I am having trouble "seeing the distance"to each jump?

Question

my horse rushes toward the jump and it makes it difficult to get into my half-seat over a jump even though I have no trouble with it on the flat. Any ideas to help?

Answer 1

try counting every stride up to the jump from a certian point. try to get the same number every time and then slowly decrease to what you want it to be. if its two jumps, then count 1, 2, 3, then when you land right after the jump say land 1, 2, 3, 4, then go over the other jump. so its like   1, 2, 3, land, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, land

Answer 2

For seeing the distance, if you're thinking about it, you're probably doing it wrong. Look over the jump and don't concentrate on the obstacle, but look to the end of your line. If it helps, choose a point and pretend there's another jump there to ride to.

That said, if you don't make a big deal of the jump, your horse will probably be less likely to rush towards it. Half halting a few strides beforehand is a good idea, but make sure not to pull to the jump, as this will make your horse pull and run.

Try doing poles and making the jumps slowly larger if you're having trouble getting into your half seat. Get into position a stride or so ahead if possible, and cut down on that after awhile.

Answer 3

If he rushes, don't let him. Make circles and half halts before the jump until he calms down and if he pulls on you towards the jump, stop him afterwards and back him up. We did A LOT of that with my horse, and now he has a consistant pace to each jump. Never rushes, never slows down. Also be in your half seat before the jump. Keep two pointing and that will make it easier. I always canter two point all the way to jumps because they do it in hunters, and I need it for my horse.

Answer 4

The first problem is your horse rushing the fence.  Put some ground poles out before the jump so that it forces him to slow down and give him a BIG half halt (or if you have to, half halt every other stride).  The ground poles will help him back off and help you "see" your distance.

Answer 5

Half Halt

or take all the poles down and ride through the stardards ( or the thing that holds the poles up) as if you were jumping then walk your horse in between the jumps so that he will let you take your time

You can always trick the horse and all of a sudden ask him to stop on the spot or circle

Answer 6

count the strides

Answer 7

You need more hands to slow him down, but also more leg to keep the impulsion. Get his head down so he is on the bit.

You need to be practicing this in the flat arena, not whilst you are jumping.

Get a nice compact short strided canter, this is the stride you want right now on an approach to a fence, don't allow him to race off when he is 3 or 4 strides off the fence.

Also do lots of gridwork and practice bounce exercises, this will stop that run away leaping!!!

Good luck!

Answer 8

To help yourself see a stride, set out poles before a jump the correct strides for your horse. Go over this a few times then take them away, little by little. Practise looking at jumps and have a gues at how many strides there is, then set poles out the smae distance as your horses stride. Keep doing this over different jumps until you get it right every time.

To get into your position before a jump (this works for me) count to yourself, sit,sit,sit,sit,up! Remeber to let the horse have its head when jumping. If this doesn't work try doing a half-halt before the jump.

Answer 9

Keep the jumps low for a while, and do LOTS of gymnastic work to slow him down and make him think about where he is putting his feet. Also, a series of trot or canter poles leading up to a crossrail or small verticle will help you keep rhythm. And remember, if you are tense through your body, chances are your horse is too. If your horse is rushing I would expect the tension to be in your arms. Make sure your arms stay elastic and relaxed. These should help!

Answer 10

To make your horse stop rushing, give him a half halt before you go over the jump. The reason he's rushing, could be caused by you. If you know the horse well and have been jumping and are comfortable with it, then just go with the half halt thing.

Answer 11

try a different bit and maby even draw reins. also try counting down from 3-2-1 when you are 3 strides away from the jump. it is not the horses fault . get in jumping position earlier and faster.(at the base of the jump is the best but earlier is ok)

Answer 12

try half-haulting before the jump, and also try lunging over jumps, if he calms down on the lunge, her should start to calm down under saddle.

also if you have trouble seeing the stride, dont look for it, most of the time you will make the jump worse, just let you horse figure it out himself, and it is more likely you will get a better jump if you balance your horse and let him do the rest