ChestnutMonty
Well-Known Member
I have a lovely 7yo dutch sports horse who has been very sharp until the past year. I now have him settled and rideable. He always jumps well SJ (he was brought from a SJ dealer so this is his comfort phase) and his dressage is fair. Across country he used to be very sharp and run out violently (last year this caused me to break my ankle at Larkhill). I have now (fingers crossed) resolved this, he is much happier in his work, doesnt buck any more, his tension near disappeared and he is now nice and forward going - but he is still stopping accross country..
He jumps all water/ditches/tekhanas/banks/conbinations beautifully but strangely he stops at; the first fence (twice now) or chairs/tables (always solid and freshly painted/shiny fences particularly if the sun is shining on it!). He will approach normally as if he is going but then stop 2 strides out (slapping the anchors down behind), I can then get him to walk towards it, look at it, walk along the length of the jump reapproach and then he will fly over.
Sometimes he stops far enough infront that (if you could get him to move!) you could potentially get 1 or 2 strides of canter and jump from there..?
I'm an okay rider - I had my last horse from 5yo up to Novice, and i have regular lessons with accredited trainer, (who sadly having a crashing fall off a clients horse last year wont take risks on clients horses anymore) hence why i'm not asking him to ride! But maybe he needs a stronger rider to get him going? Would anyone be interested? What you can expect to pay for a rider per event?
So frustrating as hes such a lovely horse now and hes seems very happy in his work.
He has osteopath/teeth/saddle/etc regularly so it's not pain/discomfort issue.
Oh and he never stops at home and very rarely at xc schooling...
Help, ideas, recommendations greatly appreciated
He jumps all water/ditches/tekhanas/banks/conbinations beautifully but strangely he stops at; the first fence (twice now) or chairs/tables (always solid and freshly painted/shiny fences particularly if the sun is shining on it!). He will approach normally as if he is going but then stop 2 strides out (slapping the anchors down behind), I can then get him to walk towards it, look at it, walk along the length of the jump reapproach and then he will fly over.
Sometimes he stops far enough infront that (if you could get him to move!) you could potentially get 1 or 2 strides of canter and jump from there..?
I'm an okay rider - I had my last horse from 5yo up to Novice, and i have regular lessons with accredited trainer, (who sadly having a crashing fall off a clients horse last year wont take risks on clients horses anymore) hence why i'm not asking him to ride! But maybe he needs a stronger rider to get him going? Would anyone be interested? What you can expect to pay for a rider per event?
So frustrating as hes such a lovely horse now and hes seems very happy in his work.
He has osteopath/teeth/saddle/etc regularly so it's not pain/discomfort issue.
Oh and he never stops at home and very rarely at xc schooling...
Help, ideas, recommendations greatly appreciated