How To Tell If Your Horse Will Be A Good Jumper

[Horse Crazy 2007]

Can you tell how high your horse can jump by how high they buck?

Beau was bucking like none other today when i let him out in the round pen for a little exercise and he was bucking like nonother, and he got his back legs up really really high (and in good jumping form if i might add) anyway can you tell at all how high your young horse might be able to jump by how high they buck????????

kk

[cursivenight]

If that's true Ringo can jump to the moon......

I highly doubt bucking decides how high a horse, or well a horse can jump. Bucking does, however, take athleticism, in some form or another (or so I read).

[crazy4horses]

I don't think so. I guess it just depends on the breed of horse and the size and weight. What breed? You can't really say "This horse is 16.1 and can jump 5 ft." Becuase every horse is diffrent and you won't really know the exact amount of inches/feet your horse can jump. If I were you I would experiment with lungeing your horse over jumps that you think he can jump with a lot of confindense. That's my advice. :)

[StarGirl]

Bucking has nothing to do with jumping.

Training and research would be a good start. But if the horse is young, they shouldn't be jumped until their knees have closed, otherwise they will have a list of physical problems a mile long later...

[Haley]

No....

Bucking, is, well, the opposite. Wrong end.

[ForeverEquine]

No....

Bucking, is, well, the opposite. Wrong end.

Haha, very true.

I really don't think that would be a good way to examine your horses athleticism for jumping. Gam has a powerful buck but I seriously think that he would do best at small hunter courses, nothing over 2'6" to 3' or so.

To know the horses true potential you'll have to just work them to the point they seem to be at their peak.

Height doesn't necessarily show the results either. I've seen horses, like Teddy O'Connor *even Gam is taller than him XD*, who can compete with the big boys on XCountry. http://youtube.com/watch?v=l1eiBcINTF4 And then some huge horses that can barely jump a 2 foot tall log.

[Half&Half]

Bucking is a natural thing for a horse, jumping is not. So, even if they have a strong buck, that does not mean they're set up for grand prix :D A good way to tell would be to lounge him over small fences and poles and see if he likes it. As FE said, Teddy O'Connor was a pony and he does top level XC courses, yet there are much larger horses who dont make good jumpers. So, height really doesnt matter.

[crazy4horses]

Bucking is a natural thing for a horse, jumping is not. So, even if they have a strong buck, that does not mean they're set up for grand prix :D A good way to tell would be to lounge him over small fences and poles and see if he likes it. As FE said, Teddy O'Connor was a pony and he does top level XC courses, yet there are much larger horses who dont make good jumpers. So, height really doesnt matter.

I agree height dosen't matter!! For instance, my little Arabian is 14.2 and she can easily jump 2'6!!

[silverleprichuan]

Height, bucking ability, length of back, etc are usually poor indicators as to the jumping ability of a horse.

I've seen horses with incredible jumping lines and flawless conformation who really have no desire to jump or lack the courage for higher fences, while on the other hand I've seen horses who are built upside down but can jump the moon.

Although bucking can be fun to watch (and even more fun to photograph) in the future you might want to avoid letting him buck in the round pen. In such an enclosed space it's easy for a horse to get going to fast and lose his balance or accidentally catch the side of the pen with a large buck.

Roundpens are a great way to join up with a horse and work on a variety of issues but if you want to burn energy then turnout in a large field is much safer and effective.

[DixieGirl]

Horses are used to jumping things in the wild. But they have to learn to be blaenced with a rider on their back. I think you should ask a trainer or an expericanced jumper.

[Full of Flight]

My retired horse could jump 2' and he is a 15.2 QH. My other horse is a 16.1 Tennessee Walker and he can jump 4'- 4'6''

[jump_in_Niilta]

wow ppl are really attacking you kim, EEK.