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Lv 5
? asked in PetsHorses · 8 years ago

Jumping my QH I need help please! Major confidence issues.?

So in January this year I was out with a friend for a ride on a really hot summer day. Our ride was going great, we had just been to the damn and let the horses cool off which was a lot of fun. Neither or is had phones because of going to the damn we had left them back where we saddled up. On the way back we decided to jump a log that was lying on the ground, no real reason just some fun. Usually my QH takes a while to settle into jumping, over the first 5 or 6 jumps he's so unpredictable, but anyway my friend went over and then I followed, only in trot so I didn't even expect a jump, the log was tiny. Well anyway he did a massive cat leap and jumped about a meter in the air. I fell off and broke my wrist in two places. 3 days later, with lots of drugs, surgery and two nights in the hospital I came out feeling very sorry for myself. I then had no confidence with riding at ALL.

I'm fine now almost 100% normal with my confidence again. Although I can't bring myself to jump. I've walked towards the jumps like tiny little ones and I've walked over them on him I've trotted towards them but I can't build up the courage to trot over them I always slow down to a walk before I get to it. It's not a really big issue and I just want to overcome it and ignore it. However I am so afraid he will do some massive jump or add in an extra stride or take off too early as he always does at first. Would it be a good idea to have someone else do the first few jumps? I know a girl that I think would be willing she's very confident and does lots of jumping I'm sure she wouldn't mind if I asked.

Or are there any techniques I can use to stop him taking off early or adding in strides?

Any help will be much appreciated thank you!

2 Answers

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  • 8 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    It isn't a sign of weakness to ask someone else to jump him first and settle him down, especially if you're not comfortable, because if you're nervous, he'll be more likely to overreact.

    As far as stopping him from taking off early, you can set up gymnastics for him to do, which involve jumps and poles on the ground. They're great for teaching babies where their feet go during jumping but also as a refresher or reminder for older horses.

    This is a good site:

    http://www.regardinghorses.com/2007/11/28/a-basic-...

    And if you google it or go to a bookstore you should be able to find longer and more detailed explanations.

    I've fallen off over jumps and it took me a long time to start jumping again. (And when I did, it was on a 4 year old horse who'd never jumped before - probably not my best idea!)

    Source(s): 12+ years of riding
  • 8 years ago

    Try jumping on a calm, quiet horse first. Once you feel confident, then try riding your QH. You can also ask someone else to settle your horse first before you ride him.

    Source(s): Personal experience
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