http://www.jimmys-adventures.net/trekking-poles-how-to-use/
Teach a 10yr old horse to jump?
My loan mare has never been taught how to jump as she was only ever used in a trekking centre until about 2 years ago.
I’ve popped her over a few tiny fences (about 1 – 1.5ft) but she doesn’t know how to get her striding correct up to the jump and more often than not either stops, runs out, cat leaps or if she does jump it, catches the pole with her feet! I’ve done the odd jump perfectly with her, which makes me think she can do she’s just never been taught how!
Also she spooked the other day in the field and jumped the fence!!! So she certainly can jump if she wanted to!
Any help on where to start and how to progress? I only ride her twice a week…
Thanks in advance
1. Get a jumping trainer/instructor.
2. Stop jumping until you do item 1. Jumping wrong will do much more harm than good. You are making her a stopper before she has even begun.
Jumping with a rider is a total different exercise for the horse than jumping without one. That’s why she could jump on her own without a problem.
You should not be jumping on your own unless you have extensive jumping experience. If you do (when you are not working with your trainer), you need to go back to more basic exercises – not jumps – ground poles – and lots of them. I suggest you check out the book ’101 Jumping Exercises for Horse and Rider’ by Linda Allen. The first 25 or so exercises are all pole exercises. That’s what you need to be doing first. Since the exercises in this book build upon each other, you can use it as a training guide. Again – ONLY if you have many years of jumping experience. Otherwise, see item 1.
Trekking Poles: How to adjust and use straps