Are you one of those lucky few whose pony is nuts about jumping? You are fortunate. There's a whole population of riders out there who would jump at the opportunity to get their hands on your pony.
Some horses are so enamored of jumping they set at it like they're blasting off on a moon shot. Let me make things clear, I would any day go for a horse that jumps with gay abandon than a horse that seems to believe the air 2 feet above his head is hurtful to health. The big problem is , however , that over enthusiastic horses tend to send you flying out of the stirrups and the saddle every time they jump, and it is badly disorienting to have to thud back into the saddle and grope for your stirrups as you fight to get your wits back about you. It can be particularly catastrophic if you are in an event.
2 prominent reasons cause riders to leave their saddles when their horses over jump. The 1st is the momentum related to a big over jump from your horse or as a result of your horse having a massive round bascule. At any rate, you have to learn how to stay in balance, whatever the momentum that makes you leave the saddle. The two things you want to focus upon are seat and stability.
Say you are preparing your pony for a small jump over a little stream and he lifts off like he's Superman in disguise. You are caught completely unprepared, and you react by making an attempt to get hold of the saddle with your knees. You have just set off a chain reaction leading to disaster. The physical consequence of your attempt to use your knees to embrace the saddle is to lift your lower legs and swing them right from the stirrups.
Try something else the next time your pony attempts to clear the moon. Concentrate on keeping relaxed, and forget grabbing the saddle with your knees. Let your horse hoist you from the saddle. Maintain balance over your lower limbs and let your weight sink down into the heels. When you have your balance right over your legs, with your weight in the heels, your unplanned departure from the saddle will be quick and you won't lose the stirrups.
That one paragraph may make it sound like a cake walk. I plead guilty. It's not going to be all that easy. You will have to work very hard at gaining the sort of balance and confidence I have spoken about. You need to spend a lot of time on a two-point position. The right way of strengthening your lower limbs and getting stability into your position is to ride the two-point at all three gaits; and to bolster your seat and horse-oneness by riding without stirrups.
You will also gain a lot from jumping small grids. Erect about half a dozen smallish cross rails roughly 10 to 12 feet apart. Get your pony to indulge himself jumping; ensure your head is up, your legs are relaxed, your body is balanced and your weight is in your heels. Concentrate hard on continuing to remain relaxed; don't attempt to grip with your knees. Keep practicing till you get the hang of it.
When you have perfected your approach to your horse's jumps, you will find life a lot less complicated. Your butt will stay in close contact with your saddle regardless of how much he exerts himself. You may be proud of the proven fact that you have an athlete with much potential.
Some horses are so enamored of jumping they set at it like they're blasting off on a moon shot. Let me make things clear, I would any day go for a horse that jumps with gay abandon than a horse that seems to believe the air 2 feet above his head is hurtful to health. The big problem is , however , that over enthusiastic horses tend to send you flying out of the stirrups and the saddle every time they jump, and it is badly disorienting to have to thud back into the saddle and grope for your stirrups as you fight to get your wits back about you. It can be particularly catastrophic if you are in an event.
2 prominent reasons cause riders to leave their saddles when their horses over jump. The 1st is the momentum related to a big over jump from your horse or as a result of your horse having a massive round bascule. At any rate, you have to learn how to stay in balance, whatever the momentum that makes you leave the saddle. The two things you want to focus upon are seat and stability.
Say you are preparing your pony for a small jump over a little stream and he lifts off like he's Superman in disguise. You are caught completely unprepared, and you react by making an attempt to get hold of the saddle with your knees. You have just set off a chain reaction leading to disaster. The physical consequence of your attempt to use your knees to embrace the saddle is to lift your lower legs and swing them right from the stirrups.
Try something else the next time your pony attempts to clear the moon. Concentrate on keeping relaxed, and forget grabbing the saddle with your knees. Let your horse hoist you from the saddle. Maintain balance over your lower limbs and let your weight sink down into the heels. When you have your balance right over your legs, with your weight in the heels, your unplanned departure from the saddle will be quick and you won't lose the stirrups.
That one paragraph may make it sound like a cake walk. I plead guilty. It's not going to be all that easy. You will have to work very hard at gaining the sort of balance and confidence I have spoken about. You need to spend a lot of time on a two-point position. The right way of strengthening your lower limbs and getting stability into your position is to ride the two-point at all three gaits; and to bolster your seat and horse-oneness by riding without stirrups.
You will also gain a lot from jumping small grids. Erect about half a dozen smallish cross rails roughly 10 to 12 feet apart. Get your pony to indulge himself jumping; ensure your head is up, your legs are relaxed, your body is balanced and your weight is in your heels. Concentrate hard on continuing to remain relaxed; don't attempt to grip with your knees. Keep practicing till you get the hang of it.
When you have perfected your approach to your horse's jumps, you will find life a lot less complicated. Your butt will stay in close contact with your saddle regardless of how much he exerts himself. You may be proud of the proven fact that you have an athlete with much potential.
About the Author:
Horses are Heather Toms
passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of
articles with other horse lovers click here
passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of
articles with other horse lovers click here
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