Okay, so when i jump...?

Question

when i jump my mare[bree] 2'6" or under, my legs are in a close-to-perfect position.. but when i jump 3' they fly backwords going over the jump... my upper body is still all good and my waste and everything are at the proper place, its just my legs that fly backwords...

a.is this supposed to happen?

b.if not, how can i stop doing it??

thanks..

Answer 1

the thing you need to do is keep your heels down, they are probally up and your toes are bracing for the jump, have your close- to- perfect position with your 3' like you do with your 2'6" except keep her heels down alot more you wont loose your balance

Answer 2

My advice is do as much riding as you can without your stirrups, both jumping and flat work. It's made my riding sooo much better! It's as simple as that, hope it helps. :)

Answer 3

Ok I know exactly what you're talking about. This could be one of two things the way I see it:

1.your mare could be jumping rounder as the jumps get higher, so it throws you off balance when she rounds and your feet fly back

2.You may not be leaning into 2 point pisition far enough, and not stepping FORWARD with yoru heel hard enough. A good excercise for this is to practice over trot or canter poles and each time you go over them practice STEPPING DOWN HARD into your heel. Next time you take a 3 foot jump with her get the same exact feeling andsee if it helps :)))

Answer 4

It sounds to me like you are getting too forward over the jump and losing your lower leg in the process. Don't feel like you have to shoot forward to help your horse...she will clear the fence just fine without your extra push ;-)

Riding & jumping without stirrups can definitely help cure this but make sure you are ready...even very strong riders have trouble jumping without stirrups. Also, when jumping without stirrups try not to sit back too soon.  

Answer 5

I think you're just not  going with the motion quite as well. Your mare is jumping higher, stronger to get over that fence, and it's more of an upward motion, whereas you're used to a foreword motion. I wonder if you switched up your release, if it would help. Are you doing automatic releases?

Also, make sure you're not just tensing up for the "big" jump, and that you're not overjumping.

Answer 6

They aren't supposed to do that. I think that it is due in part to your mare rolling back on her back feet alot when she jumps, and hence you trying to stay on so putting your feet back more. I would try gripping with your knees and calves. Maybe even grip with your heels if you have to. If you cannot control it using that method, then just don't worry about it. It is an understandable problem that will fix itself over time.