Riding a horse as it gracefully soars over an obstacle is a breathtaking display of power and partnership. The exhilaration of flying through the air in perfect unison with your equine partner, aiming to clear the jump and land smoothly for the next challenge, is unparalleled. However, this thrill can swiftly devolve into frustration or fear if the horse and rider aren’t synchronized or don’t share the same objective. It’s not uncommon to witness horses and riders parting ways at a jump, either due to the horse abruptly stopping or veering off to the side, leaving the rider to navigate the jump alone. Even experienced riders can find themselves in this situation if proper preparation is lacking.
This guide offers eight essential tips to help you foster a willing and confident jumping horse, enabling you to embrace the exhilaration of jumping without the burden of fear or frustration.
1. Start on the Ground
Whether your horse exhibits a lack of motivation, obedience, or confidence, the most effective starting point is from the ground. You can cultivate an athletic, confident, and willing jumping partner before even mounting, setting a foundation for success rather than apprehension. This foundational work is crucial for building trust and understanding.
2. Ensure Confidence in Tight Spaces
As prey animals, horses naturally shy away from confined, narrow areas where they could be vulnerable to predators. Horses that become anxious in tight spaces often exhibit similar nervousness around jumps, as the obstacle can evoke a comparable sense of vulnerability. Some horses will outright refuse to enter a confined area, while others will bolt through it. A horse that plants its feet and refuses to move through a tight space is likely to do the same at a jump. Conversely, a horse that rushes through such spaces may also bolt after clearing an obstacle.
To enhance your horse’s confidence in this regard, simulate a tight space on the ground. Place two barrels a short distance apart, yet wide enough for your horse to pass between. Begin by walking your horse through the barrels. Afterward, turn them to face the space again by disengaging their hindquarters. This action interrupts the horse’s tendency to rush. Allow your horse a brief rest, then repeat the process on the other side. If your horse hesitates or rushes, gradually widen the space until they demonstrate confidence. Once comfortable at a walk, progress to a trot and then a canter. You can also challenge your horse by narrowing the space or using different objects. While this can be practiced under saddle, it’s best to wait until the horse is thoroughly confident on the ground.
3. Teach Your Horse to “Seek the Jump”
Instructing your horse to “Seek the Jump” helps them understand the objective. They will begin to anticipate potential jumps, inquiring with you, “Would you like me to jump that object over there!?” This concept should initially be taught on the ground before applying the same principles under saddle.
Begin with small challenges. Guide your horse over ground poles at a walk, trot, and canter. After clearing the pole, turn them to face it. Walk to the pole yourself and allow your horse to rest nearby without any further instruction. If your horse is fearful, this teaches calmness and discourages rushing. If they are unwilling, it demonstrates that rest and comfort are found beyond the jump.
Once ground poles become easy, gradually increase the height of the obstacles. Barrels are excellent for groundwork as they present fewer entanglement risks than jump standards. After your horse clears the barrels at your chosen pace, approach them, sit on them for a few minutes, and then leave your horse undisturbed. Soon, your horse will eagerly anticipate jumping the barrels. You can get creative and teach your horse to happily jump a variety of objects, such as traffic cones, picnic tables, water troughs, picket fences, saw horses, car tires, large cable spools, mounting blocks, pedestals, logs, and even small banks or water features.
4. Develop Pace Control and Adjustable Strides
A horse that can maintain a consistent pace approaching a jump is more likely to achieve an optimal takeoff spot. This likelihood increases further if the horse’s stride is adjustable. As the rider, you must develop the ability to accurately judge the distance to the takeoff point. If the distance doesn’t accommodate complete strides, you should be able to ask your horse to shorten their stride to fit an extra one (or half stride), or lengthen their stride to eliminate one (or half) before the jump.
Achieving a good takeoff spot builds confidence for both horse and rider. If a horse lacks adequate room for a full stride before takeoff, they will alter their rhythm and pace. Common alterations include:
- “Chipping in”: Taking a short, quick stride just before the jump.
- “Taking a long spot”: Jumping too early and too far from the obstacle.
- Stopping: Halting in front of the jump, sometimes proceeding to jump from a standstill.
- Dodging: Swerving to the side to avoid the jump.
These adjustments can unbalance the rider, potentially leading to a fall. This, in turn, can erode the rider’s confidence in jumping and cause the horse to question the rider’s leadership. Some horses may even lose self-confidence in their ability to successfully clear the jump. A lack of trust in the rider’s guidance and diminished self-confidence can manifest as tension, control issues, or outright refusal of jumps.
A valuable exercise for teaching both horse and rider pace and distance is the “Circle of Success” (formerly known as the “Circle of Death”). This exercise, when introduced prematurely or with overly challenging jumps, can be difficult. However, by setting it up for success, it becomes a highly effective training tool.
Begin the “Circle of Success” on the ground so the horse can learn the objective without the rider’s interference. The goal is for the horse to maintain a consistent pace, ensuring a good takeoff spot at each pole or jump. Set up four ground poles equidistant from each other on a circle. The circle’s size will depend on your rope length and your horse’s athleticism; smaller circles present a greater challenge. Send your horse around the circle, over the poles, first at a walk, then a trot, and finally a canter. The canter is where the horse truly learns the objective, aiming for an equal number of strides between each pole and jumping without altering pace. Once this is mastered with ground poles, gradually replace them with jumps until each quadrant of the circle features an obstacle.
