Vertical Refusals

by Sylvie
(Washington)

I'm currently learning to jump, and its the best! I'm great with ground poles, and medium cross poles! But the horse I ride refuses verticals a lot. I haven't used a crop or spurs on her, but I'm not against it.. Should I grab a crop next time I'm riding and see if it helps? Any tips for using a crop?

I only use one for dressage, and that's different. Also, would lead-in poles help from her pulling away and going around the jump? If I set one pole on each side, a takeoff pole, and the pole she's actually to jump, it might look like a little much..

This horse has fantastic training, is it possible its me, not her? My riding teacher says my form looks good.. Any ideas?

Comments for Vertical Refusals

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Jun 05, 2018
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hope this helps!
by: horsehelp

You're right. It will look scary to your horse if you have lots of poles. Horses can feel when you're confident or nervous or happy or sad, so you need to be confident. Try to keep contact on the bit so you can feel when your horse tries to turn, and keep contact with your leg, too. If your horse stops, make her walk over the jump. Horses don't like walking over jumps so it will encourage them to jump it next time.

If all of this fails, yes you should use a crop but no you shouldn't use spurs. If you feel your horse slowing down, just give a little tap with the crop to get them over the jump and then praise them. But if your cantering, only use the crop on the shoulder. If you use it on your horses hind end in a canter, they might buck.

Please tell me if this helps!

Apr 08, 2018
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up in the air
by: Horse Crazy

Look past the jump and about as long as a horse's body, urge him over the jump with some spurs. Use the spurs the second he jumps.

Dec 13, 2017
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Okay!
by: Anonymous

So first you could show the horse all around the vertical so that it can see that the jump is nothing to fear. Then try jumping it with a crop. You should not hit her (or him) very hard. Just give her a sharp tap to tell her that it is okay.

Hope this helps!

Oct 26, 2013
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update
by: Sylvie

Just a little update: I'm riding a spazzy little Morgan jumper now, and we're doing well. I jump just about 2 feet, canter of course, but I'm not sure if I'll go higher because the vet thinks she's almost twenty years old, and she is only 14.1, haha. If I free lunge her she can jump about 2ft 9 though.

Oct 14, 2013
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Reins Shirt and Kick
by: Tasha

I had the exact same problem with my 15.2 ISH. I just kept my reins super tight and gave him a hard thump with the leg on the side I thought he was going to run out on. Now he is jumping 1.10 with ease and doesn't even try to run out. Have fun!

Feb 21, 2013
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Hi Sylvie
by: Unicorn

Good to hear! I'd love to see pictures. Well done - soon you'll be jumping 2' like it's nothing. :-)

Feb 09, 2013
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Going well
by: Sylvie

Just thought I'd say that the jumping is going well. I'm currently jumping about 12" at the trot and 7"ish at the canter (but she over jumps so it's about 10-12 inches...) Maybe I'll record a video or take some pictures and post them or give ya'll a link if you want to check it out.

Thanks again for the help!
-Sylvie

Feb 07, 2013
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Hi Sylvie
by: Unicorn

How did it go?

Jan 19, 2013
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Thanks
by: Sylvie

Thanks for the ideas guys! I've got a lesson the upcoming thursday, and i'll try some of these. I do want to say, the horse that was refusing was just a pleasure/equitation trained APH, i've graduated to a perky, eager Morgan now, but i'll be sure to take some of these tips into account just to ensure she doesn't start refusing, then get into the habit. :3 Thanks for the help, and keep the tips and tricks coming.

Jan 16, 2013
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READ
by: Anonymous

I think that you should start with spurs only and then a crop if the problem continues.

Jan 14, 2013
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Hi Sylvie
by: Unicorn

Whew - the title of your post gave me a shock. I had the idea of a horse rearing so high it was vertical. :P
Sounds like your horse is taking chances a bit. Even well-trained horses will often take advantage of their riders - the horse that will jump 3' 3" with me on board drags her legs through a six-inch cross rail with a beginner on her.
Ride her into the base of the jump good and firmly. Don't stare at the jump; keep your eyes up and don't freeze up at the last moment and leave the horse to its own devices. At the right take-off point, give your leg aid firmly, encourage her with your voice and she should jump. If she does stop, don't pull at her mouth; give her a kick or a tap with the crop and try again immediately.
This has worked for me, but I've only trained a handful of horses over the past two or three years. Your instructor will know best. Have fun and wear a helmet!
Unicorn

Jan 11, 2013
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be assertive!:)
by: Lydia Horan

be assertive! if he/she refuses the jump, circle right back around to the jump and kick kick kick! if she bucks, sit back and walk her in small circles. if she throws her head, give her half halts. and if she doesn't listen to your kicks, use a crop on her shoulder lightly. if she doesn't listen to that tap a bit harder on her back end. try not to use the crop too much on the shoulder because all the energy and power comes from their back end- not their front legs! all their power comes from the pushes from their back legs. if he/she is still giving u problems, practice jumping with free jumping! it can help get a horse more confident with jumping by trying it without a rider. :) hope this helps!

Jan 11, 2013
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What you might be doing
by: Katie

Hi! you might be pulling back on her subconsciously before the jump. You also might be looking at the jump. Try to look over the jump and stand into two point right RIGHT before the jump so that the horse comes up to you ;)

Dec 18, 2013
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Help
by: Morgan

I ride a pony called Monty and he is very cheeky. I've had him for 2 years and I found he loves to jump. But as soon as he saw any kind of vertical jump, he wouldn't go anywhere near it. I've solved it now, and I advise strongly to use a whip. Run it on the horses bum and shoulder and let them have a long rein to go and have a look. Walk and trot past it and constantly use your voice. Your horse knows you and your voice so always reassure him and if he is good, tell him! Hope this helps!!!

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