All about rabbit hopping and agility
Rabbit hopping part info taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit_show_jumping
Rabbit Hopping is a competition in which trained domestic rabbits leap over appropriately sized obstacles( jumps in a straight line). The activity began in the late 1970s in Sweden (where it is known as Kaninhoppning).
Some people compare rabbit hopping to equestrian show jumping. Trainers and devotees can win titles and awards during events .
The event depends on the type of rabbit, with separate competitions for small rabbits and larger rabbits. The rules are quite different in all countries except Sweden and Norway, therefore it's hard to organize an international competition.
The official world record in high jump for rabbits is 995 millimetres (39.17 in), by Tösen & Tine Hygom (Denmark). The official world record in long jump for rabbits is 3000 millimetres (118.11 in), by Yaboo & Maria Jensen (Denmark).
Breeds
All breeds are allowed to compete; however, there may be problems with smaller and larger breeds. (Rabbit size is usually determined by weight: small rabbits are considered under 2 kilo/4.4 lbs and giant over 5 kilos / 11 lbs) Small rabbits, such as the mini lops and Netherland dwarf sometimes have problems jumping over long obstacles due to their size. However, there are examples of small rabbits that still made it to the highest Scandinavian classes. Smaller rabbits can overcome weaknesses through style and will.
Larger rabbits such as the NZ, Flemish Giant and French Lop will put a lot of weight on their front legs in the landing while jumping high over higher obstacles, which may cause injury. Generally, long-haired Angora type breeds, are excluded from competing because of the difficulties their coats cause with heat,agility and vision. Neither English Lop should be entered as they risk injury to their overly long ears.
The ideal jumping rabbit has long legs and a lean longish back, which will help it see over longer obstacles and correctly judge the height or length in order to get over. In the case of the Belgian Hare, the legs should be strong and muscular so jumping high will not hurt them. In Scandinavia, where rabbit show jumping has a strong base, most are crossbreeds, bred with good jumpers as parents, similar to the method of breeding show dogs.
Rabbit Agility
Below was taken from www.rabbitagility.com where you can find out all about about rabbit agility. (I have permission from Marna Kazmaier to ad her link as an information source to my website)
WHAT IS RABBIT AGILITY?
Rabbit Agility is much like dog or cat agility only the equipment is made smaller for a rabbit and stable enough for the rabbit's weight while manipulating the pieces. Rabbits learn to run an agility course just as a dog and/or cat might.Animal agility (dog, cat, rat, rabbit or other) is a course of equipment in a ring that an animal will maneuver: over, under, around and through in a timed event/race. The animal that completes the course without upsetting equipment with the fastest time wins the event. Agility is fun and exciting for the animals, handlers and spectators.
Breeds
Rabbits from mini lop size up to rex size rabbits can do agility. still excluding the long haired angora type breeds, really long eard lop breeds and the giant breeds do to weight.
Rabbit agility and rabbit hopping seem to bevery simular. They are in fact different sports. Rabbit agility the Rabbit learns to manipulate many types of agility equipment like dog agility equipment. The rabbits learn to go over, under, around and through the different pieces. Rabbits are worked on or off leash depending on the individual events rules or if the course is fenced or not. Our club rules are that they must be on a lead.
In rabbit hopping all are jumps that are in a in a straight line . The course could have one to ten jumps set up for each rabbit to jump over. Rabbits in rabbit hopping are worked on lead.
I would suggest if you were going to try both sports you have two different rabbits.one for rabbit jumping and one for agility
How To Train
It is best to start with a youngster. The first thing you need to do is train your bunny to walk on a harness and leash. Rabbit harnesses can be purchased from Pet Shops for around $15.
Take your time, there is no rush. The most important thing is to make sure your rabbit doesn’t get a fright in the harness. Once its good at walking in the harness, then you can start to teach it to “hop”.
Foam pool noodles are great to start with. If bunny is a little reluctant, just give him a little tickle on the bottom. You must NEVER FORCE YOUR RABBIT OVER A JUMP. Not every rabbit will be a jumper.
And remember youngsters are young, so don’t over teach. Once or twice a week is plenty. Also not too high for babies.. Just 5 – 10 cm to start. Once they are 4 months old, they can be jumping around 25cm and can begin to compete.
Here is a link to the Danish Championships. Featuring Elite Straight, Elite Crooked, Elite High Jump and Elite Long Jump
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptyKSiRyQ4Y
credit to Aase and Rasmus Bjerner
www.kaninhop.dk/uk/
Tosen, World Record Holder Yaboo, World Record Holder High Jump Long Jump 99.5cm 3m
Rabbit Agility
The agility course starts at the bending poles and finishes at the platform. The course is time based. All competitors have 3 attempts. Complete refusal of an obstacle results in a 5 second time penalty.
