jumping!

Question
Hey Becca! i have a 5 year old, 16.3hh Dun Thoroughbred gelding. The woman who previously owned him, used to jump him. I have recently started to jump, and if its under 2.6 feet high, he slows down in front of the jump, and puts his head way down right before jumping. So i tried raising them and it works, but i want to compete in the NOQQHA horse shows, and theyre hunter classes are only 2 feet high, and sadly, my horse Dillon does his wierd head thing!
Can u please help me?
Thanx!

Answer
Jamme,
My horse used to do the same thing. It is a confidence issue that goes away with time. When some horses are nervous at a jump they will put their head down to lok at it, when you raise the jump they longer have to look down to see it.

In the meantime ride with lots of leg, to give him confidence, half halt ever two strides of so to ask him to engage his hind end and keep his head in the right place.

any more questions just ask.