While your horse navigates the “Circle of Success,” begin developing your eye for distance. Try to anticipate your horse’s takeoff point to maintain rhythm. Count the strides between each jump. Can you discern how many strides remain before the optimal takeoff spot?
Avoid micromanaging your horse during this exercise; allow them to find their own pace. If they alter their rhythm or achieve a poor takeoff distance, let them work it out. Similar to the “Seek the Jump” exercise, provide rest and positive reinforcement when they demonstrate effort in maintaining a consistent pace, even if only for a few strides. Your horse will respond with greater effort and eventually maintain the pace around all four jumps.
Do not expect perfection in the first session. Mastering this pattern may require multiple sessions. Aim to conclude your training when you observe improvement and progress towards your goal—your horse consistently maintaining pace with an equal number of strides between jumps.
Once you and your horse have mastered the “Circle of Success” on the ground, transition to practicing it under saddle. Start again with ground poles at a trot, then a canter. When this becomes effortless, gradually replace the poles with jumps, mirroring the process used on the ground.
5. Maintain a Strong Jumping Position
A horse gains confidence and becomes more willing to jump when the rider can maintain harmony during the jump. It is your responsibility to refine your jumping position, or “two-point,” so your horse can jump without interference.
My mare, Boca, naturally excelled at jumping. When I first acquired her, she would leap over fences out of fear. As her self-confidence and trust in my leadership grew, I was able to channel her natural jumping ability positively. In fact, Boca inspired my deeper interest in jumping. I applied all the preceding tips, starting from the ground, to build her confidence and willingness. When it was time to ride her over jumps, I quickly realized she possessed more skill and confidence than I did! I spent considerable time walking and trotting in my jumping position, strengthening my balance. Once I achieved a secure “two-point,” jumping in harmony with Boca became effortless and enjoyable.
6. Avoid “Driving” Your Horse Over the Jump
It’s a common tendency for riders to apply more leg or use a crop on a horse that is slowing down as it approaches a jump, essentially “driving” them over it. However, this often creates more problems than it solves.
Some horses slow down before a jump due to nervousness or lack of confidence regarding that specific obstacle. Applying increased pressure as they approach can heighten their anxiety and even lead to panic. Imagine being forced to do something you fear with mounting pressure; you would likely shut down or panic. In horses, this can manifest as stopping at the jump, swerving, tension, high-headedness, or bolting and bucking after the jump. If you suspect your horse is slowing down due to fear or lack of confidence, revisit Tips 1-3. Work on the ground to build their confidence moving between you and the jump, and encourage them to “Seek the Jump.”
Other horses slow down because they lack the motivation or desire to jump. These horses are often labeled “lazy,” “stubborn,” or “needing a lot of leg.” Applying leg or a crop near the jump with such horses typically results in even slower responses or more elaborate attempts to avoid the obstacle. They might “chip in” just before the jump, struggling to clear it, or come to a complete halt. Some may stop immediately after, with their heads down. If you believe your horse is unmotivated, help them understand that the goal of jumping is to reach the other side with enough momentum for the next challenge. Tip #3, “Seek the Jump,” is an excellent strategy for this. Other effective approaches include point-to-point exercises with a jump in the middle and rest periods at either end, encouraging speed after the jump (not before), and incorporating plenty of variety and rewards.
7. Do Not Hold Your Horse Back
Jumping can easily trigger a horse’s adrenaline response, leading to increased speed and height. This can create tension between horse and rider. The rider may wish to slow down, while the horse feels inclined to go faster. The rider tightens their grip on the reins in an attempt to control the horse’s speed. The horse then feels trapped by the reins or uses the taut reins as leverage to accelerate further, perpetuating a cycle.
Small amounts of adrenaline can be beneficial, particularly when not combined with cortisol or stress, as it can enhance the horse’s athleticism. The key is to help your horse learn to manage adrenaline without stress, maintaining confidence and harmony with you.
Ensure you have implemented all previous tips, preparing your horse to jump with confidence. If your horse speeds up approaching a jump, guide them into a circle until they slow down. This utilizes one rein for control, unlike pulling back with both, which can make the horse feel trapped. Continue practicing circles, making them smaller when the horse speeds up and larger when they slow down. The “Circle of Success” is also highly effective for horses that tend to rush jumps. As mentioned in Tip #4, start with ground poles individually, then gradually add jumps. Another excellent strategy for slowing your horse involves asking them to perform tasks other than jumping: move sideways along the jump, back up with their tail near it, or stop in front of it (which may require starting at a walk for some time). These exercises help your horse focus on your cues rather than making assumptions and operating on speed and adrenaline near jumps.
8. Return to the Ground!
If you or your horse experience a lack of confidence with a particular jump, return to groundwork! If your horse is unwilling and resistant, go back to the basics on the ground! Help your horse “Seek the Jump!” When introducing a new jump or height, groundwork is essential. This approach builds confidence for both horse and rider regarding the new obstacle before you even mount.
I have successfully applied these tips with numerous horses and riders, achieving remarkable results. By implementing these strategies, you too can experience the joy of jumping in perfect harmony with your confident and willing equine partner.
