Big Dressage Dilemma

Kokopelli

Kokopelli

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I'm having issues with my lad dressage wise, basically when we compete as soon as he gets in the test arena he gets so tense and our test is pants despite a lovely warm up.

Basically he is very sensitive and looks at everything, he's quite spooky and can get very tense easily (13 going on 2 :rolleyes: ) It takes about 20mins for him to chill out in the warm up and then a further 20 for him to start working not like a giraffe. After about 40mins he goes lovely and should be getting percentages in the late 60s/ early 70s.

But as soon as we get in the arena to do the test he gets tense again and we struggle to get over a high 50 which is so frustrating because I know he can do so much better.

So far I have tried warming up until he is very tired but it doesn't work as he still has energy to freak out in test arena. I have tried being totally relaxed in the arena (as said by RI) and he's still tense. I make the most of trying to settle him for as long as possible before I have to go in but it still doesn't work. We're competing at Novice because he switches off in Prelim.

Any suggestions are much appreciated. :)
 
Koko, you could try warming up as normal, but then take him back for half hour chill, then bring him out 15 mins before the test. Works with my George!
 
Stick to the jumping as that's what he seems to be good at!

Your little chap is very similar to my big tense mare. I have yet to be brave enough to take her out to a dressage competiton. I have a really good instructor who also has alot of competition experience under her belt and once we have my horse working consistently, she is going to take her to a low key competition to try and give her a positive experience. This may not be the ideal scenario in your case and all I can really suggest is to take him to dressage competition, do not enter the competition but ride him in the warm up arena or around the facilities untill he learns to settle and find it all pretty boring. It is very time consuming but may help him learn to relax without putting him ( or you ) under any pressure.
 
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What about doing one of the ride a test days where you get time after your test to work on it with an instructor/judge. Have you tried any of the calmer shots might just e enough to help him settle.
 
What about doing prelim & novice if they are running in the same arena? If you could be one of the later times for the prelim then you could treat it as a warm up so he's chilled in the arena for his novice? Or stick to the same venue for a while till the test arena becomes familiar?
 
I could have written the OP! My mare is exactly the same. I'm trying to go out somewhere at least every week either hiring an arena or doing 2 tests. She is getting much more relaxed. I've also got a " it doesn't matter what happens" attitude at the mo and not taking it too seriously. It is working !
 
I always have the 'it doesn't matter what happens' attitude its definitely needed on him :L

I really want to push on with the dressage as it will improve his jumping, he's good at it (when he wants to be) and he's enjoying it now he gets to do more exciting stuff. Will try just taking him for the warm up and see how he goes. I might go around hiring loads of arenas getting him to lots of different places without pressure.

Have also tried doing two tests, he's more wound up the second time in. Its consistent with his SJ, he gets more excited the second time in.

Not sure if they have the ride a test days around us but I'm definitely going to keep an eye out as it sounds perfect for him.
 
Can't do dressage at home, didn't you know the monsters live in the arena? :L

Stuff it I'll stick to show jumping, at least we don't make huge fools of ourselves at that :p
 
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