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Horses/Teaching a horse to jump
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Question
Hello,
I was wondering what you think that a horse needs to know before learning to jump. As in be proficient in all gaits and being ridden.
What kind of exercises to use, eg ploes, cavalletti, which samll jumps to start with etc.
My horse is a 5 year old TB just broken in a couple of weeks ago. I am not planning to teach him to jump yet but I would like to know in advance.
Any other hints would be great.
Thanks
Hello Cassie,
Your horse needs to be well in hand at the canter on both leads. He needs to make transitions from the walk, canter, trot on request. He needs to be calm on a snaffle bit.
The equipment and training program he and you will need for jumping is much to involved for me to tell you here. I can only advise that you look for a very, very good trainer in your area. Ask around. Go to shows. See the winners and ask to talk with their trainers. That is the best advice I can give you, except for this: beware trainers who don't know what they are doing and who will ruin you and your horse. I can't emphasize this too much. There are many charlatans out there. You don't want the blind leading the blind. TBs are spirited and 5 year olds even moreso.
Good luck and happy jumping
Dorothy
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Answers by Expert:
Dorothy Morris-Robinson
Expertise
My expertise is in training and rehabilitating horses, and training riders for combined training for over 40 years, in Virginia and California. This includes dressage, cross country obstacles and show jumping. In my many years of experience and endless study of Classical theory, and my hands-on retraining horses,I have accummulated much knowledge of the different personalities of horses and how to approach their rehabilitation. At my age, I do not ride as much as I used to, but I don't see why I have to waste the experience I have. Therefore, I continue to find horses to rehabilitate and then to find homes and riders for them, when they are ready to go on. I give each horse a thorough foundation in classical ground work. They are taught stable manners, lunging, word commands, rhythm. I currently work at my ranch in Kennewick, WA. I can answer certain questions about starting young horses in English riding: dressage, jumping, cross country obstacles and basic equitation. I can help with rehabilitation of spoiled or difficult horses; however, many problems require sustained riding instruction/training and I cannot do this online. Some issues need to be observed to come to a correct diagnosis. If your problem is of this type, please find a qualified instructor/trainer. I cannot give riding lessons via email.
Experience
Experience in the area: Over 40 years of English riding experience, including Fox Hunting in Virginia where I earned my colors with the Blue Ridge Hunt, training young horses for hunting and/or eventing. Coached a rider from her beginning at Training Level Combined tests through her competition at two Junior International competition Three Day Events. She rode my horse that I also started and trained her to ride. This combination competed in the World Championship Three Day in Lexington, KY in 1978. I trained another horse (TB) through 3rd Level Dressage and jumping. He eventually competed at Advanced level Three Day. I have reschooled several horses with difficulties ranging from running away to running backward, to not allowing a bridle to be put on, to kicking out at the farrier, being "too much on the muscle over jumps", barn sour, etc
Organizations
National Society Daughters of the Revolution (DAR)
Publications
Four novels (I am also a novelist)
Education/Credentials
Some college. Endless study of Classical Theory and training methods.
Awards and Honors
Who's Who of American Women, Who'w Who in America, Past Board of Directors FDIC-NACM
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