Building confidence

[Rachael42]

Hi,
Looking for some ideas on how to build my confidence when jumping? Occasionally my horse dirty stops at the jump(he has had everything checked e.g back, saddle, teeth etc I put it down to my confidence putting doubt in his head) I had a bad fall from a refusal where I shattered my arm in several places so got a bit of a fright. How have people stopped the horse refusing or have over come this confidence barrier? He does plenty pole work weekly all different exercises and has no issue with that. Thanks in advance

 

[Wishfilly]

This is just my opinion but I think it is hard to build confidence when you don't fully trust the horse.

If you can afford it, I'd consider some schoolmaster lessons for you, and possibly getting your instructor or a pro to jump your horse. That way you can rebuild your confidence without worrying about him, and you can see if it is you who is causing the stops in some way, or if he does it with someone else too.

Is there any pattern to when he stops?

 

[LEC]

I see this vicious circle a lot. Horse lacks confidence, looks to rider, rider lacks confidence and looks to horse. I would pay someone to jump the horse and get his confidence/education up to a higher level than you need and then pop you back on and see if you can replicate it.