Free jumping, the practice of allowing a horse to navigate a jumping chute without a rider, has long been used to assess young horses, build confidence, and refine technique. However, it remains a topic of debate. While many see it as an invaluable training tool, others caution against overuse, particularly in young horses.

Professional showjumper Rainer Körber is a strong advocate for free jumping, using it to develop young horses, refine technique and build confidence in older ones. Here, he shares his perspective on why free jumping matters, when and how to introduce it, and the risks of getting it wrong.

Why Free Jumping?

For Körber, free jumping is more than just a test of ability—it’s a foundational training tool that sets horses up for success.

“Free jumping with a young horse, specifically, is very important because they get taught manners from the ground straight away,” he explains. “It teaches them a structure and a routine. For a young horse, it teaches them where to take off, where to land, and straightness. More specifically, it teaches them correct technique from the start and can give them a lot of confidence.”

He also highlights its role in building confidence and technique in older horses: 

“For an older horse, I often do it when they are lacking a little bit of confidence. If you make the distances suitable or train them in something they struggle with, it can really help. If a horse needs to get a little bit neater in front, free jumping is quite an easy way to train that. It’s harder to improve the technique of the back end this way, but for front-end technique and confidence, it’s very useful.”

The Physical and Mental Benefits

When done correctly, free jumping benefits horses in ways beyond jumping skill alone. Körber sees physical and mental development as key reasons to use the technique. Physically, it allows a horse to develop proper jumping muscles and balance without a rider’s influence.

“They are not being interfered with by a rider sitting on top, maybe doing the wrong thing. Even if the rider is doing the right thing, it’s hard to get it perfect with a young horse all the time. So for jumping muscles to develop correctly, free jumping is quite important.”

Mentally, he finds that horses enjoy free jumping when it’s done well.

“If you do it correctly and professionally, it’s a nice way to start them, and they learn to enjoy it. Instead of just getting on them when they don’t really know what they’re doing, free jumping gives them something to look forward to. You often see them playing, even squealing when they finish a line. I think mentally, it makes it fun for them, and they actually learn to enjoy jumping even more.”

When to Start?

A common question among trainers and breeders is when to introduce free jumping. Körber follows a progressive approach, ensuring that young horses are gradually introduced to the concept:

• At three years old, he starts by introducing them to poles on the ground and getting them comfortable with the free jumping experience.
• From three and a half, training can become a little more structured, with small jumps.
• By four years old, he believes a horse can be introduced to larger fences, sometimes up to 1.10m – 1.20m, but only if they are mentally and physically ready.

“At three years old, they just need to get the idea. We often start with a placing pole on the ground, then one stride to another pole, and another stride to another pole. Later, that turns into a cross-pole, a vertical, and eventually an oxer.”

Recognising when a horse is ready is key, and Körber takes an interactive approach to assess their progress. Rather than simply observing from the sidelines, he works alongside the horse in the chute, building a personal connection like he would in the saddle. Early on, he provides guidance, helping the horse navigate the exercise with confidence. As they progress, they begin moving through the chute independently, without the need for encouragement – an indication that they are ready for the next stage of their training.

The Risks of Free Jumping Done Wrong

While Körber strongly advocates free jumping, he is equally clear on the dangers of poor technique or overuse.

“I see a lot of people doing it incorrectly and trying to get too smart about it. If you don’t quite know, just keep it simple and not pressurised. Leave the fancy stuff to the professionals who know what they’re doing.”

One of the biggest mistakes he sees is rushing horses through free jumping without proper training, which can lead to poor technique and confidence issues. He warns that good horses can lose their natural scope and technique when rushed and forced through free jumping. This creates problems from the start, and unless a professional steps in to correct it, the horse may never reach its true potential.

Avoiding Overinflated Free Jumping Showcases

A controversial aspect of free jumping is its use as a gimmick or a sales tool. While free jumping videos can help showcase a horse’s ability, Körber warns against artificially inflating a horse’s perceived potential.

“As a breeder, if you get people to come and train your horse – whether you’re putting it on the market or just training in general – it’s very important to keep an eye on them and ensure everything stays above board. You see a lot of horses jumping the moon and people doing it the wrong way, trying to enhance the horse’s performance. But it just scares the horse more than anything else, and many of them don’t recover.”

Instead, he believes we should be looking for a horse that jumps in a relaxed, easy way with a good technique rather than something exaggerated or inflated.

Free Jumping for Older Horses: More Than Just a Young Horse Exercise

While free jumping is typically associated with young horses, Körber believes it has a valuable role in training older horses as well.

“A lot of people think free jumping is only for young horses, which it is 90% of the time. But you can fix many problems in older horses with it, such as technique, combination training, and even confidence training.”

He has personally used free jumping to help horses overcome specific fears, such as water trays. And he finds that older horses often learn to enjoy the exercise. While he says they sometimes come in a little wary, by the third or fourth time they’re having a ball. It is also a super outing for them.

Should More People Use Free Jumping?

Asked whether more trainers and breeders should embrace free jumping, Körber’s answer is a resounding yes – as long as it’s done correctly.

“It’s such a good way for horses to start without weight on their backs. I think they learn to love it and understand jumping better. It makes for a better horse at the end of the day.”

However, he cautions that free jumping should be used as a training tool, not a shortcut or a marketing trick. Done right, it can set a horse up for success, improve technique, and boost confidence. Done wrong, it can lead to long-term problems that are difficult to fix.

For Körber, the key is balance – a responsible, patient approach prioritising the horse’s well-being above all else.