Obie problems =[

I rode Obie(large, slow, adorable) and he was being lazy to i tapped him on the shoulder before every jump. He was doing fine but he jumped like a stride early and I came SO close to flying off him. Obie does things like that, no matter how hard I try to slow him down or make him get another strie in. It goes from half-halts to all out pulling before he'll start to listen =[ It sounds rediculous, but I'm actually afraid to ride him. I've come close to falling off 3 times,and two of them were on Obie. It's getting to where I'm almost dreading my riding lessons because I might have to ride Obie. Any ideas on how to get him to listen to me more?

Also, he really rushes at EVERY jump we go over, no matter what I do...any tips there either?

Just before your about to jump him give him a kick and a tap on the butt.
When your actually jumping pull the rains back. See if that helps.
If your getting lessons why isnt your coach telling you how to fix this:confused:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by buttercup132

When your actually jumping pull the rains back. See if that helps.

---

Please don't do that. Horses need a release while going over the fence or they won't be able to clear it.

Try a half-hault before the fence. If you're sitting back, waiting, and jumping at the same time as him, you shouldn't be getting thrown around. :)

Thanks, I try my best but he gets so excited so normally I' trying my best to give him a half halt and keep him going towards the fence. Yes, my insturctor helps me with getting that extra step in and slowing him down, but no so much the making him listen to me and helping my confidence because she doesn't know im afraid to ride him. But there's so many people in my riding class(5 or 6) she's sometimes too busy trying to help another rider[theres rider of all levels in my class] that she can't spend 20minutes helping me on something.

Sounds to me like Obie knows that your getting scared to ride him. My horse lizard will buck anyone off that he knows is nervose(spelling?). I've been thrown hundreds of times! Does he relieze that your the one in controll or does he think that he is the boss? My boy Ichabod thinkd that no matter what he is the boss of what happens and how it happens. All I had to do was show him that I'm the boss and not him. I hope this helped some. Sorry my spelling isn't the greatest. I've never jumped before so I can't help you with that.

hmm he probably does...next time I ride him I'm going to try to not be scared and be the boss. Thanks soo much!

All I can help with is be in the mindset that you ARE going to get that extra stride in, and make sure you do what it takes (whatever you think is right at that moment) to get there. Also make sure you're jumping low. I agree to NEVER catch him in the mouth over a jump. That's called one of the "cardinal sins" of horsemanship. I'd try trotting into the jumps, you say he takes a big spot so I'm assuming you're cantering in. Make sure you sit back and ride him to the fence. I'd also tell your instructor you're nervous, he/she can probably help.
p.s. At our barn we have a small ponu named Obie :)

Okay, so he is slow and lazy just doing flatwork and then he rushes at the jumps? Why are you using a crop over the jumps if he rushes them? He may be trying to escape the crop, realizing that it's coming and trying to jump as quick as he can so he dosen't get hit? If that isn't the problem, I would just try the circling method. Ride in a straight line to a jump, make it obvious that you are going to jump-when you feel him start to speed up (like he is going to rush it) then quickly circle away (without jumping) and try it again until he remains calm while jumping.

And yes, please don't pull the reins over the jump-that might cause him to start refusing. And I would rather be on a horse that rushes than refuses :).

A different bit while jumping may be in order. I would look at something not harsher, but something that gets his attention.