Trainer: David O'Brien
Length: 07:21 Minutes
David O’Brien, head young horse trainer at Spy Coast Farm, explains how he uses a jump chute as a building block in a young horse’s development and training. O’Brien talks about why he believes a jump chute is such a valuable tool to see how a horse performs naturally over fences, without any influence from a rider. He also discusses how the exercise can help trainers evaluate a horse’s talent, technique, and attitude for jumping, as well as provide valuable insight for how the horse could best be ridden under saddle. Emphasizing that a jump chute isn’t just about the height of the jump but more about a horse’s willingness, technique, and mental approach to the work, O’Brien discusses how he introduces a young horse to the chute, starting with poles on the ground and progressing to a series of jumps; demonstrates how to set the jumping grid with two or three fences; and explains why he recommends using multiple handlers to guide the horse through the chute safely and successfully.
Key Principles:
Why Use a Jump Chute? Set-Up Using the Jump Chute What to Look for