Trot jump tips

[Foitin]

He trots jumps well with the trainers and does so in the hunters with them, so this is really my problem. But universally we say that he is hard to regulate in pace and will trot on course in the ring in the corners if you let him. On the same course, however, he can get quick and jumpery with too much hand. In a single lesson, I can be huffing and puffing trying to get him to trot, but riding a very fresh horse when we start jumping.

[Foitin]

I like this image, thank you!!

[mika0116]

I’ve ridden this type always some adjustment or puzzle! More connection from leg to hand going into the trot fence, I like to ride into trot fences with a slight shoulder in and alternate sides. former dressage rider - so shoulder in is like my go-to when I need to remind myself and horse of that back to front connection with adjustability

highly recommend!

if I can dig up some video of this I’ll post!

[LSBC]

When I had to practice trot jumps all the time my trainer focused on two pieces of advice (or at least… these are the two I remember):

• If your horse wants to canter the fence, post ALL the way to the base of the jump. Don’t stop posting.
• Always be ready at the front of your saddle for your horse to take off so you aren’t left behind. We practice almost “hovering” for a second.

It’s important to remember it is exceptionally hard (if not impossible) to truly see a distance to the trot fence, so it is not as much looking for a distance as it is maintaining your posting so that you can get to the base.
I, too, have ridden the horse that flats like she can’t move forward and jumps like an aspiring racehorse. I find that if I keep my reins short and post to the base of the fence, we can generally get a trot jump done. I maintain contact with her mouth and half halt if necessary, but it is my posting that really should get her to trot.

[BITSA]

@Foitin

am struggling with trot jumps. In nearly every attempt, I do one of the following: 1) canter the last stride; 2) get left behind because I have no idea when horse is going to leave the ground; 3) I steady too much and my horse walks (then he hops over it after doing a canter stride). Horse is doing his best. Has anyone any advice to combat these mistakes? Sitting or posting? Imagining fuzzy tranquility? Grabbing martingale? Thank you!

I’ve found sitting the trot works best more me and then putting my hands down and a light squeeze or maybe cluck right to the jump.

[FromTheGalaxy]

I agree, I find that I tend to be better able to judge takeoff and get up off the horse’s back at the proper time when I sit for a couple strides in front of a trot jump. Although I could see that if you have an electric seat or a horse that likes to canter in front of the jump that this might encourage them to do that. Most of my horses need leg all the way up to a jump, especially in the trot, so sitting allows me to leg while also not getting left behind.

[greysfordays]

I had a trainer who really believed in trot in counter out to help us old ladies develop our eye so we did a ton of trot jumps.

What worked best was to have a really strong trot through the corner with more energy than you need and then to gently compress on approach. That gives you the waiting energy in your body and in your horse to make a nice jump.

[RAyers]

I want to add a more practical reason to learn to trot fences, regardless of discipline.

Here, Peanut, came back to the trot in a 6 stride bending line to an off camber 1 meter corner fence. Letting our horses do this enables them rebalance and gives them confidence and trust. The key for riders, as others state, is leg on, eyes up, don’t look for the spot, just let them jump.

I would swear I posted, but it was more 1/2 seat(ish). So, do what helps you stay in “fuzzy tranquility.” That’s what I prefer.

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