I got my first horse, a off the track thoroughbred in November. After her racing days she became a broodmare for 3 years and never got taught anything english. I starting riding in December more in January and she is doing pretty good she knows all the basics (walk trot canter) because we only have worked on flat riding and ground poles. I would like to start jumping but I don’t if it’s too soon or not. Some people wait a long time before they start jumping after bringing a horse back into work. I don’t know if or when I can start teaching her about jumps and cross poles??
Like many thing with horses, this depends on a lot of things.
How much experience jumping do you have? If not a lot are you ready to start (fitness, balance, etc)? What kind of help do you have? When you do flat work, how much do you have the horse working from behind versus just noodling around? How straight is she?
These are all things that help determine when you should begin teaching any new skill.
2 Likes
Hi Hailey! This is a hard one, it depends on you and the horse and your experience level. In general, I like to see a horse go calmly walk/trot/canter in a light frame (using themself correctly) and doing transitions between and within gaits, in addition to turning well (think serpentines and 20 meter circles - the key is that they stay engaged and don’t drop the shoulder, throw the head in the air, etc). Then, I like to see them start doing all of that over poles, which can slowly turn into cross rails. However, it also requires a really solid position to start a greenie over fences because sometimes they REALLY jump, sometimes they stop dead and deer-jump - you can ride correctly to make these things less likely, but ultimately, they make mistakes when they’re green. Also, before I start jumping them under saddle, I like to see them lunge well over cavaletti and/or go through a jump chute to give them a chance to figure out the concept.
Have you asked your trainer what needs to happen to start jumping? How experienced are you at riding babies? on the flat, or over fences? how long have you been jumping?
All of those factors play into when it’s time to start jumping. If you have video, that would also help.
5 Likes
If you have never worked with a horse that has never jumped before I would say the first few times it might be beneficial for the trainer to do the rides. I hope you are working with a trainer in general. I say that because thoroughbreds are so sensitive that they will sense your anxiety far before you. Combine this with a horse who has never jumped and its not a great recipe. I also am A firm believer in letting them jump on their own before with a rider. A Hitchcock pen is great for this. Also never force anything some horses love to jump other don’t. Your mare will let you know her preference!
1 Like
yes, this is a big ol’ “it depends” kind of thing.
I generally incorporate trotting small fences very early on, because I want them to think “no big deal, just getting to the other side, nothing to see here, ho hum” … but I know when to back off if it ISN’T ho hum, and I know not to do it if I have a horse who is uncertain in his balance in any particular gait we might start (or end up) in.
I loving building a baby gymnastic as soon as possible (an 18 to 21 made of trot poles and Xs) just to give them the experience. and then incorporating little courses of 18" fences to add into our flat work (with the intention to trot them, but if the canter jump is going to happen naturally and quietly, far be it from me to stop it). My goal is to really be furthering their flatwork education, all the while giving them the basis for the future “real” career.
All that said, you need to be really confident in your ability to do it this way, because if you transmit “I’m not sure” at this stage, it gets amplified by the horse!
2 Likes
If you don’t know, you should be working with an experienced trainer.
2 Likes
It depends on the horse. I started my OTTB over cross rails about a week after I started riding him because it was difficult to get him to pick up the left lead otherwise. But, and this is a big one, I’ve started several horses over fences before and he was balanced, interested and ready. If you’ve never done it before, work with your trainer. I’ve had other horses that I started in a jumping chute to see what they did, and another who has no clue what to do with her feet.
1 Like
I work with my trainer yes. We do flat lessons working on collecting, lead changes, slowing it down a notch, trot poles and cater poles pretty much all the basics. I have really only started riding her in December since she has had 3 years off after coming off the track. She hasn’t ever been riding English or anything before I got her so I am starting her out. She has came a long way but she does have a really heavy mouth. I am wondering if you think it’s too soon or anying because I’ve only been riding her since December and she has had babies. My trainer is not able to ride anymore because of personal reasons. I was thinking about jumping her in the round pen first so she can figure it out before I get on her back and do it. I have leased a horse for one year and she is the one who’s took me over those jumps and taught me. That’s was last year and we ended up jumping 2’6. I tried to upload a video but I don’t to know how lol.
First, OTTBs are not trained to move off the leg. As racehorses they are trained to PULL into the bridle and move on the forehand (where they get their speed). The more the rider pulls, the faster (generally).
So, when I start them I start with simply getting them to respond to my leg. Most of them have no concept of using their hind end. Thus, jumping is just too hard.
I use ground poles while I teach them forward into a steady hand (NOT PULING hand). I may then add a 18" vertical in there, again NOT pulling or looking for a spot.
Generally, I give them a few months of consistent ground/pole mini jump work before I introduce real jumping. This gives them time to redevelop their musculature while I am installing the aids needed.
1 Like
It sounds like you may want to get your flat work in order more before jumping her. Horses naturally know how to jump so I wouldn’t worry about her figuring it out. If she’s heavy on your hands, adding jumps into the mix is going to be that much more difficult and more complicated.
2 Likes
Well OTTBs are often 16 hands or higher which translates to over 5 feet. Assuming you do not want to disturb your OTTB you are probably going to need to find a way to jump her that does not involve you touching her. I suggest you start out determining the height that you can comfortably jump at this point. Which may not be higher than say 2’ 6" or 3" depending on your fitness level. You may want to get with a trainer and focus on increasing your leg power through plyometrics. Practice on obstacles such as this, a standard track hurdle which can be increased from 30 to 42"
https://www.everythingtrackandfield…ational-Hurdle
Get comfortable with this and then raise the height. You may find that even with an intense training program you are unable to clear much over four feet which is lower than your OTTB
Some folks prefer to use a spring board but you will need to see if your OTTB will tolerate you using her back as a push off point.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcKrRmUZTO0
Techniques that might be less bothersome to your OTTB could include
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezWwBYlSW_w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBtifE8LU6I
In either case be sure to use a crash pad.
I wish you the best of luck. I have tried and tried to jump my OTTB but finally found success when I purchased a shetland pony. 
3 Likes
Mukluk, I doubt that the OP is quite prepared for your sense of humour, and it is long past April 1.
OP. I would first figure out why she is so heavy in the mouth. I suspect that it has more to do with holes in her flat work training, along with holes in your training. Most race horses are ridden “English”, even if with tiny saddlers. They usually understand the use of the seat, as when the rider sits down and stop sending forward, they slow down, and come under the rider. They also rate, the riders aren’t hanging onto their mouths for dear life, as you may think. Dependent on the knowledge and abilities of the exercise rider, some of whom are quite educated riders, they know a lot. Unless and until you can ride her without her being heavy in the mouth, I would forego jumping.
So I would take it way slower than you think. I think a round pen is a little cramped even if free longing.
1 Like
OMG, I’m dying! This is hilarious!
1 Like
