Horse 'shuts down' at competitions

[WineOClock]

My horse is forward going at home but when we go off site (dressage comp or arena hire), he seems to shut down and switch off from my aids - hard to describe but he becomes backward thinking and I can almost hear him saying 'beam me up Scottie', get me out of here! Just feels strange as I'd tended to assume that if anything horses would go sharp in a strange place, and this feels like the opposite. He's not a baby but hasn't done masses in the 4 years I've had him.
I'm thinking that we clearly need to get out more and more to build his confidence (we had started on this and he was definitely beginning to feel more forward and positive away from home, then obviously all stopped last year and it feels like we're now back at square one!), but am also wondering if there's other things I could be doing to help him. For example hacking we always go with a friend; though he's very happy to march along in front, I'm wondering if going out solo would help his confidence in a way that would then translate to the different environment of a competition?
Just interested to hear the experiences of others, any advice for building confidence, and tips for riding the warm up in these circumstances.

 

[ihatework]

It’s a bit dull when they are like this.
You need to go out somewhere every single week. Not competing, but arena hires, lessons, clinics, test riding.
Also be very aware if your feelings/behaviours as it’s very easy to transmit tension and nerves.
It’s really worth blitzing this for a few months and will pay off in the end

 

[milliepops]

^^ this, and also experiment with what you do as a rider. I have one that goes into herself when she is anxious and there's no point in battering away at her trying to make her forward, you have to sort of edge around the issue and do work that helps her to relax, even if that means accepting the mincing about to start with. for mine, it is canter work that unlocks her when she gets stuck in tension, so at a show I canter early to get her breathing, and keep the trot work for later on, when she's relaxed.

Dressage tests usually start with the trotwork so I have to allow for this mentally if she's having a tough day. my freestyles start in canter

 

[WineOClock]

Thanks IHW, that's really helpful advice, and has given me the kick up the backside I need to get out more, rather than go out once a month and hope things will magically get easier!
Also, thanks MP - I have a warm up routine that works well at home, but realise I've been trying to do the same one off site, even though the horse is a totally different beast away from his home turf - how rigid of me is that! Listening to where the horse is at and adapting my riding accordingly seems so obvious when you say it, but I have to confess my brain hasn't really been making the connection - maybe the horse isn't the only one shutting down (which I guess on reflection is the point IHW is making about rider nerves also contributing to the issue). Hey ho, a step at a time!

 

[Goldenstar]

What had he done in the way of competing before you got him ?

 

[WineOClock]

Absolutely nothing. I got him age 6 from a riding school who'd had him less than a year after buying him from a dealer in Ireland. Think the Irish experience had been 'rough broke' then roared about hunting a few times.

 

[Jellymoon]

Aw, he sounds like one of those who goes into himself when he’s a bit worried. I had one like this, he would creep around with the handbrake on, it was his form of going spooky at a new place.
I don’t think I did anything specific but he got better the more he did.
At least he’s not flying around like a loon, scattering people and causing mayhem!!

 

[millikins]

Our shy, oversensitive but very forward connie also used to do this at big shows. As others have said it was a confidence issue with him and he improved with practice.

 

[Vodkagirly]

I would book yourself in for clinics at as many venues as possible. Take away competition nerves and practice riding around strange horses in a new environment with some instruction. Have a look around the local riding clubs and the local pros to see what's going on

 

[baran]

Maybe the horse simply doesn't enjoy it. OH's mare was like that - super paces at home then would switch off as soon as she entered a dressage arena. It wasn't a confidence issue. Started competing with her once she was broken to drive and she was a completely different animal - on her toes, showing off and obviously having a ball! Loved the dressage, sped round the cones and tried her hardest in the obstacles. No idea why this was more fun for her than ridden competitions.

 

[Spirit2021]

My horse is the same. He just hate competitions and to be honest I was never able to change his mindset .

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

One of my Arabs was like that as a young horse just wouldn't move at a show, it is a confidence thing and I think it's better than having one turn itself inside out have had one of those as well! He did get better the more we did and then he went round the same as at home eventually.

 

[j1ffy]

^^ this, and also experiment with what you do as a rider. I have one that goes into herself when she is anxious and there's no point in battering away at her trying to make her forward, you have to sort of edge around the issue and do work that helps her to relax, even if that means accepting the mincing about to start with. for mine, it is canter work that unlocks her when she gets stuck in tension, so at a show I canter early to get her breathing, and keep the trot work for later on, when she's relaxed.

Dressage tests usually start with the trotwork so I have to allow for this mentally if she's having a tough day. my freestyles start in canter

As MP says, you'll need to experiment. Danny (the horse in my avatar) goes very behind-the-leg at competitions - he internalises his worries so doesn't explode, just goes very into himself and potters around looking pretty but not really going anywhere.

The solution for him has been the opposite to MP's Kira and getting him moving forwards and working through the nerves has been the key. As one trainer said to me at a camp, "f&$(ing gallop!" around the edge of the arena before going in at A (caveat - Danny is a chunky warmblood who doesn't know how to actually gallop so it's probably a bare medium canter!). Probably not quite so popular in the warm-up but I find that stepping up a gear and working him straight away rather than doing the longer rein / stretchy work that we do at home helps.

He was very hard work at our first comp back a couple of weeks ago, but much better on Sunday, so getting out regular definitely helps. Now I just need to fix my own nerves..!