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At 08:54:43 on 24.12.09, Shazzie B wrote: Hi I wonder if anyone has any help with jumping for me. I have a great horse who is fab at jumping. He will take it as slow or as quick as I want, and I am convinced he knows it worries me and so is really careful with what he does. He never runs out or stops, and if he feels me getting uneasy he will come back to walk ot trot and just step over it. Its all me. I just get so worried by jumping. I am not really worried about anything else, hacking, schooling, galloping, etc, its just leaving the ground thats the problem. I have started to feel comfortable cantering over small raised poles, but if you put them into a cross, I freeze. I have even been known to cry!! How embarassing is that?? Any ideas will be welcome. thanks and merry christmas!!
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At 09:58:33 on 24.12.09, Flicka wrote: I don't think it's embarrassing at all and you're very brave to admit your fears Admitting them is actually your first step to over coming them so well done. I do love the sound of your horse, he sounds so honest and really looks after you so you've got the perfect partner to help you get over your fears. Personally I would start to take notice of your breath because when we get nervous we tend to hold it. Try and breathe slowly into your tummy and lower back. Practice it off the horse to begin with. A lot of us breathe to high up into our chests. Notice how you breathe when you are riding without jumping and try and breathe out for longer than you breathe in. Start off with three in and four out and then increas to four in five out. Once you are more aware of your breath in riding situations you are comfortable in try and focus on your breath and maintain it when you approach a jump. Anyway I know breathing really has worked for me but I look forward to seeing what Caroline has to say because I know she'll have some brilliant ideas and I shall be keenly watching this space!
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At 08:03:31 on 25.12.09, Shazzie B wrote: Thanks Flicka, that makes sense. To be honest if I concentrate on my breathing, I wont be concentrating on the jump as much. My first riding instructor used to make me sing when I was learning to canter as he said I used to hold my breathe!! So you sound absolutely right! I will definitely give this a go.
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At 10:02:46 on 31.12.09, Gords wrote: Hi Shazzie. Ive just joined and this is my first post. In the thoughts you've expressed its like you're reading my mind. I'm sharing a fabulous horse who, like yours, is rock solid jumping. He can jump big when he needs to but will keep the pace and height that I want him to. Leaving the ground is my thing too. Counting strides out loud helps but for me right now its all about establishing rhythm and keeping it - poles on the ground then tiny crosspoles or little uprights. And keeping at the tiny stuff a little bit at a time. Breathing as Flicka says is so essential and the more relaxed you are the better. Sounds so easy as I write this but I know it is so hard !! Best of luck !! Gords
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At 13:10:40 on 31.12.09, Shazzie B wrote: Thanks, yes, I will adopt the starting small approach. But I am going to do it at my pace as you suggest. In the past friends have pushed me to quick I think. And some of that is because they knew I used to jump to about 3 foot before my crisis. But my new years resolution is to crack on with it, so I will take everyones advice.
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At 21:06:16 on 02.01.10, sophieandcallum wrote: I sang through jumping after getting my confidence back, tragicly, to jump my pony I had to teach him to first so very scary prospect but singing definately worked for me! Putting my ipod in and just riding with the music and singing along while counting strides and concentrating on helping him than being scared. We have now successfully conquered 3'3"...the highest I have jumped..ever! I only started jumping again last winter so it is possible! Definately take it slow, but it really does sound like you have the perfect horse for you! My boy was soooo honest just inexperienced, so one less thing to worry about with your horse is the running out or refusing I think breathing and/or singing will definately help you and you'll be popping over a course in a no time:)
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At 22:01:16 on 02.01.10, NMH wrote: Yours is such a confidence-inspiring story, to conquer damaged nerves, teach a pony & get it back together yourself all in one go! It emphasizes to me that you have to feel the horse itself is the right one, & to WANT to do it, & to build trust gradually between you.
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At 07:25:18 on 03.01.10, Shazzie B wrote: Thanks everyone. I have set myself the goal of jumping at least 1 foot by the end of January. I am going to do everything you have all suggested and will keep you posted. My goal is to go round a small cross country course near to me by the summer, but I am only going to aim for the small jumps. But thats my plan. wish me luck!!
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At 12:17:54 on 06.01.10, CarolineP wrote: Hi Everyone! Confidence is such a funny thing, isn't it? It really is all in the head, although none the less real for that of course. Flicka's suggestion about breathing is good. Calming Breathing will help you and the horse. Start being aware of your breathing and making it slow and rhythmical before you ever get on the horse. The slow outbreath is the key to staying calm and it will help your rhythm too. Remember that jumping is just like an elevated canter stride. If you're jumping small fences, let the horse do the work. Look over the fence to a point in the middle distance and let the fence come to you. Have you ever swum in the sea and felt the waves lift you and move you forwards in a smooth arc? If you have felt that, imagine it as you canter and jump. I don't know if the relevant issue of Horse magazine is still available, but I did a little piece in there about jumping for novices and, although you're not a novice, the tips would help you. I think it might have been the December issue, or maybe January. The other thing I would suggest is using mental rehearsal to help you. Imagine going over a pole on the ground, then when you feel OK with that, make it a little higher. Rehearse exactly what you're going to do, how it feels, what you'll be thinking and saying to yourself etc. The more you rehearse, the more part of you it becomes and the easier it is when you come to do it in reality. Good luck and let me know how you're getting on. Kind regards, Caroline http://www.enjoyriding.com
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