cantering and training to jump???

mustang_hope22 · 08-14-2008, 07:31 PM

hey...

i have a 3 year old Quarter Horse gelding and I have been working him about 4 days a week...the only work I have been doing with him is trotting and some barrel patterns at the trot just to keep him from getting bored...

He has been cantered before and I have cantered him at his trainer's barn before, but when I brought him home he was a little more "wild"...he even made a run for it while i was riding him the 2nd day i had him home...i only had him at a trot too!

But anywayz, I am trying to talk myself into cantering him...but I hate to say it, but i am a little afraid to. Any help on calming my nerves and to keep me relaxed on him???

And i am also going to try to start him on small...SMALL jumps...any help on that either?? thanks guys!!!

**taelesean** · 08-14-2008, 11:53 PM

He's 3, he's going to test you, he's going to act silly, and sometimes he's going to be a bad pony. You need to treat him consistantly no matter what he does - correct him when he's wrong with no more harshness than neccessary and reward the slightest try to do the right.

If you can, lunge him before you ride, and each time you ride, start by walking a pattern several times, then trot and walk on the rail, asking for the changes in gait and even coming to a stop before walking or trotting on. Then trot a pattern, then canter on the rail, again asking for changes in gait and speed. These excersizes will build your confidence and his respect for you as a worthy leader.

It sounds like he's not really ready for jumping yet - be patient and you'll get there. Lose pateince and you'll wreck.

Good luck!

Crookedblaze · 08-15-2008, 12:30 AM

I agree with Taelesean...

I wouldn't jump him until you have him solid on cantering. The best advice I can give you is pretend like cantering is nothing big. Treat it as if it were an everyday thing, the horse will respond.

Good luck!

EquineAlberta · 08-15-2008, 09:53 AM

He is only three so he is going through a lot of physical and mental changes. You may not feel ready to canter because of those changes putting him off balance. Cantering him on the lunge and seeing him go well may give you more confidence to canter on his back. What type of ring do you have to work in? Too small/narrow a space will make it harder for him to balance and canter, but at the same time an open feild may make it harder for him to focus and for you to feel safe.

Trot poles are good excercises for a 3 year old to prepare for a future in jumping. I see no positive benefit in doing jumps at this age.

Karen

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Training NOT To Jump Trail Obstacles	ahlihaff	Training	7	04-20-2008 09:07 PM
Jump Training - too much too soon??	IrishRed32	Training	10	09-10-2007 10:48 AM
cantering	bettymo	Horse Stories	7	10-01-2006 09:40 PM
Not Cantering(sp??)HELP???	Charlies'_Angel	Training	3	02-21-2005 10:30 AM

08-14-2008, 07:31 PM
mustang_hope22 Halter broke Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 138	cantering and training to jump??? hey... i have a 3 year old Quarter Horse gelding and I have been working him about 4 days a week...the only work I have been doing with him is trotting and some barrel patterns at the trot just to keep him from getting bored... He has been cantered before and I have cantered him at his trainer's barn before, but when I brought him home he was a little more "wild"...he even made a run for it while i was riding him the 2nd day i had him home...i only had him at a trot too! But anywayz, I am trying to talk myself into cantering him...but I hate to say it, but i am a little afraid to. Any help on calming my nerves and to keep me relaxed on him??? And i am also going to try to start him on small...SMALL jumps...any help on that either?? thanks guys!!!

08-14-2008, 11:53 PM
taelesean Administrator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 5,675	He's 3, he's going to test you, he's going to act silly, and sometimes he's going to be a bad pony. You need to treat him consistantly no matter what he does - correct him when he's wrong with no more harshness than neccessary and reward the slightest try to do the right. If you can, lunge him before you ride, and each time you ride, start by walking a pattern several times, then trot and walk on the rail, asking for the changes in gait and even coming to a stop before walking or trotting on. Then trot a pattern, then canter on the rail, again asking for changes in gait and speed. These excersizes will build your confidence and his respect for you as a worthy leader. It sounds like he's not really ready for jumping yet - be patient and you'll get there. Lose pateince and you'll wreck. Good luck! __________________

08-15-2008, 12:30 AM
Crookedblaze Started Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,447	I agree with Taelesean... I wouldn't jump him until you have him solid on cantering. The best advice I can give you is pretend like cantering is nothing big. Treat it as if it were an everyday thing, the horse will respond. Good luck! __________________ Owned by Rocketman, a 17 year old AQHA and Stormy, a 10 year old Peruvian Paso x Arab

08-15-2008, 09:53 AM
EquineAlberta Seasoned Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 4,470	He is only three so he is going through a lot of physical and mental changes. You may not feel ready to canter because of those changes putting him off balance. Cantering him on the lunge and seeing him go well may give you more confidence to canter on his back. What type of ring do you have to work in? Too small/narrow a space will make it harder for him to balance and canter, but at the same time an open feild may make it harder for him to focus and for you to feel safe. Trot poles are good excercises for a 3 year old to prepare for a future in jumping. I see no positive benefit in doing jumps at this age. Karen __________________ Hillside Stable, Ardrossan, AB Do unto others as you would have them do unto you...is it really that hard?