Horse super keen to jump - help!

F

Fingerontheneckstrap

Well-Known Member
Joined
14 March 2022
Messages
51
Visit site
Hello all,

I have been retraining my first ex racehorse for a little under a year, she is doing great! She had done her first few low level competitions at the start of this year, then I gave her another break around April to consolidate her learning, she’s come back in mid May and she has now built up enough muscle and agility to get back out and potentially step up from where we were.

However !! While the break has done her good both mentally and physically - she is now much stronger horse who knows her job and loves it.this is obviously great but she is a lot different to what I am used to!

We jump schooled at home every week and once away at a local venue and she was lush, jumping out of her skin and had so much oomph. We went to our first local combined training two weeks ago, showjumping phase was crazy, was a bit looky at the start but jumped the first two fences and then got overly confident and just took a hold of the bit, forgot I existed and got super speedy (borderline out of control). She still finished with only 4 faults, and actually did a fabulous XC round afterwards.

After this I got her body worker out and she reassured me that she is in really good nick and showing no overt signs of any pain but of course she is not a vet. Would also like to preface she jumps completely fine at home and when renting other arenas.

Went to some unaffiliated SJ last weekend as this is the area we had trouble with and again fast and flat cantered off with me and was evading any attempt to slow down (I will admit I totally did not ride her well around this round!!). Ended up pulling her up after fence four and trotted the rest of the round which worked but obviously isn’t ideal.

I am getting lessons once a month but it’s so hard because the show atmosphere can’t be recreated at home or when out schooling at a near empty venue so she always goes sweetly. My instructor competes most weekends so is never really available to come to shows with me (I work full time so unfortunately weekend shows only work for me) but does provide feedback from videos I send her. We have been doing some flatwork exercises on extending and collecting using my seat rather than just hands and my mare is great - but again I know in my heart this will totally go out the window at a show with speakers/crowd/general buzz. Instructor also suggested setting up related distances and extend/shorten using body aids, and if she tries to take off on landing to pull up after fences too.

She seems to need a different bit as well (currently in a turtle top for everything) as she was very evasive at our last show so bit fitting is on the books which might help.

I also believe she may just need more exposure to shows and the atmosphere, and becoming less tense will come with time and experience. she didn’t really know what was happening at the handful of shows she did before her break however now I think the excitement of jumping again combined with knowing exactly what she’s there for is making her super buzzy.

Anyways, after all of this rambling I just want to know has anyone experienced similar and if you have what helped/didn’t help and do you have any suggestions because I love this little mare and really can see her doing so well competitively once her (and my!!) confidence grows.
 
if she’s fine at home, and looky to the first couple of fences, i’d think it was more likely she’s rushing to get it over with because she’s overwhelmed rather than enjoying it.

i’d look to find something with a calmer atmosphere to dip her toes in, can you try clinics? jumping with others but not quite as many as a competition! or try clear rounds at local shows, working hunter might be easier to find than show jumping, keep the jumps small and just trot them all so she can really process what’s going on.

my 6 year old is currently on box rest, but i found she was the same - once we started doing courses competing she was taking off with me but crashing through everything! she loves her jumping but i do think it was because she was overwhelmed rather than enjoying it, so i can sympathise! in her case though it’s definitely not the atmosphere as she’s been to many a show, it’s more the addition of more jumps haha.

if it’s the atmosphere, why not give inhand or ridden shows a go at your local riding club? more likely to recreate the sj atmosphere than something like dressage, without the need to get over objects😂
 
dottylottie said:
if she’s fine at home, and looky to the first couple of fences, i’d think it was more likely she’s rushing to get it over with because she’s overwhelmed rather than enjoying it.

i’d look to find something with a calmer atmosphere to dip her toes in, can you try clinics? jumping with others but not quite as many as a competition! or try clear rounds at local shows, working hunter might be easier to find than show jumping, keep the jumps small and just trot them all so she can really process what’s going on.

my 6 year old is currently on box rest, but i found she was the same - once we started doing courses competing she was taking off with me but crashing through everything! she loves her jumping but i do think it was because she was overwhelmed rather than enjoying it, so i can sympathise! in her case though it’s definitely not the atmosphere as she’s been to many a show, it’s more the addition of more jumps haha.

if it’s the atmosphere, why not give inhand or ridden shows a go at your local riding club? more likely to recreate the sj atmosphere than something like dressage, without the need to get over objects😂
Click to expand...
Yes I’ll have a look at some clinics, such a good point!

