Question # 138: My horse and I haven't been jumping too long, and have just started getting to the 2'3" to 2'6" heights.
As we got higher than two feet, some of her bad habits have become more apparent, such as slowing down coming towards a jump and getting the deep distance every. single. time. I'm not skilled enough to help her get the right distance yet, and I have a feeling that's the majority of her problem. She'll see the jump, feel strong and forward and excited and ready for it, then it's like she loses confidence as she gets closer, and often ends up stutter-stepping or trotting then jumping. And now with a slightly higher height, she often ends up stopping, or stopping and then jumping from a dead stop (which often ends with me on her neck or on the ground). I know I'm making things worse now because I'm anticipating her stopping. We need to be moving at a faster pace, she's cantering practically western pleasure style right now thanks to having a ridiculously tiny arena to jump in where she couldn't get a good canter. But until we get her to the right distance where she can confidently take off, our rhythm is going to be all over the place. I was thinking gymnastics might help her, but wanted to know what you thought we should do? I've dropped her back down to her comfortable, easy 2 feet for now until we get this straightened out. Thanks! (Holly)
Hi Holly!
Usually when this happens it is a simple matter of... (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)
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