Confidence building for my horse!

[charmeroo]

Hi everyone! Hope someone might have some good ideas for me!

I own a 7 year old ex racehorse who is great at competitions in that he behaves well. However he screams all the way there and all the way back in the lorry - although he actually travels very well (I have been in there with him and travelling is not the issue). He warms up well with other horses and is not bothered by them at all.

However, when we go into the dressage arena he backs off me, screams, tucks his chin into his chest and will not go forwards! Thus all his good work in the warm up is for nothing! The judge today picked up that this is quite likely a lack of confidence issue more than anything else as he is quite capable of doing a really good test!!

Has anyone experienced this problem and what did you do to help you horse increase his confidence? As I have said, mine is quite chilled out about going to shows but his lack of confidence in the arena is a real problem!!

 

[Doormouse]

You could try taking him into a laid out dressage arena with another horse for a lesson which will give him confidence about being inside the boards but with a friend and also if you are having a lesson he won't feel under so much pressure. I think everyone is inclined to tense up as they enter an arena for a test and some horses pick up on that more than others. Try also entering HC and just ride him round the arena doing the test but not asking for any collection or specific movements at exactly the right moment. Hopefully his confidence will grow from this and you can start to ask for more as you go on. Good luck with him.

 

[charmeroo]

Thanks - yes - going HC sounds like a good idea. I know that I do tense up especially on the left rein! He's quite used to schooling with others but you might well be right that the problem is more with me than him!