Frustrating XC issues. Running out of ideas.

[JGC]

I don't want to be that person but is she on anything for her seasons? I had one that had a similar issues despite never showing any other classic signs of seasons (or any sign at all really). At this stage worth a try if you haven't already?

 

[Fourtoomany]

I tried lots of things on the past including the hormone injection. It never made a difference!

 

[MagicMelon]

Got very similar issue OP, mine was doing this last few times (still very green XC) - extremely backward. Even following another horse, she would jump but handbrake wasnt off. Yet in training she flies everything no problem. Im taking her back to basics and any XC events (very far and few between where I live sadly) then I'll be doing the smallest possible class - literally minimus sort of height and will just ask her to trot round. I wont be turning her away from anything as the fences will be small enough to do from a stand still. Problem with her is half way round she tends to literally shut down completely and literally comes back to walk and its a huge effort to get her moving again! Really bizarre behaviour and not something Ive come across before. I had a horse who messed about over the first few fences but he was just being nappy. She isnt, its something else. So yeah, I guess Ill let you know if I find a solution! Otherwise, Ive just figured if she really doesnt take to it then she'll just be a showjumper instead which she does seem happy to do

 

[#jackofallmasterofnone]

I had this problem. Schooling and pairs totally fine and loved jumping xc. Lucky to have a super trainer who figured it out. It was me … even though I thought I was going forward and committed to going I really wasn’t … I had to work on finding the xc canter … the proper one. So we worked on that and then leaving the start box a tap on the bum … right as we left. Took a few events and then it clicked and right to our last event together that one tap leaving the start got us both focussed and in gear. It was always the case the first half of a course was me saying go go go and the second half me saying woah woah woah but we had many fun (and successful) years eventing together.

 

[Fourtoomany]

Got very similar issue OP, mine was doing this last few times (still very green XC) - extremely backward. Even following another horse, she would jump but handbrake wasnt off. Yet in training she flies everything no problem. Im taking her back to basics and any XC events (very far and few between where I live sadly) then I'll be doing the smallest possible class - literally minimus sort of height and will just ask her to trot round. I wont be turning her away from anything as the fences will be small enough to do from a stand still. Problem with her is half way round she tends to literally shut down completely and literally comes back to walk and its a huge effort to get her moving again! Really bizarre behaviour and not something Ive come across before. I had a horse who messed about over the first few fences but he was just being nappy. She isnt, its something else. So yeah, I guess Ill let you know if I find a solution! Otherwise, Ive just figured if she really doesnt take to it then she'll just be a showjumper instead which she does seem happy to do

This is exactly what she does! Half way around she throws in the towel and plants. It’s the feeling of they slow grinding to ah halt that you know you can do nothing about. It’s like a car when it cuts out!

 

[Bernster]

Jack.., I do wonder if this is what I’m doing. Finn was way better last outing when I’d worked on proper ’go’ reactions. Next outing, whenever that happens, I’m going to try a better warm up, then ride really forward and very determined and see if this helps.

 

[#jackofallmasterofnone]

Jack.., I do wonder if this is what I’m doing. Finn was way better last outing when I’d worked on proper ’go’ reactions. Next outing, whenever that happens, I’m going to try a better warm up, then ride really forward and very determined and see if this helps.

It was a game changer for me. We had napping and spooking which would get worse as we went around the course usually resulting in EL at a straight forward fence we would have had zero issue with schooling. Finding the proper GO seemed to get his mind on me instead of everything else! Right out the box and every time we landed from a fence I said HEY GO! (Sometimes out loud lol) Full disclosure I did bit up a little - he was very strong so it actually gave me more confidence to GO as the breaks were there … realise ‘stronger bit to go more forward’ sounds like opposite land but worked for me.

 

[SOS]

Not sure this is the answer and needs to be used in the correct way but I have found a schooling whip a life saver in these situations. Allows you to back up your leg aid and keep them going without taking your hands off the reins. I find it much easier to “catch” the moments where you lose energy and they drop off. Not competition legal so will need to go HC or training comps and obviously not to be overused.