good and finish on a good note and she'll soon learn. It's alwasy nice when they're enthusiastic about it. Mine is too and is like an extra set missile XC and hunting. I never have any worries about stops or runouts. I just have to make sure he's still tuned into me, or it gets hairy. I've done all the exercises I've mentioned and they've all helped. definitely will try that, it's a great idea actually! I know, it's fab she loves what I'm asking her to do...she does sometimes run out if she knows she's got ahead of herself and rushhed it slightly. She is quite clever like that and I'm lucky that at a young age she knows this...although don't get me wrong she always tries 120%. She's green and so I'm willing to try and get her out of this habit now, I want her fast against the clock etc but not daft |
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Post by GinaGeo on Aug 16, 2012 11:10:39 GMT
The fastest rounds are the clever ones, where strides are taken out and the horse is well schooled and balanced enough to jump off a tight turn. But they have to be beautifully schooled to do it and not have poles down!
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Post by nici on Aug 17, 2012 12:53:27 GMT
So many people only bring jumps out when they're jumping! Our jumps are set up in the riding paddock all the time from spring until autumn. The kids ride around them, do the odd trot pole or trot over a tiny cross as part of their flatwork. So the transition from flatwork to jumping is seamless and the ponies don't get excited at the sight of jumps, although they enthusiastic (forward with pricked ears, but never strong) when jumping courses.
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vcl
Newbie
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Post by vcl on Aug 20, 2012 11:42:59 GMT
gridwork to get her listening and waiting for the jump. Have the jumps small enough so you can trot into them...if she gets too strong halt her then ask her to tro on. I agree with above about schooling around jumps even if not jumping too. It will desensitise her a bit.
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Post by speedysally on Aug 20, 2012 14:08:50 GMT
get doing some gridwork with her, it will work a treat.
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Post by mcw on Aug 20, 2012 15:43:44 GMT
My boy absolutley loves jumping! And he was really strong and still is some times, he's a loose ring snaffle. My friend is a showjumper and she has tought me that when he gets too strong, I have to pull him up to a complete stop and walk him up to the next fence and ask him to jump it from a trot about 2 strides before we take off (the jumps are only 65cm).
It took him a while to get used to the idea, but he now understands that being strong and not listening to me will result in him doing something more a lot more difficult, but he has gradually learned that he has to slow up and listen to me so we can keep a steady rythem instead of galloping round at 1 million mph!
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Post by carrie17491 on Aug 20, 2012 16:50:18 GMT
fab advice guys, will definitely school round the jumps. I can also work on my cirlcles etc for when we actually start jumping properly.
Had a thought, if I school her round jumps and she behaves etc maybe let her pop over it once the schooling is complete?
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Post by GinaGeo on Aug 20, 2012 21:50:42 GMT
Yes that would work, but if she starts pulling again, back to schooling. She needs to learn that jumping is only allowed when she's being good |
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Post by missbananas on Aug 21, 2012 10:41:32 GMT
Hope this helps... There is some great advise here and I've used these methods myself, I've had a few that were strong when jumping. Stay as relaxed as you can, time and patients is key-it will pay off in the end if you put the time in now, good jumping comes from flat work. I found having someone good on the ground is invaluable, always try and use a softer bit before you look at using a stronger one-it's amazing how this works. As well as all the methods already suggested try setting up trotting poles and ask your mare to stop in between them so she learns to wait for you! Let us know how you get on!!! Best of luck
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Post by gillwales on Aug 21, 2012 12:18:12 GMT
I agree with missbananas dont go for a stronger bit, my favourite is a loose ring french link. That avoids the nutcracker action. Use music to set a rhythm, avoid getting into schooling habits.. unless of course they are good ones!, vary the work you do to stop your mare anticipating.
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Post by missbananas on Aug 22, 2012 8:56:58 GMT
Hey, I forgot to say lots of praise when she gets it right, everyone likes to be told they've done a good job, another good exercise is to put poles round the edge of the ménage ( stride them properly for you mare so she doesn't trip and hurt herself) and flat school as normal as if they are not there- this will teach her to concentrate on where her feet are and encourage carefulness but also stop her thinking poles mean jump, ONLY do this if you can keep her steady as if she gets to quick she could trip, introduce one or two poles down each long side to start and build up til you have as many as you are comfortable with.
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Post by carrie17491 on Aug 28, 2012 13:57:00 GMT
just an update, we're not really getting anywhere just yet, she's still getting very strong in the school so have gone back to basics and doing lots of walk to trot transitions.
I have also put her back in the bit I broke her in which is a full cheek snaffle with a copper roller (french link) and she is getting totally above the bit in the snaffle and just setting off and rushing.
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Post by missbananas on Aug 28, 2012 14:51:01 GMT
Elastic standing martingale? Or a marketharbrough? I used one on a very strong mare and a 17.3 Irish draught I used to jump. Just used a loose ring copper snaffle with a peanut shaped lozenge and the marketharbrough, eventually we took it off the mare but always used it on the big gelding. Still need to do all the schooling though!! Stick at it you'll get there, time and patients xx
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Post by carrie17491 on Aug 28, 2012 17:06:51 GMT
Elastic standing martingale? Or a marketharbrough? I used one on a very strong mare and a 17.3 Irish draught I used to jump. Just used a loose ring copper snaffle with a peanut shaped lozenge and the marketharbrough, eventually we took it off the mare but always used it on the big gelding. Still need to do all the schooling though!! Stick at it you'll get there, time and patients xx well i think i spoke too soon, i took her in the school and she was a tad strong so i let up the contact and she was fantastic. When she had worked in she became less strong and accepting of the contact. So I then let her pop a jump (as I'd put it up to school her around) and she was amazing. She wasn't perfect, but so much better! xx |
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wilbs
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Post by wilbs on Aug 28, 2012 17:09:54 GMT
More flat work - get her controlled on the flat and listening to you, then small jumps in a balanced canter maintaining the rhythm until it become second nature. Grids sharpen them up don't slow them down and stronger bits etc just have to keep getting stronger.
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Post by GinaGeo on Aug 28, 2012 17:40:10 GMT
Elastic standing martingale? Or a marketharbrough? I used one on a very strong mare and a 17.3 Irish draught I used to jump. Just used a loose ring copper snaffle with a peanut shaped lozenge and the marketharbrough, eventually we took it off the mare but always used it on the big gelding. Still need to do all the schooling though!! Stick at it you'll get there, time and patients xx well i think i spoke too soon, i took her in the school and she was a tad strong so i let up the contact and she was fantastic. When she had worked in she became less strong and accepting of the contact. So I then let her pop a jump (as I'd put it up to school her around) and she was amazing. She wasn't perfect, but so much better! xx Glad to hear you're seeing an improvement. |
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Post by carrie17491 on Aug 28, 2012 18:38:47 GMT
ive put some pics up of her jumping in the picture post ;D
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Post by missbananas on Aug 28, 2012 19:30:11 GMT
Well done!!!!!! I'm so pleased!!!!!!
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