Getting horse into jumping shape?

To get in shape-

Ride four to six times a week, persistently. Walk around the ring once, and warm up for about ten minutes with a trot. Then canter both ways. Make sure he can canter 2 to 3 times around the ring without having any problems (though laps will depend on the size of the ring).

Also, make sure you do a few circles at the trot and canter. When jumping courses (depending in what discipline), you sometimes have to circle to the jump, or use a hunter circle.

Also trot and canter different sets of poles so that the horse becomes aware of how to place his feet over them.

To begin jumping- (before doing this, you know how to jump, right? If not, this will be hard to train a horse to do without knowing what to do yourself)

Start with a simple crossrail. If Skippy has NEVER jumped before, then give him enough leg before the jump so that he will not refuse. Make sure to give a good release over the jump. If you don't, he'll see that each time he jumps, it hurts his mouth. This will cause refusals.

If all goes well, trot the crossrail a few times. You can also try a small crossrail line.

As days go by and he gets better, make the crossrails larger and try doing mini four jump courses, so that he does not learn that he can stop after one jump. Keep him going.

Then try cantering to them.

After this training has been completed, progress to verticals, lead changes in between jumps, etc.

Good luck =)

Lunging is always a great idea, especially over jumps. Hill work would be great for conditioning. Trot and canter poles are very helpful. Start out with small jumps and jump them a couple of times each time you ride him, if you feel comfortable. Be careful not to overdo it or you could injure him. Slowly start increasing number of times you jump and/ or jump height. If he is in shape then he should have no problem jumping, if he knows how to.

trotting up and down hills works wonders, as well as trot and canter poles (cavaletti).

you can also try and pop him over a small x (18 inches or under), 2 or 3 times, 2 times a week.

also, work on getting him to canter more and work on using his hind end.

edit-

does his old owner have brittle bones? or the horse?

i'm confused now =//

If i understand what you are asking, i dont think it would be smart to jump the horse if it has brittle bones. Jumping could lead to breaking his bones.

he should be in fine shape!

Ground poles will help him get in shape mentally......

and hills always strengthen horses, althought it may not be necessary.