What's the best way to teach a hot (high strung)horse to walk over obstacles as oppose to jumping them? If you dismount he will walk over, but undersaddle he wants to jump. Thanks for your advice.

goldpony
as you approach the obstacle keep your life down like you want to just walk over it. when you feel your horse bunch up just bend him a little, when he relaxes let him go. keep this up until he stays relaxed going over the obstacle. if you are not still in a snaffle or hackamore you might want to put him back in one.
liam

This below may not be the best way, but it is one way.

Cross from a different angle. Try a few, and see which one works.
Then work the crossing angle up until you find that junping spot.
Hopefully by then you want be able to find it anymore.
He should Walk across where he use to jump.
Needs a different veiw. Works on my horses well.

[ February 08, 2006, 12:26 PM: Message edited by: trisranch ]

Hi! Thanks for your advice. It is not my horse, but yes he is in a snaffle. He is a young high strung Thoroughbred that has had some jumping experience. He wouldn't go over the metal gate (one foot in height at the lowest point, shaped like a hugh "U") at the trail entrance with his owner. I got on him and took him over the gate a few times in both directions. He did well with the front end, but crow-hopped with his back end. The owner rides with a shorter rein than I do, and I think this might be adding to the problem.