Ducking out!!!

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charlotte79

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Ok people my mare has started ducking out at fences....she is only green but we have not had a problem before, it started after we jumped a double that wasn't the right distance and she ducked out at the second part, since then whenever she feels like it she will duck out, doesn't matter to what side either. i know its my fault and have been trying to ride her into the fences but today after one duck out i really got after her and she went to jump it then ducked out at the very last minute to which i fell off. i then got back on and gave her a whack and she jumped it fine. she has always been a little nappy and tries things on but she is also an unconfident mare....my problem is the more she does it the more i lose faith in myself and her. any ideas please?? oh and her teeth, tack, back etc are all fine
 
Hi

Have you tried putting some guide poles up? It will just give the extra stability she may need to guide her in.

Also if hers and your confidences has been knocked, try taking it back to the beginning, do pole work and get her confident then raised poles etc etc.

Hope you and your mare get it sorted

Gemma
 
Right, bring the jumps down to height that is easily leapt from standstill/ walked over. Approach in trot and if she does go to duck out stop her, make her face the jump and push her over/through it. Repeat until she gets the idea that there is no other way to the other side.
You also need to slowly build her confidence up, keep the jumps small and distances true until you are able to regulate her stride easily.
 
no we haven't tried that yet...i was having lessons and we were jumping big but only after she ducked out once or twice, i don't want to ruin her or my confidence so maybe back to basics it is. i just worry that maybe shes taking the mickey out of me:confused:
 
Don't worry you wont ruin her. Just take it step by step and build both or your confidence up. You have to think positive for her. I know this is easier said than done. But dont give up and just take it easy. Enjoy having a horse, dont worry about it! You will both get things back to normal soon!
 
she has only ducked out in canter....if i trot her over the fences she's fine which is why i worry shes trying it on but maybe starting small and rebuilding both out confidence is what we need. i know shes feeling the spring as shes become more nappy out hacking etc
 
i've had her 18months now from a 4yr old and we've shown...hunted...xc, i feel like we've taken a major leap backwards. i did have a bad fall from a previous saddle slipping and its been since then.
 
charlotte79 said:
she has only ducked out in canter....if i trot her over the fences she's fine which is why i worry shes trying it on but maybe starting small and rebuilding both out confidence is what we need. i know shes feeling the spring as shes become more nappy out hacking etc
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I suspect the reason she ducks out only in canter is that it is more difficult to find the right take off, if the distances aren't true. The same advice applies, the question is - have you got enough control over her canter to do so?
It does sound to me as she has had her confidence knocked and at the same time discovered that she doesn't have to jump.
It's all a bit vague, though as I haven't SEEN what is actually happening.
By riding her strongly into the jump, you might also be disturbing her rhythm and encourage her to duck out.
 
How is she with cantering over poles on the floor?

If she is not confident I would take her back to a stage where she is confident and build her back up again, so maybe canter poles on the floor with guide poles if needed to make her happy again, so you can then approach fences in a nice rhythm instead of having to push her in and maybe flustering her.

Your coming off has possibly knocked her confidence, also if the saddle slipped due to it being a poor fit it might also have been causing her some discomfort when she jumped, so she now needs to regain her confidence at a level where she feels comfortable.
 
How old is she? Could it be just a new 'trick'? Bizarrely mine started it a couple of weeks ago, it has taken her ages to get confident jumping and then it was like she had been being just too good and decided to start playing up. Gave her a good telling off after last time and she hasnt tried it since :)

Sure everyone on here will disagree but thats what i put her behaviour down to! And since then been an angel!
 
she is 6 and i don't think its her confidence because she'll jump fine over one or two fences then just says sod this i'm gonna duck out. i've tried riding her to the fence with just my seat and leg and shes like nah thanks but if i get after her and shout and give her a tap with the stick she'll get wound up but jump....i guess she feels me anticipating the duck out now and takes advantage :(
 
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