Ebook: Jumping From A To Z

Anyone who participates in any activity which involves jumping should read/own this book! Whether it be Working Trials, Ring Sports, IGP, Agility, Flyball or Gundog Scurries, this publication has something to offer everyone. Chris emphasises throughout that jumping should be fun for the dog; it is not all about qualifying/winning but the welfare of the dog, both in the short/ long term and thus its longevity in/out of sport. Much of the content will not be news to those from a background of show jumping with horses although the author is at pains to identify the differences between the species. As you would expect from a sports medicine consultant, canine structure is discussed firstly followed by the mechanics of jumping supported by numerous photographs and line drawings. It is here that the potential effects of a sit v a stand before a jump are first introduced. This is followed by “The Complete Jump Training Programme” divided into 3 levels of progression incorporating foundation, skills, and power exercises. These cover ground poles, angles, height, accuracy, brakes, control, trajectories, speed, stride length etc all of which are investigated in detail. Puppies are not forgotten nor the necessity for conditioning the canine athlete. Jumping for Obedience is of most import (in the UK) to those who work their dogs in Working Trials, IGP and scurries where the dog is required to return after a jump, often carrying an object. (NB the Working Trial Scale is not covered). Agility and Flyball have their own chapters and the book ends with an in depth look at problem solving. If more people took the trouble to thoroughly train their dog to jump properly success would be optimised.