Jumping exercises horse 1
Author: Elin Åkerholm
Updated: 2024.09.27
Jumping exercises for horse and rider can help strengthen both the horse’s and rider’s balance, position, coordination, and teamwork. This jump exercise can be fully adapted to the horse’s and rider’s skill level and helps develop strength, agility, and balance. Peder Fredricson, founder of Bhoof, practices this exercise with his horses and shares more about it here.
Gymnastic Jumping Exercise
About the jumping exercise
Improve strength and coordination. This jumping exercise is designed to improve the horse’s strength and the rider’s balance. By working on rhythm and coordination, the horse’s agility improves, while the rider practices balance, position and communication. This is an excellent gymnastic exercise for both horse and rider at all levels and can be fully adjusted according to you and your horse’s skill level.
Horse in the video
- Name: H&M Bahia
- Gender: Mare
- Age: 10 years
- Level: 1.60m show jumping
Peder’s equipment for this jumping exercise
Contact us at info@bhoof.com to be added to the waitlist for out-of-stock products.
Arena and surface for the exercise
- Dimensions: 70×30 meters
- Surface: Fiber sand
Goals of the jumping exercise
For the horse
- Build strength and agility.
- Gymnastic training.
- Improved reaction time and coordination.
For the rider
- Develop balance.
- Improve position, hands and legs.
- Better rhythm in jumping.
- Strengthened teamwork and communication with the horse.
Course plan
Jump distances – adjust for your horse
- Horse: 3.00-3.50 meters (10-11.5 feet)
- D-pony: 2.75-3.00 meters (9-10 feet)
- C-pony: 2.50-2.75 meters (8-9 feet)
- B-pony: 2.25-2.50 meters (7-8 feet)
Adjust these distances based on your horse’s stride length. A longer stride may require more distance, while a shorter stride may need less distance between the jump and ground pole.
Jump height in the exercise
Start with a lower height to warm up your horse and gradually increase. Peder began at about 80 cm and finished the exercise at about 120 cm.
Easy
Jump the series on the centerline.
Medium
Start on the right rein and turn up to the first oxer. Then proceed to jump the series on the centerline.
Hard
Start on the right rein and turn up to the first oxer. Then jump the series. Continue on the left rein and turn up to the fence on the diagonal, then jump the series again on the right rein. Always consult your trainer for the right plan for you and your horse.
Repetitions and frequency of the exercise
Adapt the number of repetitions depending on your horse’s fitness and strength. Allow your horse to rest between repetitions and monitor its breathing. The horse should return to normal breathing before repeating the exercise.
Frequency: This exercise can be done once a week to once a month, depending on your training plan and goals.
“For a successful jumping exercise, maintain a steady and controlled pace, adjust according to the horse’s ability and condition on the day, and always consult your trainer. Through this exercise, both balance, seat, strength, and harmony are developed, leading to better performance in the competition arena.”
– Peder Fredricson
Good luck!
Feel free to share when you are doing the exercise and tag us @wearebhoof
