July 12, 2002, Newsletter Issue #81: Teaching Horses To Jump Correctly

Tip of the Week

Teaching a horse proper jumping skills requires patience-patience-patience more than any other learned or developed or natural ability in the Rider and the Trainer!

Continue with last week`s exercises throughout this week as well. Add a single fence, in the center of the arena, set on the diagonal to the fences on the track (rail). Set this fence as an oxer, 2`6" high and 2`6" wide. Place your "box" on the "A" side of the fence. When jumping this fence, your horse will take into consideration the angle to be jumped, and the height and width of the oxer. For beginning, set the fence as close to "X" as possible, but on the angle.

Only jump one line at a time. Stop the horse completely at the end of the line before turning the corner to the left or to the right. Make the horse stand for a minute, or two, or three before allowing the horse to walk on. Return along the inside of the track to see where your horse`s hind feet made impressions during his take off.

With your new fence in place, practise one line then through the center and over the new fence on the angle at "X". Stop and observe your horse`s take off point once again.

Only practise these lines three times each, three times per the week and next week we will add new perspectives to your schooling.

Cross Poles are considered to be the least difficult to jump. A ground pole only makes the determination of the best take off point easy for a horse to judge. No ground pole, makes the horse have to figure the best distance for himself.

Can you see the difference between cross poles and verticals? Can you see the difference between using a Ground Pole and not. Now practise this exercise every day for the next week at least three times per day.

Spend the rest of your Riding Time either Trail Riding, or on Flat Work, but no longer on the fences! YOU DO NOT WANT TO BURN OUT YOUR HORSE ON ELEMENTARY FENCES!

Now, practice this exercise for the next week, and next week we will discuss adding alternating the fences that you already have to work with.

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