Help please!!! Jumping problem

by Gladys
(New York)

I have this really sweet and well-mannered 5-year old Arabian mare. She's great but when we jump, she just refuses to jump and stops right before it, sometimes unseating me. I had tried to lure her over with treats, but she just goes round the jump to get to me. Please help!

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Dec 23, 2012
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jumping fear
by: Anonymous

After a cross country course, my horse started misbehaving and refusing jumps because I let my friend ride her to it, so I have personal experience.

My horse got over her jumping fear by doing pole work and gradually introducing her into little jumps. She was ok with the poles but hated the jumps. I disagree with smacking and hurting horses so I went around and tried the jumps continuously and counting beats out loud and reassuring her each time. You do not need a crop because it can make matters worse. Just before the jump, give your horse a little kick or squeeze and if she still refuses don't give up!!

You need to do this at least 3 times a week. My horses jumping fear is now forgotten and she is doing better that ever!!!!

Nov 25, 2012
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Hope it helps!
by: Anonymous

Hold tight with your legs and build up that muscle and a lot of leg when she stops smack her with the crop, or maybe even use english spurs but do not give up repetition is the key.

Nov 24, 2012
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:)
by: Anonymous

trot in to the jump make sure you're in complete control. use a TON of leg, if she stops take a crop and smack her right behind your leg. don't let her turn away from the jump, but make her go over it. if she stops before the jump that is very naughty!! one of the worst possible things you can do is give her treats for that!! also, work a lot on your flat work, and ground work. because if your horse doesn't listen in either of those, you probably shouldn't be jumping :)

Nov 19, 2012
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jumps
by: Anonymous

try giving her a big kick just in front of the jump and she will glide over it. my 4 yr old tends to do but, if i give him a kick he's a fab jumper. x

Nov 18, 2012
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Jumping
by: Brooke

Try hold the lead and walking over a low jump with her

Nov 18, 2012
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horse won't jump
by: Sydney from Horsecrazygirls.com

There could be several reasons why your horse isn't jumping. First could she be in pain? It could be her saddle or her hooves or an injury...?

Second, she may not not know what to do yet. Have you tried her over ground poles first? You may have to start really slowly and work up to it.

Do you have a trainer or someone who could take a look and see what is happening?

Nov 16, 2012
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Maybe....
by: Anonymous

Maybe if you tried, while riding, to walk her up to the jump and then stop in front of it. That way, she can get a good look at it. Then, turn her around, and then trot her to the jump, keeping as much leg on her as possible. (And, if she drifts left or right, keep a left or right opening rein on her, depending on which way she drifts.)

If that works, do that before you jump until you feel confident enough to jump it without letting her look at it. You can slowly work up your way into a canter, but don't push it. I have a hot headed Thoroughbred that this worked wonders on. She now boldly canters up to two feet without a problem, and is showing in jumpers. If this method doesn't work for you I would get your trainer's help.

Nov 16, 2012
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Block
by: Katie

In order to help a horse to get over a jump, make sure they have enough momentum to get them over easily, and also make sure you start out small. Don't ever ditch the crossrails:). They are the best jump training tool:).

Also don't get her into the habit of thinking every time she goes over a jump that she gets a treat because then she'll probably want one all the time.

Also block her with the reins when she stops so she can't go around and only over tiny opening your hands about shoulder width and pushing with the leg.

Anytime she tries to turn, push and pull her head the opposite way, do not let her get away with it or she will every time. Also, if you can, have someone lead you over the jumps a few times.

Hope this helps!:)

Feb 07, 2013
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Start Over
by: Sylvie

The best thing would be to start over with her jumping. Put a line of ground poles all the way across the arena from E to B and from A to C making a + shape across the arena. Then mount, and warm up just going over the poles (or lunge her in a circle, standing in the center so she goes over poles at 3, 6, 9, and 10 O'clock positions). Weave back and forth across the arena, go in a figure eight across half the arena, just act like the poles aren't there!

The next time you ride, make a small line of cross pole jumps about 5" from E to B, but leave the poles between the road cones, wings or whatever you use to hold the poles. Warm up, making sure you act like the poles aren't there, canter over them a few times, then raise them to the 5" mark and canter over it.

Gradually raise the jumps to 10", then 18", then 24" and so on. Move it up by increments of about 5 inches. Once your horse is going over them well (or you hit 10") just put jumps at E and B.

MAKE SURE that you work your horse both directions, left and right lead!! Even try putting a jump at X in the center and right before it, putting your other leg back and asking your horse to change leads!

Hope this helps. xoxo
-Sylvie

May 15, 2013
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Don't Punish Her all the Time.
by: MorningStar

Give her a positive experience. Don't whip her, just do ground work with her like going over poles at a walk and then after that you can work with higher stuff. Only give her treats or pet her and talk to her gently to tell her she is a good girl when she obeys you.Don't punish her if she does not understand what you want her do or she could be scared so once she does start jumping for you if she starts refusing jumps again just go to doing more groundwork with her.How much training has she had, I understand she is only five?

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