Young horse jumping! HELP!?

Question

I kno how to train her to jump...i was just wondering if i should put boots/splints on her so she doesn't strain her legs?

is there anything else i should do liike stretches, exercises, boots, wraps, ANYTHING?? please help me out! she is 6 yr old quarterhorse mare that is a natural jumper, but i dont want her to hurt herself.

Answer 1

there are splint boots to support the leg as they come down, bell boots incase she over reaches, and wraps to support the tendon. it depends on if they know where their legs are all the time. on the horse i am training to jump i use splint boots only because she already is cooridated.

Answer 2

Splint boot type protection does not actually do much to support the horse's legs / prevent strain. They keep the horse from knocking himself.  I used to own a horse who had been previously jumped, and he had an ENORMOUS old splint from where he knocked his leg with his own hoof.

Polo wraps provide some amount of support, as well as helping to keep the leg tendons warm and therefore a little more supple, but do not provide as much brushing protection, which is why they are seen more frequently on dressage horses than on jumping horses.

I do like the Professional's Choice boots, because they have the pastern strap which provides some support to the joint that takes all the strain when landing.

But any type of leg protection is a good idea when learning to jump, especially because inexperienced horses tend to be figuring out their own balance and their hooves are all over the place.

Answer 3

When in doubt, use bell boots and splint boots or polo wraps.  It never hurts to protect your horse's legs, especially when you are teaching them something unfamiliar.  The only exception to this is if they rub or create sores (I've known some horses to get sores from bell boots rubbing them).  Other than that  I would suggest doing lots of groundpoles and other exercises that will encourage her to pay attention to where her feet are before actually jumping anything.

Answer 4

the best thing is to go buy a decent pair of brushing boots, Woof are a good make, they will just stop her striking into herself,