Is there a way to get my horse to trust me more whenever there is a new jump and she tries to refuse it?

Question

Even if its not scary, she is always scared when there is a new jump in front of her. I have a jumper show coming up and i would like her to trust me over new jumps...

Answer 1

When you practice at home, just do many different jumps.  Make the jumps out of different materials, and always make new courses.  In fact, you might want to practice more on the ground so that she learns to follow your instruction.  You also might want to try going back to the jumping basics.  Only do one or two jumps for the day (and she should do them nice), and then stop jumping for the day.  But make sure that these jumps are always different, and always a bit more complicated.  She will figure out that if she does a nice job, then she gets rewarded.  

When you go to jump, you need to be confident.  You need to feel your horse and the jump.  Just sit and wait for her to lift you up.  Ride to the jump with no intention of backing out.  You need to say "We can do this", and you have to mean it.  If you feel this way, then so will she.  You need to set your horse up so that she is nice and prepared for the jump.  When you get to the jump make sure you have her body and your body in the right position.  She needs to be lined up for the jump.  You should keep your leg on her so you can urge her on.  Make sure your reins are set for the right length, and feel her strides.  It is very important to feel your horse's stride so that you can tell if you need to add a stride or not.  Just be patient, it will come with time.

Answer 2

just keep trying her over a range of different jumps, aswel as heights. Jump anything and everything.. straw bales.... barrels...buckets... uprights... spreads...... the more you practice the better she will be. Try to persuade her to jump, or really 'push' her into them. good luck

Answer 3

Let her know that everything is alright, that she can trust you and you wouldnt make her do something you knew wasnt safe.

At horse shows that I attend, whenever one of our horses attending the show is scared of a jump or something in the area, we would have that horse and some of the other horses (they all know eachother of course) walk over to the area so that they can observe it and learn that its not going to eat them. When they feel more calm around the object/area, phraise them and pat them, letting them know that they are being very good.

Before doing a course, you should walk your horse over to the jump, and letting your horse sniff it, and pat your horse while he does so. Make sure that theres another horse around that your horse knows, that way, your horse wont feel as insecure.

Horses get spooked from things easily b/c they would be considered as prey in the wild. Therefore, they have to always be alert about the slightest things, so they dont get eaten.

I hope this helped!

Answer 4

Need a bit more info as to how long you've owned her.  Has this always been an issue.  Try talking to her when she gets to a new jump and practice a lot at home so she gets used to your voice and finds it soothing.

Answer 5

first teach it on the ground.  advance and retreat.don't force

use parelli methods

parelli.com

Answer 6

I agree with Lenore that you need to continually be changing your jumps at home so that jumping a new jump is routine, and not a source of stress. You also need to be sure to ride positively forward to the jump, but be sure to send her forward with the leg not by leaning which will put you both out of balance. Do not let her turn away from the jump until she jumps it. Back up if you have to get another try at it, but do not turn away. She needs to learn that the only way out is over the jump. This may not be a trust issue as much as an obediance issue.