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Help! Raising his head on the way to jumps
Topic Started: Apr 1 2007, 02:13 PM (281 Views)
irishannie
Weanling
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My 6yo TB gelding has started raising his head on the way to certain jumps. He is a quiet horse who has been jumping about a year. This is new behavior (for the past 90 days) that he exhibitis going to CERTAIN jumps, mostly singles with a long approach. He does it at shows and at home. Since he is a hunter, not a jumper, I need to correct this. What should I do? I'm open to hearing things I might be doing that contribute. He does not lift his head at the "in" or "out" of lines. He is not usually strong. I am an Ad/Am and have been riding for 20 years. My trainer can't identify anything I am doing, but there must be something. Thoughts appreciated :unsure:
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ShawneeAcres
We're on a bridge, Chaaaaaaaaarlie!
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I would have his vision checked. Horses cannot focus their eyes the way that we humans do, they must raise or lower their head to focus on things far away or up close, this changes the angle at which the light rays hit the llens of the eye. If he is jhust starting to do this perhaps, something is interfering with his vision.
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Kikki
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It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure!
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ShawneeAcres
Apr 1 2007, 05:11 PM
I would have his vision checked. Horses cannot focus their eyes the way that we humans do, they must raise or lower their head to focus on things far away or up close, this changes the angle at which the light rays hit the llens of the eye. If he is jhust starting to do this perhaps, something is interfering with his vision.

First thing when I was reading your post as well - horses focus by raising and lowering their heads. Thats why you will see horses raise then lower then raise their heads when they see something very interesting. They are studying it.
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irishannie
Weanling
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I feel like this is a confidence issue, but I will definitely have his eyes checked. It seems like he is anticipating the single jumps set on the diagonal. I just don't know how to correct it.
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ShawneeAcres
We're on a bridge, Chaaaaaaaaarlie!
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genenrally if a horse is anticipating they will quiken, or suck back. ALso odd he'd anticipate a particula type of fence. The other question is, are YOU nervous about a specific type of fence? Some people like oxers but not verticals and perhaps you are sending a signal whcih is causing him to tense up
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Black Tack
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How many riders love the single jump with the long approach? So much time to change our minds...nit pick....adjust this or that....

Could it be that you are riding them differently, even just confidence wise? Enough that a sensitive horse may have picked up on it.

But I also agree with having his eyes checked just for your own peace of mind.
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irishannie
Weanling
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Well, to be honest, I don't like long approaches to singles. It's so much harder to see a distance, and that's not easy for me anyway. Good point. I will think about relaxing and see if that helps. There is another rider who rides my horse for me. He does this with her as well. She tends to hold him more, where I am more inclined to let go and let him find the distance. He is happier with the "let me do my job" ride, but he's not always perfect :sigh: so he's gotta get over the idea that he knows best. I'm still not really sure how to correct the behavor. Should I circle when he lifts his head?
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jetsmom
I Visited Candy Mountain and All I Got Was This Lousy Incision
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Any chance you might be sitting deeper on his back trying to wait, causing him to raise his head and hollow his back? I know most trainers tell you the hardest thing to do is wait for the jump to come to you, especially on the diagonal to a long single. I'm just wondering if you might be really focusing on sitting up and waiting, but are sitting deep and driving with you seat?

Try keeping the slightest bend, coming around the corner, and adding a little leg if his head comes up.
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irishannie
Weanling
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Sitting deep is not something I do well. My trainer is constantly telling me to "sit, sit, sit". I tend to have a more forward position. I am lessoning tomorrow and we're gonna work on it, so I'll let everyone know what I discover. Thanks for all of the suggestions!
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irishannie
Weanling
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Update: We had a great lesson, with no head raising on the way to the jumps! :clap: I have decided that it's mostly nerves (horse and rider) at the shows. He is still a young, green horse who is seeing things for the first time. thanks for all the tips.
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