Drop jump help please

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Shutterbug

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Hi, this is my first post just joined todayso hello everyone
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So, to my problem. My horse ( 12 year old IDxTB called SAm) hates drop jumps - and its like he is genuinely frightened of them. We had a clinic with David Gatherer today and bless him he tried for 10 full minutes to get Sam over the drop jump and it wasnt even a big one nor was there any water involved. My own RI has tried on several occasion to get him over it to no avail. He would jump up it but no amount of coaxing, yelling, kicking or having another horse lead him over it, would entice him anywhere near it.

I have worked very hard with Sam over the past year and normally if he is afraid of a jump he hasnt seen before I just persist with him until he goes over it and then he is fine. This is the first time this has not worked and I'm getting a tad frustrated now. I have tried leading him over it in hand but he just backs up and drags me with him.

Does anyone have any experience with this problem or any tips as to how I can encourage him over this - we have no hope at all of competing if I cant help him overcome this and Im out of ideas
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Hello

It can be difficult if they really lack confidence. I don't know if there is any suitable hunting near you in the winter but that can sometimes work wonders.

If not it is back to basics of very small drops with another horse some pairs classes and build his confidence up. Make sure you always approach in a positive canter, look up and BELIEVE he is going to go over.
 
I had a horse like this last summer, turned out he had a physical problem.. muscle torn from shoulder in his racing days, (ex-racehorse) ment he felt unstable/unsafe jumping down drops...
Maybe get him checked out before you give up all hope.
 
Ruling out any physical probs, find a small bank to go onto if he will jump up. Once he is on top of a bank, the only way is down.... but make sure it is little. Once he has done this a few times, then build up his confidence from there, but a bank would be my first port of call!!
 
Might be worth lungeing him over some first, so he gets the idea of what balance is required.

Horses with back problems aren't keen on doing drops, so I'd rule all that out first.
 
Thanks Madhossy - I had his back checked recently when he started bucking during cross country so I can rule that out, the vet has put that down to excitement and a longer warm up has stopped that, well mostly, we still get the odd one. We had a training session this morning and my RI has advised the same as you, getting him out on the lunge and try getting him over it so we are doing that later this week. Fingers crossed!
 
Best way Ive found to cure this is to use a bank that has sides the shallow gradually to nothing. Jump on to the bank and walk off the side so no drop. Repeat but come off with just a couple of inches of drop. Repeat increasing amount of drop a little each time.

Horse becomes familiar with comming off the same side and the gradual increase builds confidence. I have used this technique to great effect on many occasions. Particularly useful when teaching timid horse to jump down in to water.
 
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