Thursday, July 30, 2009

How to train for jumping show..Details inside!?

Hey!
Here is the thing I am getting the most perfect,responsive best jumping horse there could be tommorow, and I am planning to do lots of showjumping and things like that with him.BUT..at the livery yard (it is the only one near enough to us and it is lovely there so I am not moving!) the arena is 7 metres by 8 metres big...which is really quite small, so how am I going to train him for showjumping as it will be a course if there is not enough room to do it!?
Answers:
It's a big deal to really like the boarding stable you're at. Been boarding for 29 years....I know..
However, you might do some more checking around. Really good stables where I live rarely advertise -and they are all privately owned...so, it doesn't hurt to look. If you have a horse trailer or a friend with one, perhaps you could trailer to another location. However, you'll have to pay a rental fee, and arrange your visits in advance.....another expense and time consuming...
So, if I were you, I would buy some poles and cups and haul them down to that field. Make sure you have permission and be very respectful of the owner of the field. (Perhaps you could mow it for them?) Also, you need to go over it very thoroughly and make sure the footing is good. When you are done practicing, you should stack the jump poles up in a corner out of the way.
You are right to be worried. Doing alot of turns in a tight space is VERY hard on your horse. You are going to cause him premature wear and tear, and possibly serious injury. You are right to be worried about logs, as they aren't going to give and also could cause more injury to your horse. However, a few small logs interspersed with 3 or 4 proper jumps might not be bad practice. ?
As for preparing for a show, remember to practice the basics of ground work, half halts, and leg yields and keep your horse listening to you. If he's paying attention and responsive, you should be ready to handle anything!
Good luck!
Just try to see if the arena is big anough- if it's way to small, I would go on trail rides just to practice jumping high logs, but some great show jumpers aren't good on trails so be careful. If that doesn't work out then I find a plot of land on set some jumps up or use a differnt local stables arena for a small fee. You gotta do what you gotta do, (I don't have an arena ethier).:)
I think that you should firstly practice on an open feild with a lot of room, then go to the arena.

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