Horses are not born jumpers. Although a horse in the wild can jump a log to get to a certain destination, a horse in domestication needs to be taught to jump. Teaching young horses to jump can be tricky; their first jump will leave a lasting impression. In an ideal world, horses should jump every obstacle we present to them willingly. In reality, horses develop all kinds of problems and try to avoid jumping as best as they can. Not all horses do that, of course. Some horses are naturally talented and those of us who own such horses are blessed. As for the rest of us who really enjoy jumping and want to get the best out of their horses, how do we deal with all the problems associated with jumping?

The problems described below are general and common in the horse world. Every trainer will probably have his own technique to solving a problem, and every horse is an individual who may or may not respond to a particular technique. Therefore, the solutions suggested are general and apply to all horses. Most importantly, do not make the mistake of falling into the never ending spiral of tension. Stay calm and maintain a neutral but positive state of mind. Never loose your temper.