Rabbit hopping part info taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit_show_jumping
Rabbit Hopping is a competition in which trained domestic rabbits leap over appropriately sized obstacles( jumps in a straight line). The activity began in the late 1970s in Sweden (where it is known as Kaninhoppning).
Some people compare rabbit hopping to equestrian show jumping. Trainers and devotees can win titles and awards during events .
The event depends on the type of rabbit, with separate competitions for small rabbits and larger rabbits. The rules are quite different in all countries except Sweden and Norway, therefore it's hard to organize an international competition.
The official world record in high jump for rabbits is 995 millimetres (39.17 in), by Tösen & Tine Hygom (Denmark). The official world record in long jump for rabbits is 3000 millimetres (118.11 in), by Yaboo & Maria Jensen (Denmark).
Breeds
All breeds are allowed to compete; however, there may be problems with smaller and larger breeds. (Rabbit size is usually determined by weight: small rabbits are considered under 2 kilo/4.4 lbs and giant over 5 kilos / 11 lbs) Small rabbits, such as the mini lops and Netherland dwarf sometimes have problems jumping over long obstacles due to their size. However, there are examples of small rabbits that still made it to the highest Scandinavian classes. Smaller rabbits can overcome weaknesses through style and will.
Larger rabbits such as the NZ, Flemish Giant and French Lop will put a lot of weight on their front legs in the landing while jumping high over higher obstacles, which may cause injury. Generally, long-haired Angora type breeds, are excluded from competing because of the difficulties their coats cause with heat,agility and vision. Neither English Lop should be entered as they risk injury to their overly long ears.
The ideal jumping rabbit has long legs and a lean longish back, which will help it see over longer obstacles and correctly judge the height or length in order to get over. In the case of the Belgian Hare, the legs should be strong and muscular so jumping high will not hurt them. In Scandinavia, where rabbit show jumping has a strong base, most are crossbreeds, bred with good jumpers as parents, similar to the method of breeding show dogs.
Rabbit Agility
Below was taken from www.rabbitagility.com where you can find out all about about rabbit agility. (I have permission from Marna Kazmaier to ad her link as an information source to my website)
WHAT IS RABBIT AGILITY?
Rabbit Agility is much like dog or cat agility only the equipment is made smaller for a rabbit and stable enough for the rabbit's weight while manipulating the pieces. Rabbits learn to run an agility course just as a dog and/or cat might.Animal agility (dog, cat, rat, rabbit or other) is a course of equipment in a ring that an animal will maneuver: over, under, around and through in a timed event/race. The animal that completes the course without upsetting equipment with the fastest time wins the event. Agility is fun and exciting for the animals, handlers and spectators.
Breeds
Rabbits from mini lop size up to rex size rabbits can do agility. still excluding the long haired angora type breeds, really long eard lop breeds and the giant breeds do to weight.
Rabbit agility and rabbit hopping seem to bevery simular. They are in fact different sports. Rabbit agility the Rabbit learns to manipulate many types of agility equipment like dog agility equipment. The rabbits learn to go over, under, around and through the different pieces. Rabbits are worked on or off leash depending on the individual events rules or if the course is fenced or not. Our club rules are that they must be on a lead.
In rabbit hopping all are jumps that are in a in a straight line . The course could have one to ten jumps set up for each rabbit to jump over. Rabbits in rabbit hopping are worked on lead.
I would suggest if you were going to try both sports you have two different rabbits.one for rabbit jumping and one for agility
How To Train
It is best to start with a youngster. The first thing you need to do is train your bunny to walk on a harness and leash. Rabbit harnesses can be purchased from Pet Shops for around $15.
Take your time, there is no rush. The most important thing is to make sure your rabbit doesn’t get a fright in the harness. Once its good at walking in the harness, then you can start to teach it to “hop”.
Foam pool noodles are great to start with. If bunny is a little reluctant, just give him a little tickle on the bottom. You must NEVER FORCE YOUR RABBIT OVER A JUMP. Not every rabbit will be a jumper.
And remember youngsters are young, so don’t over teach. Once or twice a week is plenty. Also not too high for babies.. Just 5 – 10 cm to start. Once they are 4 months old, they can be jumping around 25cm and can begin to compete.
Here is a link to the Danish Championships. Featuring Elite Straight, Elite Crooked, Elite High Jump and Elite Long Jump
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptyKSiRyQ4Y
credit to Aase and Rasmus Bjerner
www.kaninhop.dk/uk/
Tosen, World Record Holder Yaboo, World Record Holder High Jump Long Jump 99.5cm 3m
Rabbit Agility
The agility course starts at the bending poles and finishes at the platform. The course is time based. All competitors have 3 attempts. Complete refusal of an obstacle results in a 5 second time penalty.