Can change in routine affect jumping

[SplashofSoy]

This is going to sound ridiculous but had a lesson last night and first 30 mins was flat work. Horse worked fab and was really soft and responsive, instructor really pleased. Then moved on to do a bit of jumping practice before comp on Sunday. Horse loves his jumping, jumps despite any rider error comfortably at 95/105 courses.

First fence 75cm - just stopped dead, presented again stopped, third time reluctantly jumped it. Instructor puzzled as approach and stride were right. this is a horse that never stops, would rather take poles than stop even if you are completely wrong.

Came round to next fence and another stop. Put fence to cross pole and he jumped it first time but only after kicking into it in a style a pony club child on fat pony would have proud of. Left it at that and did a cool down.

Not heat or swelling in his legs, worked lovely on the flat, no lameness or unlevel strides so suggests not a pain issue. Back and teeth checked last month both fine and saddle checked no changes 2 months ago. Jumped last Thursday beautifully.

Only thing i can think of is he was turned out 24/7 on Tuesday. Over winter they are in at night and day turnout (about 7 hours) is outside on an all weather surface to save the fields. This has been the rountine for 3 years and never had a problem before.

So could he just be so full of grass and tired from being out that he was uncomfortable and not wanting to jump. Anyone ever had this before?

 

[soulfull]

Did you put him in the stable with bedding before riding him?

My old horse used to refused to jump if he needed to pee and would not pee unless he had been in the stable or lorry.

New horse had his back done beginning of Jan, 3rd week in Jan started acting odd when jumping. He looked fine on flat but had chiro out and he had a few minor issues again. She put him right and he jumped like his old self again

I have had to have the chiro 3 or 4 times this year alone, he is always messing around in the field and doing the same thing. I have asked if she thinks there is something underlying causing it. Her answer was no just a slight weakness that will get better as he gets stronger (he is only young)

 

[SpottedCat]

Could be coincidence. I would try him again, and if the same happens, I would then be looking to get the vet - my horse (v similar to yours, would rather take a pole than stop), started stopping. Eventually, after two vets telling me it was my riding, we got to the bottom of it - gastric ulcers. Cured the ulcers, horse went back to being fine to jump. He showed no other symptoms and was still jumping fine XC (adrenaline masking pain I think).

Not in any way saying it is ulcers, just that if a horse acts so out of character, it is worth investigating further with a vet. I ended up self-referring to another practice for a loss of performance work up.