Problem Horse

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Problem Horse

Hello Everyone! I have been leasing a 6 yr. old Paint horse for about 2 months now. I have gotten him to listen to me and not act up. But now I have a problem. I am trying to get him to jump a small cross rail (about 2 feet high) and he will not do it. Occasionally he will do it from a trot, but he doesn't jump smoothly. He trots up to it, slows down then like jumps straight up. The other day, I got him to do it pretty good, and I decided to try it from a canter. He would NOT make the turn at the canter needed to jump the cross rail. Then I decided to try him back at a trot, and he would not do it. He speeds up as we approach it, as if he were going to jump it, then just stops. I am getting very frustrated and angry due to the fact that I have heard from many people who have seen him jump, and jump well. I don't understand why this horse will not do this simple task for me. I was wondering if anyone had any tips on how to make this pain in the butt horse listen to me and do what is asked. Thank you!

Average Grade: B-

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	Jamelia	30-Jul-02

Your horse probably does not like to jump, for some horses jumping is the right thing, but for others flat work and trail riding suits them... maybe you should try riding him just on the flat, and work on your Ec. and not bother jumping him. And i am sure that you have hit him with the crop a million times, but if he dont wanna go, dont make him because you will only make madders worse, especially if he has not jumped that much, maybe try western riding or trails.

	Jessica	19-Jul-02

When I've trained some of my younger horses to jump, they have done this. I would say to sit back until you get right to the jump. Then go up in your 2 point. My horse used to canter up to the jump and my instructor said becuase he wanted to fake me out. Keep you legs on your horse...maybe carrying a crop with you would . If you notice your horse goes off to one side of the jump when he refuses...carry the crop on that side and give him a good kick with your leg. Just keep at maybe lunging your horse over the jump will make him more comftorble. Try making the jump lower and take jumping lessons. I wish you and your horse the best of luck!

	Molly	16-Jul-02

I feel ur pain. tips- right when ur approaching the fence, when you feel him backing off, or starting to slow down close your leg, and gently tap him with your crop behind your leg, if he still stops, make him stop in the center and dont let him wander to the right or left. When your horse doesn't listen to you when your asking him to turn, emidiatley halt and back up, make him listen to you. When your first teaching your horse to jump, start with gymnastics, first poles on the ground, then raising them higher and higher, this teaches them how to jump, Do you have a trainer, if so ask her/him to get on and school your horse. The main thing don't give up, once they get tired they don't want to work, and they just refuse, dont let them. Think u are going to jump that fence whether or not you want to.

	Autumn	16-Jul-02

Hey it may be that he has'nt yet learned what you are asking from him, first start off with setting a couple of ground poles, maybe 3 or 4 in a row about a horse stride away from each other, then walk him over them. He will start to respond by picking his feet up over them and steping lighty across them. Then try at a trot and then lope. In order to get to 2 ft high you must gradually get him to jump that height. Start with a 12" cross jump,if he does this after a couple times rise it slightly higher. You must be patient some horses have to be taught that your supposed to jump and not stop in front of it. Remember to him by erging him over the jump and after he's done treat him with a treat to let him know he's doing what he's supposed too.

	Isabel	09-Jul-02

I would also recommend hitting him w/ur crop & using ur voice. That usually gets them moving along. Or u could eventually ask a trainer if he's not responding to u.........but mainly I'd recommend just a lotta patience.

	tim	08-Jul-02

mAKE SURE YOU HIT HIM HARD WITH YOUR CROP WHEN HE DOESN'T JUMP. OTHERWISE, IF HE GETS USE TO STOPPING AT JUMPS IT VERY BAd. nO ONE WOULD WANT TO BUY HIM AND WHEN YOU EVENTUALLY START DOING BIGGER JUMPS HE COULD KILL YOU IF HE STOP BEFORE A JUMP. sO HIT HIM HARD AND GET HIM TO GO OVER THE JUMP AND USE YOUR VOICE TO GET HIM OVER. gOOD LUCK!