Decided to Refuse Jumps for the 1st time in 10 months

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denisel

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Well after being branded a bomb proff pony for the past 10 months and jumping anything and everything thats been put in front of him, our beloved pony decided to refuse at the weekend!!!

His first refusal was Friday night in the school. He'd already jumped this particular jump then came round again and that was it, hooves in and a complete stand still. My son - now over the jump but not on his horse
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. As he was fairly shocked by all this, he unfortunately didnt make him jump again. We now realise this was a mistake.

He jumped fine on saturday in the school.

Went to a Pony Club Team jumping event yesterday - on grass for the first time which seemed to hype him up a considerable amount. Went in the warm up ring - refused. Then did a fantastic but scarily fast clear round.

Next round.... 8 fast and clear jumps. No. 9 went up to it - then ran out. Daniel told him off and made him go back and do it again.

This has really thrown us. His instructor has said we need to introduce a crop... This worries me big time as well as being a big disappointment. If he's already fast in the ring, what effect will the crop have on him
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Why would he just start doing this - is he just trying his luck and being naughty????
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Anyone out there who has had this or who can offer some advice.

Thank you
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Horses are not machines, and it sounds like you are jumping a hell of a lot - 3 times in 3 days?? Do you always jump him this much??

My bet is he is getting a bit fed up and trying his luck. Ponies are a bit more intelligent than horses and tend to do things like that!
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I'd give him a bit of a break and see how he is then. If he carries on then maybe there is something physically wrong? Might be worth getting back/teeth etc. checked.
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I understand why your son is upset, I get a bit traumatised when things go wrong! Unfortunately it's just one of the things you have to get used to with horses!
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Hope you get things sorted.
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Maybe he's sore somewhere? Did you buy him new tack? Boots? Anything that could be rubbing or pinching? I'd deffinately get someone to have a look at his back and teeth because if it's uncharacteristic of him then it may be that something somewhere is causing pain.

Then agan, it could be him just testing the waters but as you've had him for 10 months ths seems unusual as they usually do that in the 1st couple of months.
 
Could be just testing his luck - does he usually jump fast though? If not I would say have his back and teeth looked at as rushing fences can often be a sign of discomfort in either or both areas. Obviously none of us do know the standard of your son's riding either. Pony's can be very canny, if they think they can get away with something they will often give it a go!

Maybe your son's confidence and control of the pony need addressing on the flat? As i said though without knowing or seeing your son ride it is tricky to comment although presumably the pony club instructors would be on hand to help here.
 
Oh and just to add to the 'not machines' comment - horses will be horses, even the top ones can just suddenly take a dislike to a fence and then even pop nicely over it at a second attempt, it's just the way it goes!
 
I agree with starbucks. I think a pony has to love jumping a hell of a lot to cope with doing it that often. I used to jump my pony 3 times a week and if i done any more than that she would start to refuse, but she did love to jump.

Have a break from jumping and do some fun things....maybe more hacks where they dont have to concentrate to much on the job.

Good luck i hope you resolve the issue.
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Hi,

Thanks for your comments.

Sorry I should have explained more. Friday's occurrence was when he was being schooled on a flat but then did a couple of jumps at the end. So not a full jumping session.

Saturday we would not normally have jumped being the day before the show but we thought perhaps we should do a few low ones just to make sure he as ok still with the jumping as we hadnt jumped him after the refusal Friday.

This pony loves jumping. He used to do jumping and cross country out in Ireland and everybody says he clearly loves it and gets very excited. Most days of the week he is schooled on flat work and goes out for a nice hack round the lanes. He is definately not over jumped. He is ridden 5/6 out of 7 days but only probably jumped 2-3 of those days. Jumps maybe 2 out of the 4 weekends in events.

It is a mystery though. He's recently had his teeth checked. I will see about getting his back and tack checked. Although if this was a problem would he want to jump at all??

Thanks guys..
 
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He is ridden 5/6 out of 7 days but only probably jumped 2-3 of those days. Jumps maybe 2 out of the 4 weekends in events.

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Sounds as if pony has said enough is enough.

But, it would be worth having him checked out by a vet - and your sons technique checked by his instructor.

Essentially sound as if he's being asked to do too much jumping imo though
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Rushing (especially if he hasn't done it before) is sometimes a sign of discomfort. I'd definitely have his back and tack checked.

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He has always been strong in the ring and eager to go fast which is why my son has to bring him down a fair but.

I understand that this can be enhanced when jumping on the grass for the first time - the PC said that when a pony is in its natural surroundings with open areas they can get fast, particularly if a pony used to compete a lot cross country in Ireland.

I have no idea whether there is some truth in this but i suppose we'll no more in 3 weeks when we go to another event.
 
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But, it would be worth having him checked out by a vet - and your sons technique checked by his instructor.

Essentially sound as if he's being asked to do too much jumping imo though
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My sons instructor is based on our yard and watches him ride regularly. She is extremely pleased at the moment with his technique and also others have commented recently how good the flat work is and how it appears to be paying off. We're on a big yard with various instructors visiting and at the moment he is attending weekly rallys with the pony club which is all flat work and all are really pleased with him.

I will certainly take your comments on board though and go back tonight and discuss with Instructor. In particular about the amount of riding / back and tack check etc.
 
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She is extremely pleased at the moment with his technique and also others have commented recently how good the flat work is and how it appears to be paying off.

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Ah, all sounds good.
 
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