Horse plays up at one dressage venue, only when I ride...

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wench

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Particular venue that my horse always throws a tantrum at when we go there for a dressage comp; generally involves fixing head and neck against me and cantering off as fast as possible.

So I have put her on schooling livery there for a couple of weeks in the hope of trying to solve the problem. Went to ride earlier this week in the arena whist it was set out with dressage boards, was still a toad. Spoken to YO, and she's been good when staff have been riding her.

I have her on a herbal calmer that's meant to stop nerves, don't think I will bother getting any more as it's clearly not doing anything! The only two things I can think why she is bad with me there is that I've only ridden her in the dark under floodlights there (not sure what time staff have been riding), or the fact that she's very clever, has played up with me every time we've been competing there, so just carries on doing it as she knows she can get away with it in a test? Tried booking a lesson this week in the arena to see what I'm doing wrong but I couldn't get anyone to come out

Any other thoughts most welcome!
 
Have you seen the staff ride her? Are you sure their version of good is the same as yours? Are there multiple arenas and if so are you in the same one as the staff have been riding her? What is she like at other venues away from home with you?

Sorry for all the questions, it sounds like a proper puzzle! Can the staff who have been riding her not give you a lesson, maybe they ride her first then you ride her?
 
Unfortunately with timings with work the staff have all gone by the time I get there, and she's coming home on Monday. Yes there are multiple arenas, however it was specified it was the main one she had a problem with and has been ridden in there by the staff.

She does get tense in dressage arenas, but none half as bad as this one.
 
wench said:
Unfortunately with timings with work the staff have all gone by the time I get there, and she's coming home on Monday. Yes there are multiple arenas, however it was specified it was the main one she had a problem with and has been ridden in there by the staff.

She does get tense in dressage arenas, but none half as bad as this one.
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I don't see the point in schooling livery where the YO is happy to take your money but is not prepared to either arrange to give you a lesson or ride the horse in front of you at a mutually agreeable time, running a yard often means putting yourself out and for a one off it is not that much to ask or expect, even a good video of a session would possibly suffice to show how well the horse has been going, otherwise it seems that you have paid for a service that has not really been worthwhile.

I would arrange something for the weekend or on Monday before you take her home.
 
be positive said:
I don't see the point in schooling livery where the YO is happy to take your money but is not prepared to either arrange to give you a lesson or ride the horse in front of you at a mutually agreeable time, running a yard often means putting yourself out and for a one off it is not that much to ask or expect, even a good video of a session would possibly suffice to show how well the horse has been going, otherwise it seems that you have paid for a service that has not really been worthwhile.

I would arrange something for the weekend or on Monday before you take her home.
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I can't as I'm working.
 
Presumably you can ride her under lights while she's staying there and being worked by them during the day? Do that and see what she's like?
 
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It sounds tricky as ideally you need to get at least on session with the staff who are riding her and you there. When you go and collect her on Monday will that be during the day? Can they do something with you before you take her home.

I would ask the staff more questions, how is she when they first start in that arena, does she show a any signs (however small) of acting up in that arena? Do they ride with the boards out? What type of work are they doing with her (ask about specific exercises). There is every chance that because you are expecting her to misbehave she is and if they are used to having horses in for schooling they almost pre-empt the problem or deal with it do quickly at the start to them it's not a big deal but it might be the crux of the issue you are having.

I would expect them to be slightly more proactive in helping you as you haven't just sent her for a couple of weeks schooling but you have sent her to overcome a very specific problem. You could also ask if it's possible for the person who is riding her this week to ride her in a class next time you bring her up to compete.
 
I have one who remembers every place he's been .
He threw the towel in competing .
At home he's a lovely forward horse I took him somewhere were I suspect he was returned to go XC schooling after a particularly bad competition he just froze in the car park and refused to move in was a very difficult day .
I don't compete him it's just not worth it and I am passed the stage of forcing horses to things they hate .
I think it's likely your horse did not enjoy his stay , if he where mine I would return there twice a week and hire the school .
The first twice I would do very little except stretchy stretchy and things she likes and gradually work her harder each visit .
Mine is now happy to do clinics and I enjoy him I have never returned to that place with him .
 
Tbh I can understand the YO not expecting her staff to work overtime to accommodate you OP. It usually is the case that whatever the reason to send away for schooling the owner needs to be able to get there for a few lessons for it to be of the most benefit and I don't understand why you didn't arrange to sent the horse at a time where you would be able to do this, particularly approaching the end of the stay.
 
My guess, not having seen either you or the horse, is that there is a combination of the horse remembering a bad experience (which you might not have picked up on) and the rider remembering a bad experience, with both getting more and more tense as things fall apart. I suggest that you book some lessons on your horse at the venue, which will help you to gradually make progress with the problem.
 
Sent my horse away as I am away with work so I wouldn't be getting to ride. Venue generally runs comps at the weekend so I can't go there for lessons. I can't get after work, nor can I afford to loose a days wages by going during the day.

I wasn't tense yesterday, was fully expecting horse to be her normal self, but instead got the "toad" version!

I was supposed to have s lesson with my instructor earlier this week, but she had to cancel at the last minute therefore I couldn't get anyone else in.

Horse is fine in the same arena when the showjumps are up
 
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