The loose jumping debate

Is loose jumping detrimental to young horses, or does it give them the chance to learn for themselves without rider interference?

- Penny Richardson

IT’S a bit like Marmite, but – love it or hate it – loose jumping is an important part of the production process for many owners, breeders and riders.

So what exactly is loose jumping? Essentially, it’s sending a horse down a lane – enclosed or open – to jump a single fence or grid without tack or a rider. It’s used worldwide for studbook gradings and to assess horses’ potential, teach them to think for themselves when jumping and, best of all, give them some fun.

“I think it’s great to loose jump horses, but with common sense,” says breeder and producer Shirley Light, who owns Brendon Stud in West Sussex. “My yearlings get jumped in our indoor school after their first winter in the barn. It gets rid of some of their pent-up energy and stops them going crazy and slipping over when they’re first turned out.

“I also like them to have some idea of how to jump in case they decide to make a bid for freedom when they’re in the field. I don’t want them to escape, but I’d much rather they know how to jump fencing than get caught up in it.

“We loose jump two or three yearlings at a time over a maximum height of 40cm and use hollow plastic poles to reduce the risk of injury. My two- and three-year-olds are also loose schooled a couple of times a year over a double. I can then gauge attitude, step and to a certain extent talent, but again, they don’t jump big fences.”

Shirley saves the slightly more serious stuff for the following year.