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Jumping In and Out of Water

A water jump may seem daunting but it is actually simply made up of a sunken road filled with water. Before attempting the water fence, be sure you and your horse are both comfortable jumping up and down banks and riding through sunken roads that don’t have any water in them. All of these tips will boost your confidence and prepare you for the water.

Groundwork

Groundwork plays a big role in teaching your horse to maneuver new obstacles. Lunging allows him to find his footing and land with his front legs apart without the added weight and possible interference of a rider.

  • Send your horse into the water by pointing where you want him to go, clucking to him, then add pressure with your whip in a circular motion until you touch your horse with the whip or he moves toward the water. When he goes where you want him to stop cuing.
  • Send your horse into the water from both directions until he is comfortable at a walk, then ask him to cross at a trot and canter. Once he is used to being in the water, ask him to jump in and out of it or set up a jump in the water.

In the Water
When approaching the water stay calm and concentrate on keeping the correct speed and direction to the jump and/or the water. Stay at walk the first time you ride through the water. This keeps the horse calm and prevents excessive splashing which will make it easier for him to see. When he is comfortable at the walk practicing trotting and cantering through as well.

When you start jumping into water keep a steady but soft contact on your horse’s mouth. Be in your safety position with your shoulders back and your legs ahead of your body, while still allowing the reins to slip slightly through your fingers, giving your horse his head and neck to balance with.

  • Look ahead.
  • Keep your horse straight.
  • Keep steady rein contact as you steer though the water and over obstacles.
  • Let the reins slip when going into the water.
  • Open your knee and hip joints when going into the water from a bank.
  • Close your knee and hip joint when jumping in the water or jumping out of it.

Problem Solving

  • Keep your horse at a controlled trot when first asking him to jump into and out of the water.
  • Maintain a straight, slow, and collected approach.
  • Some horses may leap into the water so be prepared.
  • After you land in the water allow your horse to walk and relax.
  • Practice riding down into the water and up out of it multiple times.
  • If you have a jump that is inside the water, jump it from a trot at first, as your horse gets more comfortable with the splashing you can start jumping out of the canter.
  • The trick is to treat the water like it isn’t even there.