Competition Fizzyness Help!!

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Evem

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7 November 2007
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Hi, Some advice please.! I took my horse out before Christmas for the first time in six months and he completely blew up in the practice ring, spinning, spooking and threatning to rear. We spent 15mins on a small circle by the gate in walk before he settled a bit and then went into the test where he was an angel even though it was a v. spooky indoor arena. He is a 16.3hh WBxTB 10yrs and i've had him since he was 5. He is on a Global Herbs calmer which I increase before a show. The problem is I'm terrified to take him out again!. Any ideas? In the past I've used the Equine America paste but he's too doppy to load! In the summer he's too quiet!
 
Mine got rather excited before Xmas too at his first come since the event season ended, so I did what I do eventing, but modified it because you can't lunge at dressage:

Got on 45 mins before test, went into warm-up and gave him a chance to walk round on a loose rein and behave - cue squeals and bucks. So eventing I would get off and lunge in canter for 10-15 mins to take the edge off him. Can't do that at dressage so I took a forward seat and stuck him on a 20m circle in canter staying out of everyone's way and changeing the rein every so often. When he showed signs of wanting to trot we did a few more circles then I came back to walk and asked for proper work, which I got.

Just takes the edge off them IMO.
 

I always make sure my mare is ridden for over an hour the day before a dressage competition with lots of canter work. I also had her on Bailies stud mix. I then would do three quarters of an hour warm up at the competition. I always found that works otherwise she just explodes in the ring and would give Lippazaners a run for their money. If I lunged her there would be a chance of losing her and I find that there is a lack of space at dressage comps.
 
Tho mines doesnt nap/rear,shes is very tense at shows,ive tried every calmer poss with NO JOY,so given up on buying them,tho i havent tried equine america&thats meant to be good.&Nupafeed?(very expensive if it doesnt work)
All thro the winter ive taken B to very low -key local shows&this has helped.
Think its just a case of getting out more,so its becomes boring for them! even if u just box somewhere to hire out school and jumps 2 play around with.
Do u find the calmer ur using at mo. works then?
Ive just cut her hard feed right down to nuts and a conditioning supp- OMEGA RICE(as she looses weight easy),&she was defo calmer y.day when i rode in the wind&rain&near-on darkness!(hey,maybe this is the key,to ride her in the dark?hehe).
Think most peps over feed,if the horse looks well&has ad-lib hay,then that is norm more than enough for a w.end rider.
Good luck
 
Thanks for that, will try and extend warm up time, the problem is he buches and won't go forward. ref feed he is on 1/2 scoop grass nuts and 1/2 scoop sugar beet + hay (v. good dooer!) the calmer is great at home as he's not fizzy but tense/argumentative.
 
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