Advice please - SJ mare

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Supanova

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Right apologies in advance for this long post but just looking for some advice from you knowledgeable people and wanted to give as much background as possible. I bought my 6 year old Belgian Warmblood mare back in May last year to SJ and all in all things have been going well. Jumping wise she has been fab and come on loads. Can be a bit spooky at a new place but has never stopped or been naughty. Biggest issue I have had with her is hacking. She naps very badly - spins and rears and this is with or without company so I have stopped doing it.

Anyway early January she went lame, we think she got cast in the stable and pulled her stifle, although also had physio out and she said her back was very sore on right hand side. Anyway after two weeks box rest she was given all clear by the vet and I brought her back into full work. First time I went out SJ (2 weeks ago) she jumped really well, probably two of the best rounds we have done. A week later I went out again and whilst she jumped ok she had absolutely no energy and i had to work really hard. (I had actually lunged her for 15 mins before I took her to comp as my trainer was worried about her being lively. I had never done this before so I put it down to the lungeing). I have been out to a comp today and she warmed up really well and had loads more energy so was feeling ok about things. I went into the ring (which is spooky) and she started napping like she does on the road and nearly had me off twice. Eventually manged to get her going forward but ended up getting eliminated because we weren't really going forward enough so couldn't find any strides and had to circle away from one fence!! So decided to put on some longer spurs and enter the Discovery. Cantered her forcefully into the ring and she jumped round much better and just had one fence down because I flapped at her a bit.

I am just a bit worried becaue the behaviour in the first class was out of character. She has never done this before in the ring although obviously has it in her because she does it on hacks. When I am riding her at home she is also doing quite a bit of spooking, bucking and racing off but its usually when a car goes past on the road (arena close to road). Do you think that this behaviour could be a sign of a physical problem? I wouldn't worry but today's behaviour and last week's lack of energy has got me thinking a bit. She seems fine in herself. Had her back checked this week again and she was fine. Teeth were last done in December. Any views gratefully received.
 
It sounds like she's just trying it on a bit. Its good that you jumped her again and she went well. If you don't feel there's anything wrong with her then there probably isn't but you could always get her blood tested just to be sure. I would be a bit carefull about what she gets away with when you ride her at home, she might need a really good session where you let her know you're in charge and you're not going to take any crap from her. My horse is very spooky in one corner of the school at home but if he's allowed to get away with messing about too much there he'll start to try it on at shows too.
 
Thanks Elle. I think you are probably right that she is taking the mick but its hard not to worry particularly given all the physical problems you read about on here! What do you do when your horse spooks? Sounds like a stupid question but the trouble is I am really trying to keep her between hand and leg so she can't do it but sometimes she just manages to get the better of me and rushes forward and has a bit of a buck. I then try to make her work harder so she knows its not allowed but it doesn't seem to stop her doing it. Do you give your horse a smack when he does it?
 
If I was you I would get her blood tested, she might have some kind of virus. My grade A started napping and stopping last yr and after having him blood tested we found out he had a virus. Vet advised me to give him 6 weeks off work, and put him on Vi-Sorbin. He returned to his normal self after the time off.

I also tend to find with youngsters you are best to give them some time off regually. It seems to stops them going sour. Problem with show jumping is that you jump all summer then go straight into jumping indoors in the winter, then before you know it they never get a holiday. Mine always noramally get a good month to 2 months off over xmas.
 
I find it really hard too and was having real trouble the other day but my trainer came and helped me and made me just keep circling at the "scary" end of the school and keep a strong hold of his head whilst pushing him out with my inside leg. Keep the leg on constantly and then you can feel when you need it to push out more. Getting inside flexion helps too I think the best thing to do is ignore the spooking and keep doing what you want to do. If she just rushes forward a bit try not to tense up or react to it but if she's actually running off then pull her up sharp rein back, pat her and move on again. There is another trick i've been taught where you basically get hold of the inside rein and spin them round till they calm down but if your horse rears it might be a bit dodgy. I've had my horse 3 years and had some major fallings out with him about his spooking but i've found if i get annoyed with him he does it even more. It's really hard but you just have to be really disciplined yourself with these continental horses and make sure they're always kept under the thumb
 
Thanks horsemad. I think I will do that at least then I will have peace of mind.

Elle - thanks for the tips. I will definitely try to think more about inside leg and flexion when we are at the spooky end of the school! I know what you mean about the more annoyed you get the worse it is!
 
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