Jumping is one of the most exciting and challenging equestrian sports, but not all horses enjoy it. Some simply aren’t cut out for the high-speed, high-intensity jumps that are a part of this sport. However, many horses will learn to love jumping as they mature as an athlete and continue to improve their skills. If your horse isn’t jumping well or seems apprehensive about jumping from the beginning, there may be a psychological reason why. While some issues are external and can be resolved with training modification, others are more internal and may require thorough investigation by a horse trainer or behaviorist. There are many things to consider when trying to determine if your horse isn’t jumping well or isn't interested in the sport. Some common problems might include lack of confidence, poor training methods, or even a fear of jumping. It’s important to understand why your horse isn’t jumping and then develop a plan on how to correct these issues, as they’re likely to hinder your efforts and continue to be a barrier to progress.
How to tell if your horse isn't jumping well
The first step in determining if your horse isn’t jumping well is to look at the horse’s conformation. The way a horse stands and moves is an indication of their temperament and level of confidence. A horse that is unsure of itself will stand with its back legs slightly further back than the front, resulting in a round-backed appearance. This is often a sign of shyness or nervousness and is likely the reason your horse isn’t jumping. Another cause for this behavior may be a lack of confidence in the rider’s ability to control the horse. If the horse is ridden in an open and unsecure manner, it will be less likely to jump because it doesn’t trust that the rider will be able to control its movements. A horse that is a little unbalanced will often stand with its back legs further back than the front, but will also have a tendency to rock from side to side as it stands. This rocking is a sign that the horse is overbalanced and likely lacks confidence. A horse that is too tall for its rider to be fully seated may also be unbalanced and not be able to jump because it has trouble finding a secure center of gravity. A horse that has a long, straight back that is too tight or too short is likely suffering from an issue with over-flying or under-flying. Over-flying, also known as the snaffle seat, is when a horse’s abdomen is too tight, making it difficult for the rider to control the horse. Under-flying is the opposite, when the horse’s abdomen is too loose and the rider has difficulty maintaining balance. A horse that has a long, flexible neck or a long, flexible back is likely suffering from an issue with over-flying or under-flying. A horse that has a long, flexible neck, or is over-flying, will have trouble finding a secure center of gravity because there is too much length in the spine. A horse that has a long, flexible back, or is under-flying, will have poor balance because there is too much flexibility and the horse can’t find a secure center of gravity.
Check the jumps
Next, you should check the jumps to see if they are suitable for the horse. Horses that are unbalanced and have poor balance will struggle to clear jumps that are too high or too wide. Similarly, a horse that is unbalanced may prefer smaller jumps that it can clear easily. This will help you to identify potential issues with the horse’s conformation and allow you to adjust the jumps to suit the horse’s abilities and preferences. If the jumps aren’t suitable for the horse, you may want to consider purchasing jump rails or pads. This will allow you to alter the size and shape of the jumps and make them more suitable for the horse. A horse that is unbalanced may also struggle to clear jumps if they are too low. This is often the case with older, less experienced riders who are more likely to choose jumps that are lower than the horse is capable of jumping. This could cause frustration for the horse, as it will struggle to clear the jumps and may not be ridden again until the rider decides to choose jumps that are suitable for the horse.
Look at the rider’s position
Next, you should look at the rider’s position. A horse that is unbalanced is likely to suffer from poor rider position. The rider’s balance and connection to the horse will affect its athleticism and the horse’s decision-making abilities. A horse that is unbalanced may benefit from a rider with a higher seat, as this will help to correct the horse’s center of gravity. A rider with a higher seat will also have greater visibility of the horse’s movement and be better able to control the horse. A rider with a lower seat will have less visibility and be less able to control the horse. A rider with a lower seat may also benefit from a stirrup adjustment to help correct the rider’s balance. A rider with a lower seat and a horse that is unbalanced will likely struggle to ride the horse at an intermediate level of ability. A rider with a lower seat will have less visibility of the horse’s movements, making it harder to adjust the horse’s movements to improve its athleticism.
Check the rider’s confidence
Finally, you should look at the rider’s confidence. A horse that is unbalanced and doesn’t trust its rider may shy away from jumping. A rider who is not confident in their ability to ride the horse may also shy away from jumping, as they may be afraid of making a mistake. A rider who isn’t confident in their ability may also be afraid of falling or struggling with the horse, making them less likely to try to improve the horse’s jumping ability. A rider who is not confident in their ability to jump may also have a poor training method, which can hinder the horse’s ability to jump. A rider who isn’t confident in their ability to jump should consider taking a training class to improve their skills, as this will help them to build their confidence and allow them to improve their horse’s jumping ability. A rider who is not confident in their ability may also struggle to help the horse improve, as they may not know what to change or how to change it.
Conclusion
If your horse isn’t jumping well, there are many reasons why. Your horse may be unbalanced, shy, or simply not interested in jumping. It’s important to understand the reasons for the problem and then develop a plan on how to correct the issue. Some issues, such as poor jumps or an unbalanced rider, can be addressed quickly, while others, such as a shy horse or a fear of jumping, may take longer to correct.