Hunter Hack
Let’s get it right.
What do I need to know?
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Do I know how to jump?
Does my horse know how to jump?
Do I know someone who can help me?
How long do I have to prepare?
If I do it right will my horse like it?
Is it fun for my horse?
The safe steps to teach us to jump.
Questions Need To Be Answered
YES!
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Can I walk, trot and canter in control?
Can I ride comfortably without my stirrups?
Can I regulate my horse’s stride?
Can I steer my horse to go where I want it
to go?
• Can I do my 2 point position at all gaits?
What is a good jump?
• The horse arrives at
the jump in an even
rhythm, leaves the
ground balanced and
straight, lands
smoothly and canters
away.
Riders Job
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To create a good balanced rhythm.
Maintaining a consistent pace to the jump.
Steer the horse to the center of the jump.
Give a good release to allow the horse to
use it’s head and neck over the jump.
• Maintain the 2 point in the air and land in
balance with the horse.
• Canter away in a controlled rhythm.
The Release is SO Important.
• Horses must pull their
head down and
forward to jump a
balanced jump.
• If they are not allowed
to use their head and
neck, they will be
physically unable to
jump easily.
Frustration
• If the horse is not taught how to do the job
asked of it.
• The rider cannot feel what is needed to
help the horse, or stay out of the way.
• Pain in jumping leads to fear, or reluctance
to jump at all.
• If the horse has physical issues that
makes it hard for it to jump.
Equipment needed to jump
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Standards
Rails
Cups
Some fill materials, brush, flower boxes.
Suitable footing, safe for the horse.
100 foot measuring tape
English Saddle and Bridle
Math Problem
• Jumping is a math problem.
• The basic knowledge must be learned
before jumping is recommended.
• Shortening stride
• Lengthening stride
• Communication with rider
• Good balance, and control
• Willing to learn the process
Riding Exercise 1
• Set 2 poles on the ground 58 feet apart
• Walk thru the poles in an even rhythm
count the number of steps your horse
takes. Slow down add 2 more, speed up
and leave 2 out. Do same at the trot.
• Cantering this line should be 4 strides for
the normal striding horse.
• Do this in 4, 5, 6 even strides.
Counting Strides
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The simple way:
Land, 1, 2, 3, 4.
Counting helps the rider keep a rhythm.
Helps in learning to see a distance.
A good rhythm allows the horse to decide
when it is time to jump.
Measurements
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Trotting poles 7ft-9ft
Cantering poles Bounce 10-12 ft
Trotting one stride 18 feet
Cantering one stride 24 feet
Cantering two stride 36 feet
Cantering three strides 48 feet
Cantering four strides 60 feet.
How much should I jump?
• Depends on the horse’s fitness level
• Jumping uses different muscles which
must be developed.
• Start with a simple fitness plan, and stick
to it. Sometimes the lesson must continue
on another day, as fatigue can ruin the will
of the horse.
• Not fair to jump a lot every day.
Free Jumping
• Round pen, or loose in an arena, or on
lunge line
• Make a chute
• Make it simple, inviting
• Start with poles on the ground
• Map out the learning plan
• Be consistent and understandable
• Make it easy for the horse to get it right.
Arena Chute
Round pen chute
Now add the rider
• Your horse has jumped some on his own
• Understands the basic idea of jumping
• The rider is capable of understanding their
position and job, 2 point and release
• I like to let the rider ride the horse thru the
chute, as the horse understands it
• Placement poles help to learn the rhythm
• Always have a ground person to help
Proper warm up
• Horses need a suitable warm up so not to
pull muscles when they jump
• Hacking and loosening up is important
• Starting over small cross rails to loosen
the jumping muscles is good
• Continue to improve ride ability with proper
warm up exercises
• Keep the plan fun and consistent
Placement poles
• Trotting to a jump put a pole 7ft-9ft in front
of the jump, two steps then jump. This
allows the horse to figure out the math
problem, taking it out of the riders job.
• Cantering poles are 10-12 ft in front of the
jump, the horse will bounce thru this.
• These train the horse to fix the distance for
the rider.
• Simple is the best way
Adjustability
• When you trot into a line of two jumps, it is
normal to add one more stride in that line
than when you canter in to it.
• Even pace is the most important lesson for
the horse and rider to know.
• Without control, it is unsafe to jump.
• Trust comes with control.
Hunter Hack
Hunter Hack
Jumping many jumps
Basic Jumping
In Conclusion
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Be able to lengthen and shorten strides
Be able to ride without stirrups
Be able to do the 2 point position
Be able to give a good release
Get comfortable jumping 2 jumps
Create a happy jumping horse
Continue to learn and improve
Round pen work