How to Jump Horses

Getting a horse to jump an obstacle is an exciting accomplishment for a rider. There is nothing like flying over jumps on the back of a horse. Teaching a horse to jump has to be done correctly or your horse can become injured.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Select the proper horse for jumping. Taller horses are better jumpers than shorter ones. A beginning rider should never start jumping with an inexperienced horse.

2. Start out slow when teaching your horse to jump. Start with very low obstacles that your horse could easily walk over; you need to build up his confidence before you move on to taller jumps.

3. Trot your jumps at first. Having your horse trot the jumps will teach him to remain calm and to jump correctly.

4. Stay calm. If you are nervous your horse will be too. Your horse needs to know that you are confident and comfortable with jumping.

5. Raise the height of the jumps a little at a time. If your horse starts to become hesitant to jump you should go back to a lower jump until he becomes willing and confident again.

6. Get somebody to help you when you are jumping. Having a helper who can lower the jumps for you if your horse becomes nervous will save you time and not give your horse a chance to refuse to jump.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear a helmet when jumping, jumping is dangerous and there is a real possibility of falling off your horse and becoming injured.
• Don't force your horse to jump a tall jump if he seems nervous.

[Horselady]

on 8/31/2008 There is so much more to learning how to jump than what is here. First of all, I have known ponies who can jump better AND higher than some 16 hand horses I know. Also, it is best to start the green horse (or green rider) over trot poles, slowly building up to a small cross-rail and slowly moving up from there. This way the horse and the rider know exactly where and when to jump and that place is always the same as they are building their skills and confidence.