Jumping problems...?

Question

Hi, as you know i have a loan horse called Dancer. Shes great except i have a fear of jumping. The last horse i jumped i fell off and broke my arm. So im a bit nervous, i love it im just think ill fall off and that im rubbish. Ive attached some pictures which arnt very good cause there off a paused video. Sorry. Click on the link -

http://mysharehorse.piczo.com/?g=1&preview=y&cr=2

How is my jumping posistion?

Any ideas to make me feel more confident?

Thanks, Jade. :)

Answer 1

Personally I think the best years for horses  to jump are between 6 and 13.  Horses get used up really fast when they jump, particularly if there is even the slightest bit of a conformation defect.  At 17, if he's been jumping many years, you'd do better to find another... here's why:

This horse really doesn't like to jump.... hanging her front legs.  And she looks as if she is resentful when she lands, likely because she hurts.... the beginning of navicular, perhaps.  Maybe not bad enough to show up on a radiograph, but she's not liking it.

Nice mare, I think I'd start just showing in eq. and pleasure, and dump the jumping with this one.  Find yourself a younger one that likes it.  And if you are falling off and breaking things, YOU need more flat work anyway... maybe years of it.  Then start over with lower jumps...and as I said, on a younger animal.

Answer 2

Try not to come out of the saddle too much when you jump so your not practically standing in your stirrups

nobody's forcing you to jump... take it at your own speed and work your way up to the higher jumps

good luck