Rabbit Jumping Harness?

[The_Dutchess]

This is our 4-H group's first year doing rabbit jumping and I will be jumping with my 8 pound Silver Fox doe, Little Bit, but I need a harness. An H-style harness is required, and so I found one on Amazon. Does this look okay for a rabbit to you? http://www.amazon.com/Lupine-Red-12-20- ... TYHFGXV0HQ

 

[Nyctra]

It could work, but I think vest style might be better for rabbits because it distributes pressure better?
Now I'm tempted to try sticking my cat harness on a bun... LOL I've been wanting to try jumping too. So far, I haven't even got a place to train them to jump. ;;

 

[The_Dutchess]

I like the vest style better too but those aren't good for jumping I jave been told for three reasons: most are a bit bulky and so too restricting when the rabbit jumps, the Velcro can catch on you hair or clothing and that's not good when at a show, and also they love to chew and scratch it to bits. I don't know... Of anyone has anything else to add let me know.

 

[alforddm]

Rabbit jumping? Tell me more please!

 

[The_Dutchess]

https://sites.google.com/site/americanh ... ation/home
There you go. It's becoming more and more popular in the U.S. and people of all ages can do it. I'd say the hardest part is getting the rabbit used to the harness and then getting them over the jump, but once they start getting the hang of it it's easier.

 

[fhjmom]

I don't know how I missed this post before now, so you may have already ordered, but yes, the harness linked in your OP is the style you want to use for hopping. Anything that has a belly strap or any type of connection under the chest will not allow the rabbit to extend fully as they stretch to go over the jumps. No vests or dog harnesses are allowed on competition courses usually, and you don't want to train with those because the rabbit will learn that the harness means "restriction of movement" and that is the opposite of what you want the rabbit to learn when they are starting to hop.

My girls hopped in the beginners class at Convention and had a blast and placed! We have several demo events coming up here and hope to get some competitions going soon as well. Keep in touch!

 

[Susie570]

I've been really interested in this sport for a while, but haven't seen any info on how to train for it!

 

[Becky]

I've been really interested in this sport for a while, but haven't seen any info on how to train for it!

I've been doing this with 4H for a bit, and for training you basically nudge them through the course with your foot From what I've heard, it's more getting a rabbit that does well at agility than it is about training them really well.

 

[Susie570]

Cool! I guess there must be some training involved though, rabbits won't just keep over anything they come to. I'm trying to get our buck used to walking on a leash now. He is not pleased, but I'm sure he will catch on soon.

 

[akane]

You start out directing them with your feet and they learn to stay on the course. Now whether they go over the jump or not.... I posted this vid awhile backhttps://www.facebook.com/video.php? ... 8525178306

 

[fhjmom]

I've been really interested in this sport for a while, but haven't seen any info on how to train for it!

I've been doing this with 4H for a bit, and for training you basically nudge them through the course with your foot From what I've heard, it's more getting a rabbit that does well at agility than it is about training them really well.

I am sorry to disagree, Becky, but you should never touch the rabbit with your feet. This is typically a disqualification and not really very safe for you or the rabbit. It is better to lean over and tap them on the bottom with your hand, or lift them over the hurdle to show them what you want them to do. You can cue with your feet the rabbit by stepping near them to show them which way you want them to go, or not go by blocking their path, but actually touching them with feet is a huge no no. Also, agility and hopping are two separate events. Hoping involves just hurdles whereas agility has other types of obstacles as well.

 

[akane]

The hopping club here said to use your feet when we were asking how they were trained. They didn't seem interested in getting out a rabbit to show us though.

 

[Susie570]

I did read the section from the website called 'ground work'. It explains everything

As Becky and akane said, you don't actually touch the rabbit with your feet and in fact, there is some training involved, but it's along the lines of teaching the rabbit to move away from you on the leash with confidence instead of fearfully. They also learn voice commands and respond to 'left', 'right', 'jump' and 'freeze' or halt or stop. The guiding with your foot thing sounds more like herding than anything and it uses the rabbit's side vision so they see which foot you are stepping forward with and move away from it. They recommend wearing white sneakers to make it easier for the rabbit to see and take cues from your feet. Sounds fun. I'd love to do hopping and agility.

 

[Becky]

I've been really interested in this sport for a while, but haven't seen any info on how to train for it!

I've been doing this with 4H for a bit, and for training you basically nudge them through the course with your foot From what I've heard, it's more getting a rabbit that does well at agility than it is about training them really well.

I am sorry to disagree, Becky, but you should never touch the rabbit with your feet. This is typically a disqualification and not really very safe for you or the rabbit. It is better to lean over and tap them on the bottom with your hand, or lift them over the hurdle to show them what you want them to do. You can cue with your feet the rabbit by stepping near them to show them which way you want them to go, or not go by blocking their path, but actually touching them with feet is a huge no no. Also, agility and hopping are two separate events. Hoping involves just hurdles whereas agility has other types of obstacles as well.

Why is it dangerous to nudge the rabbit with your foot? I can understand not doing it in shows if it's not allowed, but in training I don't see why it would be a problem. I guess if you were somehow accidentally stepping on their tail a lot?