How do I get a horse to jump when he is afraid of the jumps <poles>?

Question

I want to teach my horse to jump and he is ok to walk over poles on the ground but he takes a good long look and he is very scare of jumping over them. Also if he touches it on accident he freaks out. <<I dont want to be thrown forward and off because of this problem>> I dont want him to STOP right before and throw me off!

any ideas?

Answer 1

How comfortable do you feel in the saddle?  I have some suggestions for you, but if you feel like you might come out of the saddle if your horse steps sideways at the last second or refuses the jump, I would get a more experienced horseman to teach your horse to jump.

First off, you must learn to forget your fears and let your horse know that you intend to jump this fence.  DON&#039;T EVER look at the fence.  Pick a spot past the fence and focus on it.  Make sure you stay centered over the horse and sink your heels down into the stirrups to stay in the saddle if the horse spooks.

So here&#039;s what you should do:

1.  Ride your horse all around the jump, (not over it) cantering past it both ways and periodically stopping to let the horse examine the jump.  Your horse must be comfortable approaching the jump and sniffing it before you attempt to jump it.

2.  Once you have let your horse get comfortable moving around the jump, try to jump it.  Make sure it is very low (preferable ground poles).  Stay in the jumping position and think to yourself &quot;We are going to go over this jump&quot;.  If your horse has a tendency to run out in a certain direction, keep the leg on that side against your horse&#039;s body so discourage him from going in that direction.  Be sure not to think about what could go wrong.  Stay balanced, stay close the saddle, sink into your heels, and look ahead.  BE CONFIDENT.  If your horse senses your determination to go over the jump, he will be more likely to comply.  

Also remember that your horse may take a very big jump over the obstacle in an attempt to &quot;avoid&quot; it.  Be ready to do with him if he does.

Good Luck!  If ever you don&#039;t feel comfortable doing this, find a more experienced person to help you out.  There&#039;s no shame in wanting to stay safe.

Answer 2

maybe you could lunge him over the poles first, start with 1, then maybe 2. see how it goes.

Answer 3

Have someone hand lead you while you are riding over the poles on the ground.  Sometime they need assurance. Take your time.

http://www.saferhorseracing.com/gpage5.h...

Answer 4

there are a few ways to do this, but it depends on how you and your horse react to situations. I think it&#039;s not only your horse, but it sounds like you&#039;ve fallen off of him before, and it seems like your a little wary. Horses will pick up on that at all times, so for your safety and for the sake of your horse, you must leave your fears behind!

here&#039;s the few ways you can try, i suggest the last one if your horse has a real phobia of jumps:

*have a friend come by and lead you and your horse over poles and little cross railss, this takes time, so don&#039;t expect to be jumping after the first day!

*have a friend ride with you, somone who consitantly jumps, and their horse is not afriad of the jumps, have your horse stand near the jump, and have your friend ride over it several times, showing your horse that it&#039;s okay.  then have your horse follow theirs over the jump, and then see what happens.

*your horse might just be afraid of the way the jumps look. instead of using poles, try to go find small falled down trees and bring them into the arena, and have your horse walk over those.  if he&#039;s okay with logs and smaller sticks, then go and get a pole that&#039;s wood, but not painted. work your way up to painted jumps so that he&#039;s not frightened.

*get racing blinkers and use them on him so he&#039;s not distracted by anything else around him and see what happens.

*sit on your horse and go next to the jump. have him look at it for as long as he needs, be patient. walk him all around the jump, and walk him slowly up to the jump and let him examine it carefully and sniff it.  then, back him up to it. (make sure they&#039;re poles). walk him backwards over the jump, so that he can&#039;t see them, and then when you&#039;re in the midst of them, stop. let him look around and let him see that he&#039;s in the poles and that it&#039;s okay. then go all the way through backwards. keep repeating this until he&#039;s comfortable walking through them backwards, and then try going though them forewards.

Answer 5

How experienced are you ?

What are you ridding

I think think this question belongs to a pro

You need to take time with him

If your not sure neither will he be

How old is your horse! and you

please edit more thanks !!

Again You are not confident enough to do it by your self

Get some lessons

See we can not see you or your horse or the back ground of both of you ,

so this is really hard to tell you what to do when it just might be your seat and your level of ridding

Horses will do these things sometimes be cause your Not guiding them thru it

Never leave it up to the horse, when you do not know how to do it !

Hope that helps

Almost everyone blames the horse and not them.

They where not born knowing ,,

Think about that