Jumping - beginner?

Question

Ok. So I have been riding western for most of my life and just now have the craving to jump. So my parents bought me an english jumping saddle, but they ride western so they can't teach me. My horse, Snowflake, is a 13.2hh western POA. How can I teach her to start jumping? What methods should I use that work on cavelettis and jumps.

Answer 1

First ensure your horse has a good conformation for jumping ie she has strong legs and back.

Get tack that fits perfectly for both the horse and you.

Horses should never start their jumping career too quickly so spend time getting your horse fit by hacking, doing flat work etc. Lungeing a horse long and low is a great way to improve its balance, strength and obedience. It will also get them more supple. Lunge young horses at least twice a week (only 15-20 min. sessions)

Flat work is crucial to any discipline so spend lots of time on it.

Start with poles on the ground. Once flatwork is done trotting and cantering pole can be introduced. This teaches the horse to look at the poles and improves balance. The horse will learn to adjust its body and to place their feet in-between the poles. This is therefore very important and lots of time should be spent doing this.

Praise the horse every time it doesn't rush over the poles and stays calm.

When confident that your horse has mastered the cantering poles raise them slighty to form cavaletties. Be sure that they are safe and won't frighten the horse if he steps on one by mistake. All these exercises should be done for quite a while before starting with actual jumping.

Free jumping helps the horse to become confident in itself, allowing it to develop its technique and become jumping fit without the extra burden of a rider.

The first jumping exercise: place 3 cantering poles (3.7m apart) on each side of the little jump. The cantering poles will help the horse re-balance and keep its rhythm after a jump. Start small and raise the poles only when the horse is confident enough and be patient.

Answer 2

I look at some of these answers and people are assuming you know how to ride English - two point, posting trot etc. (Maybe I am wrong to assume you do not ) If you do not know therse things, find someone in your area that can give you lessons. You need to be solid and comfortable in an Englsih saddle before attempting jumps. (a true forward seat or jumping saddle was not the best choice by the way - an all purpose saddle would be a better for learning in.)
Start with trotting poles as suggested. If Snowflake is already brave and forgiving of you making a mistake one in awhile there is nothing wrong with popping over the odd pile of bush or cavaletti from time to time. Keep it fun, not just work. And keep it safe - wear a helmet!

Answer 3

Have you ridden English before? A good start for both of you would be some lessons.
You will want to get comfortable and balanced at the trot (sitting and rising) and canter before attempting to jump. If you cannot find anyone to give lessons in your area start with some ground poles placed 4 to 4 1/2 feet apart. You will need to try the distance a few times before you get it just right for his stride. Best to have a helper on the ground for this.
Ground or trotting poles teach a horse balance,rhythm and to be mindful of where they are placing their feet. All things required before starting to safely jump. You as the rider also require balance and rhythm over poles before going onto jumps. Nothing worse than banging about on your pony's back and mouth.
Once your pony happily trots over the poles add a cavaletti or raised pole (put it up on a cinder block) at the end - 8 to 10 inches high to start. Your pony should be able to trot or 'bounce' over this. Keep it small to build his confident. You don't have to do this every day. Add it into your riding program gradually. It will keep him interested and fresh. If you rush into jumping you could scare or sour him and create problems.
Hit the library/book store and look for some Pony Club Manuals. http://www.ponyclub.org/ They have great advice for young riders on starting over poles and jumps.

Have fun but be patient and keep Snowflake happy!

Answer 4

go to the library and get some books, they will give you info and show you pictures of jumps you can build to practice on (small ones) do you have any riding schools or clubs in your area that you can take some lessons from? contrary to other answer, you do not want to start a young horse jumping - their knees are not fully formed until after 5 - to do so would only cause damage down the line. i grew up with a 13hh pony, he could jump higher than most horses
have fun & good luck

Answer 5

that is so involved, that it would be impossible to teach from the beginning, on this forum. However, this video gets great reviews, as nearly as good as a personal trainer> http://www.horsetackreview.com/review-display/1025.html

this is a good starter tutorial> http://lorienstable.com/articles/jumping/150-the_horse/

As comment to the above comment. I trained my horse to jump when he was 8 or 9 years old..and teaching him complicated dressage moves at 11 years.. I think they are always willing to learn with the right motivation..
My friend runs a breeding stable. He was consigned to show an untrained stallion in western pleasure..The horse was 17 years old, and barely green broke..He had been in pasture wth no riding since he was 3 years old..He did win in western pleasure in just a season..at 18 years old..

Answer 6

Well... I would start with a lot of free jumping in a round pen. That will teach your horse to get its balance when going over and on the landing, with out weight on his back.
Do a lot of flat work on him as well where you are practicing your two point seat at a canter and a trot. You also should do a lot of riding without stirups... Posting without stirups to be exact. Also practice dropping your stirups at a canter and then pick them back up in the canter.
This is important because if you can not pick up your stipups at a canter, then you are not ready to jump quite yet.
There is a book called 101 jumping exercises. I really recommend it. It will show you exercises to do with your pony.

I believe you can do this, I watch kids all the time training their horses to jump. I think they are truely amazing. One girl went on to ride her horse in the "A" circuit and won and placed quite frequently. She did so well she sold her pony for 6 digits.

Lessons can't hurt either mind you.
Good luck and remember me when you are riding in the Olympics. :)

Answer 7

How to Jump On Horseback
http://www.ehow.com/how_185_jump-horseback.html

The younger the horse is, the better according to what I read. However, some people have trained horses to jump at an older age. Sometimes it may cause discomfort though...

Answer 8

just work on getting her to trot smoothy through stuff