Gaining horses confidence jumping - HELP!

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PrettyPonie

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So I have been given a horse I know absolutely nothing about to compete for the season and after jumping it at a training event I have realized that it has absolutely no confidence in itself when jumping. It has points up to 1* Eventing which makes me wonder how it could have such low confidence especially with fillers like walls. So does anyone have any exercises to help me build his confidence back up? In urgent need of help as first competition is on the 13th of December and doing the 1.05m / 1.10 courses which will all have the full size Liverpool's, walls and gates. Eeeeek. HELP!
 
Firstly, if you don't think it is ready do not take it. It sounds like you need to have a frank conversation with the owners (and obviously that may lead to you losing the ride, it may however also result in you not having an accident!).
 
Sounds like really needs to go back to basics. The only way to gain confidence is to eliminate fear and uncertainty, so in that case I would start very small and straightforward at home for the time being with much reassurance and probably not go to the competition.
 
I had one like that - he'd been ridden by a strong and confident male rider who had made all the decisions for the horse. With a female rider who allowed the horse to think a little for himself (me), he stopped jumping. I put a male rider back on him and he flew.

If I had had the opportunity to carry on with him, I'd've taken him back to basics, treated him like a 4 yr old and brought him back up to 1*
 
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