What are some good ways to teach a 2 year old halter trained horse to jump?

Question

Like the Question says. I would like to know some good ways to teach a two year old horse for show jumping. Anything on the lines of this question you can say would be magnificent! Thank you.

Answer 1

get them to walk over polls in the training ring and as they get better at that, raise them higher and higher....remember to be patient if they arent getting it though.

Answer 2

Actually, your horse already knows how to jump -- it's an innate ability.  What you may eventually be teaching your horse is how to better balance itself over jumps and compress or extend its stride as needed to safely/cleanly negotiate the obstacles/course.

Having said that, there is a lot of training that needs to come between "halter" and "jumping".  First you must teach you horse control on bit on the ground at all paces, then move on to flatwork under saddle.  And yes, formal jumping training should wait until age 4.

Good luck!

Answer 3

A two year old horse is way too young to be jumping.  Let the horse grow up and mature before you start jumping.

I would wait a couple of years til it is at least 4 before jumping

Answer 4

firecrackers

Answer 5

im going to have to agree with mostly everyone else in here.. 2 is way too young.. 4 is a good age to start.  but if you really want to start at 2  i would start with some ground poles and small SMALL cross rails.  i really wouldnt do anything more with a 2 year old, you could seriously damage your horse.  they arent fully developed yet.

be smart about your decision and good luck.

Answer 6

For jumping I'd wait a few years (4 or older) because your little one's bones haven't fully developed and you risk the chance of popping splints or doing other serious damages just doing simple stuff until your halter horse is grown.

You can WALK your horse over ground poles, but only at a walk.  You didn't say if you've started your horse under saddle yet.

Answer 7

While you are walking have your horse walk over ground poles. This will help teach the horse to look where she's going, pick up her feet, etc. Once she's used to that have her walk over something slightly higher, maybe 4"-6" and you just keep walking right next to her. No big deal, just a bump in the road, pick up your feet and move on. I wouldn't go higher than the 6" until after she was under saddle and you do ground poles while riding, but you can mix it up by making your ground poles spaced incorrectly on purpose, dropping things on the ground like coats, shovels or other things she might not be used to and that will also help desensitize her.

I bought a 7 yo green OTTB that had been taught "here's the fence jump". I did what I suggested in hand and under saddle and he's a fabulous jumper now!

Answer 8

Your need to wait until you start him or her under saddle. Yes, you can WALK  over ground poles.

When your equine becomes of age, the best age is four or older, and he is started under-saddle, you can start him on a lunge line with jumps set up around the round pen. Keep them simple, about 1 foot or so. You will want to start him out at a walk, jog, or trot. Make sure he is wearing protective leg gear. You can gradually raise the bars as you and your horse feel comfortable with the set height. You will need patience, thats for sure. Once your horse responds with no hesitation to walk jog or trot over the jumps, you can set a saddle on his back. It's basically re-training your horse. I reccomend that when he's comfortable with the saddle, if you have never jumped before yourself, you take your horse to a trainer. Make sure you explain your situation and riding experience. Good luck!

Answer 9

At 2 ? - don't. Just let it enjoy being young and growing up a bit first. It has all the world to grow in to let it off the hook a bit. Turn it away and do something else for a year or two.

Answer 10

just walk ove poles

Answer 11

PUT THE HORSE IN THE  ROUND PEN WITH BOOTS ON SET 2 CAVELETIES OPPOSITE OF EACH  OTHER NO MORE TAN  8 INCHES HIGH BEGIN TO LONGE THE HORSE HOPEFULLY U HAVE HER DOIN THIS, MAKE SURE UR PEN HAS SOME CUSHION ie SAND, 60 FT ROUND PEN PERFECT DO NOT DO THIS MORE THAN 15 MINS AT A TIME

Answer 12

I am training my 4 y/o mare for jumping right now, actually. What I am doing right now is just getting her used to the jumps that I have so she does not spook at them later. I would recommend going slow with training any horse, but especially a horse that young. After my horse is used to the jumps, and walk over them just fine, I am going to start lunging her over them, and then put them up a little bit higher at a time. Eventually, when my horse is better trained in riding and in jumping, then I will start riding her over the jumps. Who knows, maybe someday you will see us in the Olympics!!!

Hope this helps you,

Roxxiluvagurl13

Answer 13

I don't think a two year old is ready to start jumping. I would wait until at least four and successfully under saddle to start jumping. However, you could do some ground obstacles such as walking over poles or tarps, in between narrow alleys of poles, underneath a suspended tarp - anything to get your horse used to having "stuff" all around him. You could also take him to a show or schooling day or busy barn to soak up the atmosphere.

Answer 14

well yeah, I wouldn't be teaching a 2 year old to jump just yet as others have said, wait until he's older and backed and you have some solid ground work established with him. THEN you can think about jump training. If it's the poles you just want to get him used to you can throw a few around the arena and just walk him over them in hand, there's nothing wrong with that just don't rush things, let him be a 2 year old like he is.