Well, most of you guys know I go over small jumps bareback with Tango. Today I did something new - I took him into the big pasture where he would actually have enough room and doesn't have to be cramped in my small arena.
He was pretty good, he went over the jumps, but he got really hard to control. Like, I couldn't get him to stay at a trot or a slow lope worth a crap. While he're doing flatwork, he's perfect. I barely have to touch the reins now to get a responce out of him. When I jump him, I can't get him to stop unless I do the one rein stop. I can't keep him at a trot either.
Any tips on getting him responsive while going over the jumps? He's an angle doing ground work, but horrible while jumping.
** Don't tell me to get a harsher bit; I'm not ripping his mouth of to "train" him .**
Just a few suggestions that usually work for me in that situation.
1: Polework is your friend. Try to include it in your flatwork sessions from time to time.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
2: Half halt him a few times.
3: Place around 3 poles in front of the fence so that he has to concentrate on his striding rather than just bombing into them.
4: Loop around to the fence rather than taking it on a straight line. If he wants to get it right he'll have to slow down.
Just on a side note a harsher bit does not mean that you're going to be "ripping his mouth". A bit is only as harsh as the hands that use them. I'd rather see someone with light contact on a gag then hauling with a snaffle.
What you need to do is stop him after every jump. It won't be easy at first, but he will soon get the idea. So, if you go over a jump, stop right after . After many repetitions, he will come to expect it and will slow down of his own accord.
In general, if you horse speeds up without orders from you. If he slows down, you speed him up. If he stays consistent, you do nothing.
Also, I'd suggest sticking to trot poles in the pasture until you master the stopping after an obstacle exercise.
Is he kept in the big pasture or turned out in there?
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com Some horses will act a fool in their own pastures. To them, their pasture is where they go when work is over.
You need to be working with him on the ground before you even jump him. Flat work, ground poles and ground manners.
