Does anyone do this, and if not, why not?
Well, its something you would only do with an unbroke horse. If the mares are jumping under saddle and have show records, you wouldn’t need to.
3 Likes
If wb, yes, because its generally part of the mare approval process for various registries.
2 Likes
If the mare is sound and the seller is educated in free jumping it is quite common.
And as Ladyj79 pointed out, it is required by a number of registries.
IME, sellers decline to free jump a sound horse when they have little personal experience in the exercise or they don’t believe the exercise is instructive.
IME almost all anything looks good (or can be made to look good) when handled by someone who knows what they’re doing. I don’t find it particularly valuable.
2 Likes
No, because their performance career with a rider negates the need for it.
MPTs free jump the mares, so if you’re thinking of heading to one, then absolutely make sure the mare/filly has solid education on a jump chute.
Not all potential broodmares are either old enough to be under saddle, or (yet) have a performance career at a high enough level, for anyone to be able to evaluate their jumping from pictures or videos, making the ability to do well in a jump chute a bonus.
Free jumping tells you an enormous amount about the horse’s innate ability, whether they are forward thinkers or back off, how they manage their body if they get to a bit of an awkward distance, and for sure, their form over fences. A horse is only handled up to the time that line comes off the bridle, then they’re on their own. Of course the chute should be set up for the horse’s best chance at a great run, but even the most well-layed out chute won’t hide a sloppy hind end, dangling knees, or a horse who loves to jump over his front end.
3 Likes
I was thinking it would be particularly useful if one were considering an OTTB without foals or experience as a broodmare.
1 Like
We know jumping ability is pretty heritable, so I agree with you that free-jumping - done correctly - tells you a lot about form, might tell you something about bravery, and gives some insight into scope, before deciding if an unproven mare might have what it takes for Hunters or Jumpers.
1 Like
As an ammy, I also find free jumping can give a bit of indication toward suitability for that market, which at the end of the day is the largest market available to breeders.
A horse who comes into the chute awkwardly and either stops or scrambles through and gets worked up about the mistake is a different critter from the one that figures out how to correct and jump out safely, canters away like nothing happened and can be represented with no stress.
I want the latter, because I know I’m going to miss on occasion, and I want a horse that has the scope to get us out of trouble and the brain that can laugh it off.
2 Likes
No, but the right camera angle will. I can’t remember the last time I saw a really bad free jump picture or video in an ad (but boy have I seen some bad under saddle ones!)
1 Like
We free jump all of our youngsters and mares before breeding them. When done correctly you can learn a lot. It also helps to evaluate your breeding choices. If you are buying a 2+ year old jumper prospect or broodmare, I would demand it.
3 Likes
