How to Train a Horse to Turn When Jumping

A well-ridden jumper course must be balanced, quick and accurate. Setting up to jump an obstacle starts as soon as you land the previous one, and a well-executed turn, either on the ground or in the air over a fence, is crucial. Getting a horse to turn quickly and accurately requires time and effort at home.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Smoothing out turns.

1. Turning too soon or too late for a fence can end in a refusal or even a fall. Also turning to wide or too sharply can make your horse off balance and can affect the next jump badly. Keeping your seat balanced and your posture correct will help the horse to turn better. The tighter the turn, the more vertical the rider's position should be. Leaning too far into the turn can throw your horse off balance, possibly causing him to stumble. Be sure to turn your eyes and to always look in the direction you are going and toward the next fence, this will allow your body to naturally follow the direction of your vision and balance you in the saddle. The horse's hind legs have to be engaged to jump well and if the rider leans too far forward, this can throw him onto the forehand and unbalance him.

2. Your leg aids keep your horse moving forward with impulsion but they are also crucial in turning correctly. The rider's inside leg, close to the girth, helps engage the horse's inside hind leg to keep him from turning too sharply, and maintain the forward movement. The outside leg stretched back behind the girth will keep the horse from turning too wide and prevent his hind legs from getting out from underneath him, or "skidding".

3. The rein aids must work together, either keeping the horse straight by maintaining equal grip in both hands, or making slight corrections by opening one rein or the other to correct direction or bend. The inside rein also works to indicate the direction of the turn and to ask for correct bend while the outside rein regulates that bend and controls pace. An improperly-bent horse will not be able to make a balanced turn and this can lead to loss of impulsion, skidding-out or leaning too much on his inside shoulder.

4. Turning in the air can help save ground, making you quicker on course, and can help to ensure the horse lands on a certain lead or gets a better line to the next obstacle. The best way to practice this is to set up a small jump and attempt to jump it as you ride on a twenty meter circle. Always look in the direction you are turning, at your next jump if you are on course. If you are training the horse to do this exercise, you can place a cone or another object 180 degrees from the jump, for you to focus on and ride around as you perform your circle.

5. Lead the horse's head in the direction of your turn by opening the inside rein and moving your hand to the side as you go over the obstacle. Never pull backward on the rein as this will cause your horse to become unbalanced in midair and can be very dangerous. While in the air, shift your weight very, very slightly in the direction of the turn. Keep your outside leg back and your heels down. Be careful not to lean too far or you will become unbalanced and unsafe.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to practice over very low fences, raising them only as you become more comfortable with the exercise.
• If your horse is resisting the turns and not setting up well for the fences, stop jumping and practice turning circles while on the flat.
• Be sure your helper on the ground replaces fallen rails quickly.
• Always jump with adequate supervision.
• Wear approved safety gear as required.
• Use caution when riding in an arena with other horses.
• Always wear boots with heels when riding.

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