How does a horse jump? The 5 phases of the show jumping

A good rider not only rides a horse, but also understands how it works and how it moves. Understanding how a horse jumps can improve performance, prevent injury, and help solve problems when things are not going well. However, if you want to be a good rider, you need a strong horse jumps. Here you can get horse jumps for sale.

Phase 1: approach

Once we are clear about the course and we focus on the obstacle, the horse sees the jump, assesses the effort it will take to face it and adjusts the direction, pace or speed, balance, momentum and stride length to reach the whip at the exact point. With a balanced and rhythmic gallop, he will adjust each stride to place his rear under his body and be able to jump. Due to the way the horse's eyes are focused and the characteristics of his vision, he will need to raise or lower his head to adjust the focus to the jump.

Phase 2: whipped or take off

The last stride before the beat is usually short, balanced in the hands and with the subsequent ones aligned under your body, flexing the back at the lumbosacral joint. Here, the horse sits in its hindquarters with the hocks bent, while the hands push against the ground also using the shoulders (especially the triceps). It is the hind legs that push against the ground, sending the weight of the animal up and forward. The moment the horse leaves the ground, its neck extends forward and its shoulders rotate, lifting the front legs, which bend sharply to avoid hitting the obstacle. Finally, the feet extend backwards when it leaves the ground.

Phase 3: parabola, flight or scale

It is at this point that the horse climbs up and forward and forms a parabola or bow over the obstacle. Its neck extends forward and downward, while its shoulders rotate, lifting and bending its front legs to the maximum as they pass through the highest point of the obstacle. This movement of the head and neck forces the neck and back to extend, helping to form the body's scale. As it progresses, the hindquarters rise and the hind legs begin to bend.

When the hindquarters pass over the highest point of the jump, the feet begin to flex. The hocks are well flexed, raised behind the hindquarters. As the hands descend to the ground, the horse's back flattens, the lumbosacral joint closes, and the neck rises, while the hands unfold and stretch toward the point of reception.

Phase 4: reception or landing

The horse lands first on one extended front leg, followed quickly by the second. The body rotates forward on both front legs, which are then picked up and folded back underneath the body, creating a brief moment of suspension before the first rear leg hits the ground. When the feet are well anchored under the horse's body, the hands are bent and extended again to regain proper galloping sequence.

Phase 5: exit or recovery

The horse regains its normal canter balance, advances and resumes cantering. The first step after reception often resembles a small jump. When a horse jumps with a majestic step and lands gently on a good balance, his recovery is quick, natural and effortless, and he can move forward easily. A rider who remains in balance and does not interfere with the horse's efforts will also make it easier.