From: Kathy
Dear Jessica,
Thanks for such a wonderful on-line site. I am a first time horse owner at the age of 46 and have lots of questions (many of which are answered by looking at your archives). But I didn't find any info on this one. I have a 10-yr Appy mare and we are both learning to jump. We've been going slow (18"-24" verticals) and now would like to begin on spreads (horizontals?). Could you suggest a beginning exercise? We have access to ground poles, cavelleti (sp?) and standards at the stable. I ride 3X per week and like to have something to work on between lessons (which are hard to schedule in my local - Jumping instuctors are almost non-existent in eastern Oregon).
Thanks for the suggestions,
Kath
Hi Kath! Thanks for the kind words, I'm glad you're enjoying HORSE-SENSE. Since you seem to have everything you need in the way of equipment, let me suggest some exercises -- and some books that will provide you with more exercises.
If your horse is comfortable jumping 2' verticals, set up a line of small jumps so that your horse can learn to deal with multiple jumps. The best way to introduce a small spread jump is usually to put it at the END of such a line. This is what we call a "progressive gymnastic". The most common "intro to spreads" would be a line like this:
Several trot poles to a small crossrail, one stride to a small vertical, two strides to a small oxer (spread fence). It will look something like this:
|||-X-]--]] Start with the trot poles to the small crossrail. When your horse is quite happy going over this, add a small vertical one stride from the crossrail. When your horse is happy going over the trotpoles, crossrail, taking one stride and jumping out over the little vertical, add a second small vertical TWO strides from the first one. Put a second set of standards behind the standards that hold the pole for the second small vertical, and have another pole nearby, but don't add the jump cups or the pole until your horse is navigating the line successfully. When your horse is comfortable trotting into the crossrail, taking one stride, jumping over the small vertical, taking two strides and jumping out over the second vertical, THEN add your jump cups and second pole to the second set of standards. You are now building a small spread fence! Place the second pole one hole higher than the first one (or place it at the same height as the other vertical, and lower the first pole) so that your horse will be able to see the back pole of the spread as she approaches. You don't want to surprise her. ;-)
Then come down your line again, and keep your eyes up and your legs on -- if your mare has been happy with the line up til now, she'll be just as comfortable when the second vertical becomes a small spread. The arc of her jump will NOT need to change -- this is not a wide jump! It's just a jump that will introduce her, and you, to the IDEA of a jump that is wider than one pole. ;-)
When she's done it, pat her and put her away for the day. Let her think about what a wonderful horse she is. Then come back the next day, or the day after, and do it all again.
As you both get more comfortable with the idea of jumping a spread, you can begin moving that second set of standards back, so that the spread actually becomes a SPREAD. The important thing is to keep it safe, and keep your mare balanced, happy and confident.
A good instructor would be your best asset, but whether you have one or not, you can benefit from reading. There are wonderful books available. Here are two of the very best:
Francois Lemaire de Ruffieu HANDBOOK OF JUMPING ESSENTIALS Susan Harris THE UNITED STATES PONY CLUB MANUAL OF HORSEMANSHIP - C LEVEL (this is volume 2: Intermediate Horsemanship)
Go slowly, stay safe, and have fun!
Jessica
Copyright © 1995-2024 by Jessica Jahiel, Holistic Horsemanship®.
All Rights Reserved. Holistic Horsemanship® is a Registered Trademark.
Materials from Jessica Jahiel's HORSE-SENSE, The Newsletter of Holistic Horsemanship® may be distributed and copied for personal, non-commercial use provided that all authorship and copyright information, including this notice, is retained. Materials may not be republished in any form without express permission of the author.Jessica Jahiel's HORSE-SENSE is a free, subscriber-supported electronic Q&A email newsletter which deals with all aspects of horses, their management, riding, and training. For more information, please visit www.horse-sense.org
Please visit Jessica Jahiel: Holistic Horsemanship® [www.jessicajahiel.com] for more information on Jessica Jahiel's clinics, video lessons, phone consultations, books, articles, columns, and expert witness and litigation consultant services.