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Horses/Teaching a horse to jump
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Sara Zomo wrote at 2007-08-10 20:30:43
Hello Dorthy,
The best way to teach a horse to jump on your own is free jumping. Build a chute starting from a corner working its way down the long side of the arena and place a pole on the ground. Walk him through the chute over the pole to let him understand what is asked of him. Once he does, let him loose. Use a longe whip and guide him into the chute. Once in the chute use very calm and encouraging language to get him to go over the pole. He may run around back wards and jump out of the chute, many modifications will be needed to fit any problem. Once they are made, continue the same routine. Raise the pole to a crossrail and so forth. DO NOT RUSH THE HORSE! Many horses are ruined by chasing them to the fences, as well as many accidents can occur. Do this every other day and increase height SLOWLY. Before you can get on his back he must know how to jump, which is what we are doing here. To increase confidence you can also get a long rope/lead rope, and physically JUMP the jumps with him. Teach him to trust you and himself. It looks ridiculous but it pays off in the end. Confidence is key to jumping. Good Luck!
Sara
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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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