Jumping question

Question
Hi Dorothy,
So, I have run into a problem with one of my horses that I've never quite had before.  I recently bought a colt and broke him in about 4 months ago.  He was a really easy guy to handle.  Never has bucked or done anything nasty which is why he has been so easy to train and break in.  I believe he is a Tennessee Walker/ Quarter horse cross but is not gaited, but still has those smooth Walker type gates.  I recently introduced him to pole and cavaletti work.  He does well with knowing where to place his feet and picking up his legs, however, over small 'X's he JUST TROTS.  Even when I raise the jump to about 2' he still has the flexability to ONLY trot the jump, or just simply plows through the top rail.  I have free lunged him over 3'ers, and he will jump no problem with that height in front of him.  At a canter he can take small 'X's obviously since he's already in stride.  I have also ridden with a crop and give him a small tap on the shoulder 1 stride out and that seems to work, but I don't want to rely on using a crop EVERY time I want to do jump work with him.  So with that being said, are there any ways to teach him to pick up his feet over jumps instead of just letting him trot?  On his flat work, he isn't lazy in his strides.  He has the energy TO pick himself up, but just doesn't.  It it possible that the Tennessee cross in him has something to do with it.  I really do not believe, it is a riding fault of mine as to why he won't jump.  He is in good health and has never had any feet problems.  I have introduced a dozen horses to jumping after breaking them in and have never had this problem or really any problems!  I can see that he'd make a really nice hunter jumper.... we just need to get him to pick up his feet instead of trotting every jump in competitions!  Any advice would help!  What do you think?

Answer
Hello Emily,

I really would like to know how young the colt is. Then I would say that trotting is just what he should be doing for at least a year.  I have all my jumpers trot up to 3' with spreads before asking for the canter.  By that time they are used to cantering the flat work circle and have had basic dressage and are able to use their hind ends better.  I would do bounces at a trot (8'-9') width and then work up to two or three caveletti about 15' apart.  He needs much work on the hind end so that he can carry himself at the canter.  When he jumps a rather large trot fence and lands in a canter (he will when he is ready) then keep the canter and aim him at a small fence.  Encourage him to canter over it, but if he breaks to the trot, that's OK.  I think the issue here is not one of breed but of age, experience and development.  If you can keep him at a trot for a while that is good.  Don't rush him to the canter just to get him in a competition.  No matter what age he is, he is a green jumper and green jumpers do better if we "make haste slowly".  

To make him pick up his feet, make sure that the jump poles are heavy, and I mean heavy.  I would use oak or heavy spruce.  The trouble with most of the jump poles is that they are so light that one little knock and they are off the cup.  If it is heavy and he raps it, it will sting his hoofs and that should be enough to make him pick up his feet next time.  Those new PVC poles are no good because of this reason.  On the approach rattle the bit in his mouth to get his attention (gently of course) and use your voice to encourage him instead of the crop.  Each and every time he does well praise him and if he plows through, scold him.  Learn to growl and use your voice in place of a crop or a carrot or sugar.
On your flat work, do many transitions from trot to canter and back to trot, to canter.  This will do wonders to tone up the hind end and get it further under him.

Happy riding,
Dorothy