Hunter Hack Let’s get it right.
What do I need to know? • Do I know how to jump? • Does my horse know how to jump? • Do I know someone who can help me? • How long do I have to prepare? • If I do it right will my horse like it? • Is it fun for my horse? • The safe steps to teach us to jump.
Questions Need To Be AnsweredYES! • Can I walk, trot and canter in control? • Can I ride comfortably without my stirrups? • Can I regulate my horse’s stride? • Can I steer my horse to go where I want it to go? • Can I do my 2 point position at all gaits?
What is a good jump? • The horse arrives at the jump in an even rhythm, leaves the ground balanced and straight, lands smoothly and canters away.
Riders Job • To create a good balanced rhythm. • Maintaining a consistent pace to the jump. • Steer the horse to the center of the jump. • Give a good release to allow the horse to use it’s head and neck over the jump. • Maintain the 2 point in the air and land in balance with the horse. • Canter away in a controlled rhythm.
The Release is SO Important. • Horses must pull their head down and forward to jump a balanced jump. • If they are not allowed to use their head and neck, they will be physically unable to jump easily.
Frustration • If the horse is not taught how to do the job asked of it. • The rider cannot feel what is needed to help the horse, or stay out of the way. • Pain in jumping leads to fear, or reluctance to jump at all. • If the horse has physical issues that makes it hard for it to jump.
Equipment needed to jump • Standards • Rails • Cups • Some fill materials, brush, flower boxes. • Suitable footing, safe for the horse. • 100 foot measuring tape • English Saddle and Bridle
Math Problem • Jumping is a math problem. • The basic knowledge must be learned before jumping is recommended. • Shortening stride • Lengthening stride • Communication with rider • Good balance, and control • Willing to learn the process
Riding Exercise 1 • Set 2 poles on the ground 58 feet apart • Walk thru the poles in an even rhythm count the number of steps your horse takes. Slow down add 2 more, speed up and leave 2 out. Do same at the trot. • Cantering this line should be 4 strides for the normal striding horse. • Do this in 4, 5, 6 even strides.
Counting Strides • The simple way: • Land, 1, 2, 3, 4. • Counting helps the rider keep a rhythm. • Helps in learning to see a distance. • A good rhythm allows the horse to decide when it is time to jump.
Measurements • Trotting poles 7ft-9ft • Cantering poles Bounce 10-12 ft • Trotting one stride 18 feet • Cantering one stride 24 feet • Cantering two stride 36 feet • Cantering three strides 48 feet • Cantering four strides 60 feet.
How much should I jump? • Depends on the horse’s fitness level • Jumping uses different muscles which must be developed. • Start with a simple fitness plan, and stick to it. Sometimes the lesson must continue on another day, as fatigue can ruin the will of the horse. • Not fair to jump a lot every day.
Free Jumping • Round pen, or loose in an arena, or on lunge line • Make a chute • Make it simple, inviting • Start with poles on the ground • Map out the learning plan • Be consistent and understandable • Make it easy for the horse to get it right.
Arena Chute
Round pen chute
Now add the rider • Your horse has jumped some on his own • Understands the basic idea of jumping • The rider is capable of understanding their position and job, 2 point and release • I like to let the rider ride the horse thru the chute, as the horse understands it • Placement poles help to learn the rhythm • Always have a ground person to help
Proper warm up • Horses need a suitable warm up so not to pull muscles when they jump • Hacking and loosening up is important • Starting over small cross rails to loosen the jumping muscles is good • Continue to improve ride ability with proper warm up exercises • Keep the plan fun and consistent
Placement poles • Trotting to a jump put a pole 7ft-9ft in front of the jump, two steps then jump. This allows the horse to figure out the math problem, taking it out of the riders job. • Cantering poles are 10-12 ft in front of the jump, the horse will bounce thru this. • These train the horse to fix the distance for the rider. • Simple is the best way
Adjustability • When you trot into a line of two jumps, it is normal to add one more stride in that line than when you canter in to it. • Even pace is the most important lesson for the horse and rider to know. • Without control, it is unsafe to jump. • Trust comes with control.
Hunter Hack
In Conclusion • Be able to lengthen and shorten strides • Be able to ride without stirrups • Be able to do the 2 point position • Be able to give a good release • Get comfortable jumping 2 jumps • Create a happy jumping horse • Continue to learn and improve
Round pen work
