by L Hurley

Created on: November 21, 2010

To achieve the best results when jumping both you and your horse need to be comfortable. That means having the right gear and equipment. When starting out you won’t need to go out and buy a jumping saddle as long as your usual saddle is suitable but there are some additional items you may require.

It is important that you are comfortable and have the freedom of movement needed to move with your horse as he jumps. Wear flexible, well fitting riding clothes. Your top needs to allow your shoulders and arms to move freely. Make sure the material will stretch across your shoulder blades or it has some extra room if it’s not made of flexible fabric.

Riding boots with a one inch heel and smooth sole are important for your safety. The heel will prevent your foot from passing through the stirrup iron and the smooth sole will prevent your foot getting caught in the stirrup should you fall.  You need flexibility in your ankle joints so avoid boots that lace tightly around the ankle.

A safety standard approved helmet is also a must. Body protectors are used by many riders. If you decide to wear a body protector choose one that is lightweight and doesn’t restrict your movement. You may also want to carry a short riding crop as an extra encouragement if your horse hesitates.

You can jump in almost any saddle however some are more suitable than others. A western saddle with a horn will interfere with your jumping position and the kneepads on a stock saddle will prevent you from achieving the two point position.

The higher cantle of a deep seated dressage saddle will give you a solid whack each time youyou’re your landing position slightly wrong. The straight cut flaps may also see your knees moving past the forward edge as you jump. An all purpose saddle is suitable for most riders who jump occasionally for fun.

If you want to compete it is worth investing in a jumping saddle. Jumping saddles are designed with a relatively flat seat and barely any cantle. They have forward cut flaps to accommodate the upper leg movement of the rider whilst jumping.

The stirrup leathers you use are very important. They need to be strong, in good condition, not too thick and not too long. The pressure and stress applied to leathers while jumping is much greater than any type of flat riding.

Thick leathers cause bulk under the saddle flap that is annoying and interferes with your forward movement. Leathers that are too long will see the excess flapping around as you jump.

Many horses get excited at the prospect of jumping. A running martingale will provide more control in these situations. It also provides a handy neck strap for you to grab if you get into difficulty. When starting out if you don’t need a martingale it’s still a good idea to use a neck strap.

Front boots are important to protect your horse from knocks and to prevent injury from overreaching with their hind hooves when landing. Hind brushing boots are used by some riders to protect the hind legs from knocks against jump poles and each other.

Jumping can be fun and provide an interesting break from routine for your horse. Having the right equipment for both yourself and your horse is essential to enjoying your jumping experience safely.

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