Ok so I had my first jumping lesson in years today and it went quite well... except for the fact that it was raining. Anyway, I ran into the same problems I used to run into at my old stable when I jumped... mainly, Lux getting too forward between jumps. Also, after the last jump he acted like he wanted to buck. What are your suggestions for fixing/working on this? I'm practicing for a hunter hack show coming up so consistency in stride is pretty important.

Sit more deeply on your approach.

Pole, jump, pole combinations to slow him

Perfect your automatic release

Jump one, two three then four jumps on a circle. Circling near a jump and only approaching it when he's 100% relaxed in his gait.

Halt on a straight line on approach & landing from individual jumps as your jump whole courses.

Demanding gymnastics, where if he rushes, he eats rails.

Just a few suggestions you can work on with your trainer. Also, I wouldnt' make a habit of jumping in the rain. Too dangerous, unless you're talking about a slight drizzle the first half hour after days of sunshine..

I have a young OTTB and while he is not as quick as many of the ones I have worked with I want to start him off on the right hoof. We are working on an excerise with my trainer where we trot a X with ground pole on the front and back side and then there is a bending left and bending right line with trot poles in front. I canter 4 or 5 strides then trot the second fence alternating between the left and right option. It has made a big difference and I know a lot of it is because I'm not looking for a distance and am able to balance him on his haunches during the downward transitions. We did this the other day and I couldn't beleive how soft he has gotten over the fence. I think the lightbulb might be flicker in his head (and mine). We also do a ton of gymnastics with lots of ground rails. I can't wait to go back for another lesson this weekend. That was my last homework assignment so I can't wait to see what we are able to tackle this weekend.

I would do a lot of jump the fence from a trot, halt, turn and jump the same fence. WHen he can do that calmly, I would try canter, halt, turn, canter fence, halt. Pretty soon, they realize that they are not going anywhere in a hurry, so no point to rush.

Sounds like he is getting excited and anticipating the fences. Once he can calmly do one fence, then try a line, halt, do the same line...slowly building your way up. Also, instead of spending a whole day jumping, I would just add in a few jumps into your flat work...make it "no big deal".

If he is running away from you down the line, then that is a FLAT WORK issue (IMO), and NOT a "jumping" issue per se. He needs to be more responsive to your rhythm and commands.

Taxi used to go crazy about anything, that includes ground poles. I would trot up to a single fence, half halting if he changes his pace, and halt as soon as you can after the jump. If Lux is mostly good this should only take a few lessons, if he is as crazy as my nutty OTTB it will take a few months. Hey, we still have to work on that sometimes. Thank goodness I don't aspire to be a Hunter.

Maybe Im waterlogged today. Can you explain your exercise again? I'm not quite understanding the fence placement when you say bending line options left and right...

Are the 2nd jump (choices) angled? Are you approaching them straight on, or jumping actually at an angle..

I think my brain is broken today. Your exercise sounds interesting but I just can't visualize it.. especially when you say trot poles in front of the 2nd obstacles..

Sorry.

Thanks for the suggestions! They sounds great. I'll have to work on some of them.

Oh and about the raining... we have an indoor arena, so we werent jumping IN the rain. It just sucked outside.

I am also kind of confused about your exercise. Can you explain it again?

Thanks! That's exactly what's happening. He is definitely getting excited and anticipating the fences. On the flat he is very responsive to my aids. So responsive that I have felt safe enough to take his curb chain off. Lux is one of those horses that will take advantage of you if you let him or are a beginner. Now that I've gotten good enough to have control of him on the flat, I'm back to the beginner stages in jumping. So I have to figure out ways to convey to him that he cannot take advantage of me when we are jumping.

Just to add: In my lesson, we were doing a line of two jumps, about 60 ft apart. After the jumps Lux would act like he wanted to buck but I was able to get him under control in about two strides.

hahaha I'm with you there! Unfortunately, the shows I'm doing this summer are hunter shows!!! I would much rather do show jumping and cross country in eventing than hunters. But regardless of what kind of jumping we do, we all have to be able to control our horses. Thanks!

I'll try to better explain the bending line exercise...
The X should be placed in the center with placement poles in front and behind. Then 6 or 7 strides out (for mine I have one set at 6 and the other at seven)place the second fence on a diagonal - it is on a slight bend so that my horse can't land and immediately focus on a jump in front of him. Basically, I land go straight for two/three strides and then angle him to the second fence. Make sure his body stays straight and then through to the downward transition.
If I were to draw it (please use your imagination here)----

................/....................\.................





.........................X.........................
I put placement poles on the second fence so that everything is set up for my horse to suceed and limit my interference. I set my placement poles at 9' but you may need to adjust yours based on your horses stride.