• What do I do if my horse has a bad jump? Should I call it a day?
Above all, with young horses - or any horse - you don’t want to leave your session on a bad note. Don’t stress, just take five minutes to chill out, regroup and start again. Fighting isn’t worth it in the end as your horse is much stronger than you.
Above all, with young horses - or any horse - you don’t want to leave your session on a bad note. Don’t stress, just take five minutes to chill out, regroup and start again. Fighting isn’t worth it in the end as your horse is much stronger than you.
• My youngster is unbalanced and wobbly’ on the way into the jumps. How can I help him?
Work on straightness and balance in the canter during your schooling sessions on the flat. When you start jumping, it’s your job to create a canter that is balanced, rhythmical and energetic, and this starts with your flatwork. In time, this will go a long way to helping your horse tackle whatever jumps you point him at.
• What happens if I lose my canter rhythm and balance on course?
Don’t be afraid to trot a few strides, pull up and regroup or ride a circle. When your horse is young and learning, you want to make sure that you present your horse to the fences in a way that gives him the best possible chance of jumping each fence easily. That means that you present him to each fence straight and in balance, so don’t be afraid to make little corrections on course if need be.
• How do I know if my youngster is ready for competitions?
When you can confidently tackle a course of jumps at home, you’re probably ready to go out to your first shows. Continue to practise your courses, with a plan in mind and a balanced, rhythmical canter, then before long you’ll be in the ribbons.
Troubleshooting
At home, things can go wrong and some horses can't do various things. My five - year - old is still quite weak, so shortening is very difficult for him. That just takes time. You won't see results overnight, but stick with it. Some horses take longer than others and some horses are naturally really balanced and level, while others take time to develop their musculature to be that way.