Filler problems. Help!!

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Phoebe_the_racehorse

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My 15.2 tb is a fantastic jumper at home but whenever we go away she puts the brakes on and we get eliminated on the first jump. Sometimes she won't even jump the warm up fence! It seems to be that fillers set her off the worst and even at home she can have a bit of a fit about them. Another problem we have is that some days she will refuse to jump anything, home or away! I know it is probably my fault (I had a previous pony who would refuse every single jump no matter what which has knocked my confidence massively and the other day I had a nasty jumping fall) so any tips on how to build confidence or desensitise fillers would be very gratefully received!
 
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Enlist the help of a good instructor and hire venues with courses, and also go to clinics.
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It sounds as if you are not yet ready to go out competing, if she refuses the warm up fence, which will be a simple pole or two, then you have no chance of jumping a course successfully, every time you go out and "fail" it will knock her confidence and make it even more difficult to improve your partnership.
You need to set things up for success by preparing properly, having a decent instructor involved and getting out to low pressure clinics and then some small clear round events where you can have the course as small, poles on the ground if required, as you want.

A good trainer will also help with your lunging issues.
 
Thank you! We have only had one time when she refused to jump the warm up jump (I have a feeling it was external factors i.e. Being in season) but the main problem is the refusing at the fillers. I will have a look for some instructors as well but I have had a couple who didn't work for us so I will have to have a look around!
 
A good instructor is a must. Also I agree that you should stop competing. Arena or course hire would be much better as you can take the time to build up slowly. When you are starting out with fillers put them to the side of the fence and then gradually move them in until they are under the fence. Until she is more confident I would always start with fillers to the side. If you can't find a good instructor you will need someone on the ground to move them in though
 
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