Trying jumpers..?

Question

Hey everyone, I've been thinking. I can't see Laredo (my horse) doing higher rated shows because he has an issue with being pony strided and I would have to run him down the lines just to get the correct strides without adding. He isn't the best mover in the trot either. So I'm thinking since looks, short stridedness, doesn't matter in jumpers why not try it with Laredo? Problem is that I've put fourth so much towards hunters & eq with him. Plus Laredo is very complicated. Say I go around a jumper course, of course faster than a hunter course. I'm going to have severe difficulties doing jumpers then wanting to go around a course slow, like a hunter course, if that makes sense? If he does only one course fast, he's always going to want to go fast, and I'm going to have a hard time slowing him down and I can definately see him getting stronger. Any opinons, suggestions, are gladly accepted.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=hidyX3de_g0

Answer 1

I love your videos!!! That was amazing. I love the shorts that you ride him barback in. I've always wanted to jump bareback! Your join up looks really good too.

Don't really understand the question. He looks good to me....

Go Laredo!!!!!

Answer 2

Well, the only way to know is to find out. He looks like you can push his 'go' button more, and thus great for jumpers. In most shows that I go to, the jumpers are after the hunters. But it would work for you if jumpers were first because you could tire him out for hunters. But I'd just experiment at home. Set up a coarse that can be both hunters and jumpers (ie: you can take tight turns or you can not), and first try it jumpers. After you do that a few times, slow him down and take him the hunter way.

There are very little horses that can do both hunters AND jumpers. If you've put so much work into him as a hunter, just think if you want to challenge him and have him a new job or challenge him by doing both? Honestly in jumpers, it only matters about going clean than how fast really in the lower levels. If you speed him up more, it wouldn't really be a problem in hunters. I have seen a jumper horse win Champion in every hunter division he enters because his owner wants to do hunters and not jumpers.

If he gets stronger, for hunters you can get a chain (idk if that is allowed at the shows you are showing at) or a stronger bit.

Answer 3

all i can say is to just go for it and see what happens at home. i have two suggestions. you could do something at the beginning of one and not the other, like for hunters you could make him turn his face and give to the bit before starting, and not do it for jumpers, and then eventually he might get it. or, another thing you might try is a different bit for jumpers. like, try a kimberwicke or something similar for jumpers if you are using a snaffle for hunters. if you're already using a kimberwicke for hunters, you could just try a different bit. i know that it isnt ideal to have to switch bridles between classes but it might be enough for him to understand the difference. oh, and i just thought of another thing you could try with a kimberwicke (if you use one for hunters), you could move the reins one slot down for jumpers for a stronger effect. sorry if this doent help you out, but it might work. =]