Filler Trouble

[ilovebeaubies]

I have a show tommorow on my Section D Cob. We are jumping 2', 2'3 and 2'6. He stops at the garish fillers, so some times I get eliminated. Does any body have any tips to get him to jump those scary fillers first time (I really want a clear round! ;D ;D ;D!)

[Maes Seren]

Take him up to them and let him see them.
I presume that in the 2ft they'll be pulled out to the side? Thats a good way to get him confident.

Also, when youre approaching the fence, sit up tall, and ride forwards, kick hard with your legs if necessary, hold him in and look up and towards the next fence, if you feel him about to refuse, give him a little tap with your whip.

Use the 2ft as a schooling round, let him see everything, maybe approach from trot if that'll give him more time to see the fence, if he'll jump from trot.

[ilovebeaubies]

Thanks King Eddie, that really helped! He will definitely jump in trot in 2 foot and maybe 2 foot 3.

[fleabitten]

Get a nice steady forward trot or canter whichever you feel more comfortable with. Make good turns so he can see the jump. perhaps making a short line into the jump so he has less time to think about running out.

Ride really determinedly - clamp your legs round his sides and keep each rein firm giving him a few kicks coming up to the jump if necessary. If he is more prone to running out rather than stopping you could lift your hands up and out to the side so he doesnt know which way you are going to turn. A tap on the shoulder or even just holding your whip in the hand that he might be more likely to run out to.

[FirenLady]

i was told to hold your hands wide and squeeze with your legs like your trying to get him through a tunnel. If you get there early and ask to do CR first you can give him time to walk around a have a look. If he has a favoured side for running out carry a stick and wave it at him.

Obivously not for tomorrow but you could make a few fillers and practice at home.

[FirenLady]

scuse the dog, my pony hates fillers too, these are a coupla i made to desinsitise him. the second one is pallets.





Good luck for tomorrow! let us know how it goes.

[ilovebeaubies]

I have just come back from the show and I jumped just 2 foot and 2 foot 3. In the 2 foot we got 4 faults because guess what? He stopped at a mini filler with pigs on... In the 2 foot 3 he stopped 3 times at the water jump so I was eliminated. I will upload a few pics later!

[flash7]

Sorry to hear that he kept stopping but you got him over the first filler so well done. You could make a water tray filler at home to practice on as kylieavril suggested doing. They look nice fillers and easy to make.

[FirenLady]

thats pants. at least ya didn't fall off though! Well done for makin him do the first one. pigs are very scary.

[aimee]

I think that for now on the only thing you should be jumping him on at home now is fillers. Nothing else! one day is really not long enough to teach him they are not scary, you need to keep at it! He will soon get used to them!
Good luck

[abi]

keep at it!!
been there done that, too many eliminations to count and endless catleaps from standstill! but now we usully go straight over them, persevere.
make sure you're determind and secure- stand up in trot and walk to train your weight into your heels as an anchor when you school.

practice too, jump as many scary (but safe) fences as you can, as kylieavril said try making your own fillers, can you hire out local places and practice with theirs in your own time?

good luck x

[duckles]

I saw a tip, i think on this forum for making fillers by putting a bright cloth or towel over a pole- cheap and effective. Seriously, this will get better- just keep at it. You're doing great.