Running Through Jumps..?

Question

My horse runs through jumps that are too small for him.. how can I stop this?

Answer 1

WHY ARE YOU JUMPING TOO SMALL JUMPS FOR HIM? JUST TRY A BIT HIGHER :)

Answer 2

Like most people have said, you should try slowing your horse down before "jumping" the obstacle.  We have this problem with many of the horses at the camp I work at and we actually do the opposite at times [It depends on the horse].  Many of the horses are just lazy and will trot 'high' over the jumps, so we make them canter and then they'll jump, so try that.  You can also try putting spaced poles in front of the obstacle, in order to make your horse pay attention more and perhaps he'll be more obediant.

I doubt that your horse can't see the jumps, as horses have great vision and you should definitely not just jump higher.  Every horse needs practice with low and high fences, so keep doing what you are doing.

You could also try lunging your horse over some jumps.  Use one higher jump and one at a height he usually runs through and see if he starts to understand that he has to jump both.

I doubt your horse is attempting to disobey you, but rather he knows what will take the least amount of energy and he does that action.  They're smart animals and they know what they can get away with, so correct him every time he does this.

I'm curious as to how old your horse is and how many hands high he is at this point.  If he's on the younger side, he may just be inexperienced, but if he's older, he might just have a lazy streak.  Try giving him an extra kick right before the jump and that might make him pay more attention to you and what you're asking.  Good luck!

Answer 3

Shorten the approach and work on impulsion. Never give him a long run-in to it. Make him concentrate on what he is doing. Approach slowly - in trot if necessary.

Answer 4

Make a short approach and kick and put your heals down! and get him over that jump. You are the boss of him. You are the driver, not the passenger. Always be a step ahead of him.

Answer 5

Use solid jumps or a hay bale.   Maybve he's not "seeing" the lower jumps ?  Circle and let him see it or walk him up to the jump & then try to take him over it.

Answer 6

try building some gymnastics. even if they're low, he'll have to  slow down and jump to avoid whacking his legs. Are your pole wood or pvc? If they aren't wood, get some nice heavy wooden ones. Smart horses learn that they don't need to jump pvc because it doesn't hurt to go through it.

Answer 7

before the jump do a circle and half halt and kick a little before. i have also had people tell me that about two or three strides from the jump, stop, then go back to the trot/canter from there and jump because the horse gets rather confused and basically has to jump over it. sometimes it works, sometimes it teaches them to stop. just depends on what kind of rider you are but for me it works.

good luck