Jumping a Horse?

Question

I really like to learn how to jump, but I'm to scared to jump? Any Advice?

Answer 1

Start with ground poles. First you can walk over them, then trot, and when you're ready, canter. Then you can make it bigger by putting the poles in a group: have 3 on the ground together without a space inbetween them, like this: |||. Because there's more poles, your horse will have to make a bigger step to get over them and you'll feel more of a bounce. after that, you can take one of those 3 poles and put it in the middle on top of the other 2. That way you have a very very small jump. And once you master that, you shouldn't be scared anymore and you can start doing small crossrails!
oh, for all of that, you can start by walking over the poles, then trotting, then canter only when you're ready.

I taught both myself and my horse to jump this summer by doing that (which probably wasn't the safest idea I've ever had, but it worked)!

It really is better if you have an instructor who can help you with what you're doing well and what you need to improve and they would know when you are ready to move up to the next level. But there's really nothing dangerous about ground poles, so you're not going to get hurt without an instructor.

Good luck!!

Answer 2

Adding small fences into your normal work routine at this point is just fine! Starting with just poles on the ground and then elevating them to ask her to really streach her gait is a great way to start. Then you can add some little cross rails, and then some verticals. I would recomend staying around 2' or so for now. Let her learn the basics properly before you ask her to do more. But adding a few fences in now and then will help keep her mind occupied. These 3 year olds can start to get very bored doing basic flat work in the arena every day. So mixing it up with a little jumping one day, and a trail ride the next will help keep their minds fresh and more open to training. Do keep in mind the amount of jumping is more dangerous than the height. Just because it's a cross rail doesn't mean you can have her jump it 15-20 times during your half hour/hour ride. Limit yourself to 5-10 jumps per ride, and only jump 2 rides a week. This will help ensure you don't over do it with your young girl! Also be sure that you're jumps are safe. You want a good sturdy jump that will stand up to a nudge and a bump, but will give when you need it to. No makeshift jumps, safety should always come first! On that note... don't forget you helmet!

Answer 3

My son was always so nervous .All his brothers riding around him also made him more nervous even on our little shetland he wouldn't trot ( this was up to about eight being led then he stopped altogether ) I broke I a couple of ponies for the big boys and when Hal got 12 he started very gingerly riding the quieter 14.2hh just at a trot and a tiny canter up a hill around a small field . A neighbour called once and we stood watching and he remarked how sensitive he looked . And so it has turned out My big boys never ride now and Hal at 17 wants me to give him lessons and is worrid about his seat and etc . He jumps and really rides rather well now and is potentially very good as he is so sensitive but his first love will always be the piano.
Try cantering up a hill if you can be led of another horse that will give you enormous confidence as you don't have to control the horse as well as cope with yourself and its not so monotonous as going round and round a manege. Get some miles under your belt chatting and seeing the countryside will make you relax and all of a sudden you will be riding naturally .
Jumping is best started in a manege or on the lunge get the feel over something small . I am sure you can find a good teacher who will not push you . Riding is not a macho thing and you will probably make a better rider in the end than the ones who can stick on and think the rodeo riders are the best .
BE CAREFUL YOU FIND AN UNDERSTANDING TEACHER

Answer 4

First, find someone with experience to watch and give you constructive criticism. You need someone to tell you how you look.
Start by trotting over poles.Once you've mastered this, go into two point (move your hands up the neck and lean forward) and go over them again. Now get two jumping standards. Put the pole on the first hole on the standard, the one nearest the ground. At a trot, go over the fence, two pointing in the air.. Once you are comfortable doing this, and your instructor says you look good, try cantering it. Its best to start on a well mannered horse. When you kind of have a feel of where to two point, and your instructor agrees, try raising the pole a hole or two. You'll find that the jumps surprisingly are very similar, there is just more time in the air. As your ability increases, and your comfort level, you can keep raising the jumps. But make sure you get an experienced instructor. A good teacher is gold, and a well mannered horse is priceless.
Happy jumping!

Answer 5

You need to become comfortable enough on the horse to do everything else. If youa re losing your stirrups at the canter, you are not good enough yet. Focus right now on perfecting what you can already do.

Once you feel good about riding, cantering, position, and two point you are ready to jump. You can start out as the above answers said by laying a pole on the ground, trot over it and work on two point over it. Once you are fine and the horse is ok, you can canter it, practise two point at the right distance and geting your horse the correc distance away to take it in stride. You can then raise it very slowly

Don't be afraid, relax, it is really not as big a deal as you may feel it is.

Answer 6

Just go out for some English riding lessons at a Riding Academy or Stable that offers lessons, take a class to prepare for Hunter Hack classes at local Horse show; Some Stables will rent lesson horses, others require you to have your own horse. The excercises combine flat work and low jumps the concentration is on form, it's so much fun and great excercise. Have fun!

Answer 7

relax and start off small doing ground logs at a jog then gradually get higher and faster. I jumped for a Year and I was scared to start also but once I started doing it I got more confidence. Just relax and Have fun, Trust the horse and keep your balance. If you fall off Get back on and try again dont end the day on a bad note. Its Loads Of fun. Good Luck

Answer 8

don't let people tell you that you can't. just start out slow with ground poles and trot them first. always just trot to start. by the time you are actually ready to canter the jumps, you'll have the stirrup problem solved. but yeah, start with ground poles then you can move up to very small cross rails and soon enough you'll be jumping 2 foot

Answer 9

Go over smaller ones first and go slow. Thats how i learned. And ride a horse that you feel comfortable with. The wrong horse will make you feel real uneasy. Higher a trainer also to give you tips.

Answer 10

Just believe in yourself and make sure you have an instructor with you in case of and emergency.Stay relaxed. and make sure you horse is an experienced jumper. Make sure you are in two point so you do not hurt your horses back.