Jumping Training?

[Tremor]

My mom and I are going to be making jumps this weekend since we're both interesting in teaching our ex-broodmare how to go over jumps.

I've worked with her on ground poles and she does okay with them. And she can jump. Lol.

But, I was wondering if anybody could give me their opinion on how to tackle the task of training a horse to jump.

I guess I don't have any specific questions...yet. I just don't know how to do this the "right" way.

 

[targetsmom]

I recommend the book "Training Miniature Performance Horses: A Comprehensive Guide to Hunter, Jumper & Halter Obstacle by Jennifer Alisia Garrett (now a judge, I believe). Available at Small Horse Press and probably Amazon for less than $20. It should answer all your questions and really help you out.

In that book she suggests starting with low cross rails with a ground pole in front. This will teach the horse to jump in the center of the jump. I like to start mine over a solid jump first, like a fallen tree (which we seem to get a lot of!). That will teach the horse to be honest because it won't fall if he hits it like a pole will. It depends a bit on what your horse needs and what is available. I will only do the fallen tree a few times and then go to the cross rail.

Take it slow, vary the look of the jumps as long as they are safe, and have fun!! If she has trouble with any jump, lower the height and try again.

 

[CharlesFamily]

The crossrails is a great tip. Another thing I have noticed with mine is that they want to run out of the jump. They look at me like I'm an idiot and say, "Seriously?? Watch, you can go AROUND the pretend fence thing - I don't need to jump OVER it!"

So when you start, aim them at the far side of the jump, a lot of times you have a tendency to keep them close to you towards the left of the jump, but that makes it easier for them to just dodge around it. Aim for the right and it works almost every time!

Good luck - jumping is fun!

Barbara

 

[Flying minis]

I'll add just one more thing - we've had a LOT of luck starting out free jumping in the round pen - the horses learn how to handle themselves and rate the jump without having to worry about the handler, lead line, etc. and they gain a lot of confidence. Used to do that with our riding hunters too, and when I started with the minis, I just did what I did with the riders. It seems to have worked pretty well so far!

 

[Tremor]

Thanks guys!

I really appreciate it since I don't know how to go about this.

We've worked on ground poles and she was apprehensive about it at first, but when I had her calmly sniffing the poles and actually lead her through them myself (me right in front of her) she did fine.

I have done a solid jump with her. It was a log that was about 5-6 inches tall. She jumped right over it more than once. (Probably 3 times.)

I want her to have something constructive to do later in July while we're at the fairgrounds for a horse show from the 20-25th. I don't want her just in a stall. I want to have a reason to have her out in the arena for turn out....plus I kind of want a reason to hog the arena like the QH people do.

I definitely don't want to rush her though.

You mentioned having her free jump in a lot, and that probably wouldn't work for my mare. She really isn't a Go-For it mare when she's in the paddock. Once she's outside of it (in the yard or some place) then she's willing to go faster than a walk. That, and I have a couple young horses in the same lot as well. I'd rather not have my yearling doing any jumps.

I'll definitely look into buying the book! Thanks again guys!

 

[Mominis]

A miniature horse is a big horse, only smaller. I trained Shake to jump late last year as part of his conditioning. I did it as though I was starting a young hunter. We started witha single ground pole. Then we went to two ground poles and finally four in a (picture a clock--12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock) confguration. Once this was no biggie, we went to cavaletti training. First just doubles, then a series, then a series with a cross rail. We escalated the gymnastics until he was doing low lines including small verticals, oxers, and even bounces. I allowed him to find his own stride by doing this at liberty--eliminating any sideways torque that may have been caused by a longe line in a 60' pen (after extensive ground training that included an absolute whoa and quick response walks and trots on command). Now, he jumps in hand easily.

The turning for your lines starts from turning on the ground with your turns on the haunch. Get them going right or left off of a voice command or a movement of your wrist on the lead in place and the segue that to forward motion. Never, ever use a chain, which will intimidate most horses. It's a slow process, but it's great for muscular development, disicipline, and coordination.

Best of luck.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

Be careful. Training to jump is not as easy as just leaping over barriers. I thought my horse was proficient--until we went to a show and entered the Hunter class. He refused the first 3 jumps, jumped them awkwardly when I asked him to, and strained/sprained tendon/muscle. It's been almost 8 weeks and I think he is finally ready to try to work in harness again.

Take it easy. Don't risk a good horse if you are not sure what you are doing. A book is no substitute for someone experienced giving you real-life guidance. That is mho.