She does have some lovely flatwork (still a work in progress though!) but showing might be something to try in the future. Local riding club also something to consider rejoining too, if not even for the support and encouragement.

You could be onto something about her being a bit overwhelmed, she can become quite tense but I do also think my tenseness when she gets that way does not help! Definitely goes both ways for us!
 
I'd go right back to basics. Poles then small jumps from trot to start and halt. She needs to learn to go at the pace and direction you dictate. Low key clear round jumping to build confidence. Gridwork clinics to build up correct muscles.
She's less than a year out of racing which is nothing.
Concentrate on the process not the goals.
 
Definitely go out and do some clinics and arena hires!! Not the same sort of horse at all but my daughters Welsh is very keen to a fence, she has worked hard at riding her in different environments in lessons and she has got better…in her case she does charge at home too to fences sometimes so I think it’s just what she’s been used to doing over the years. We’ve not really changed bits as such as she’s already in a 2 ring gag but what has helped is a curb strap! Made a big difference in terms of bringing back between fences…I was skeptical till we tried it!

Poles before fences does sort of help but I think most instructors have said it’s just her way of going when she jumps and will be almost impossible to change her now (she’s 14) so what they have been working on is controlling and bringing back to trot between fences where they can, using the corners etc. as my daughter has got bigger and stronger it’s definitely helped her.

Environment can certainly make a difference and if the rider is nervous it definitely makes it worse in our experience 🤪 so hiring different arenas and clinics will definitely help you x
 
Fingerontheneckstrap said:
Yes I’ll have a look at some clinics, such a good point!

She does have some lovely flatwork (still a work in progress though!) but showing might be something to try in the future. Local riding club also something to consider rejoining too, if not even for the support and encouragement.

You could be onto something about her being a bit overwhelmed, she can become quite tense but I do also think my tenseness when she gets that way does not help! Definitely goes both ways for us!
Click to expand...
give the ROR classes a bash! you never know, you might find yourself a new forte;) good luck with her, i reckon your username is a good start!😂
 
I would focus on coming back to trot between fences, circle if you need it - you say it doesn't happen in arena hires or lessons, or at home, but that is also possibly because if she did rush off at home you would not continue wanging round the course at full speed, you'd do something about it! Often they get faster and faster as they get unbalanced, which makes them jump flatter and it all goes in a viscious circle. Don't worry about clear rounds for now, just focus on the control. It's much nicer having one that is keen though than not! Good luck.
 
BronsonNutter said:
I would focus on coming back to trot between fences, circle if you need it - you say it doesn't happen in arena hires or lessons, or at home, but that is also possibly because if she did rush off at home you would not continue wanging round the course at full speed, you'd do something about it! Often they get faster and faster as they get unbalanced, which makes them jump flatter and it all goes in a viscious circle. Don't worry about clear rounds for now, just focus on the control. It's much nicer having one that is keen though than not! Good luck.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the advice. Definitely agree that it’s nice having something that is happy to go around (even if she can be speedy!!). Totally agree that I don’t ride her like I do at home when she does start going up a gear, it’s like I get stage fright at how forward she is and just steer. I think bringing her back and making her listen (and ignoring the couple of poles down) no matter how un-pretty it may look will certainly make a difference.
 
Nicnac said:
I'd go right back to basics. Poles then small jumps from trot to start and halt. She needs to learn to go at the pace and direction you dictate. Low key clear round jumping to build confidence. Gridwork clinics to build up correct muscles.
She's less than a year out of racing which is nothing.
Concentrate on the process not the goals.
Click to expand...
I need to source a few clear rounds near me! I think getting her back to me won’t be pretty but that’s what clear round showjumping rounds are for.
 
Dust Bunny said:
Perhaps all the hustle and bustle reminds her of her racing days! When you're practicing at home there's not much noise and activity going on. I think Nicnac has the right idea.
Click to expand...
Probably does, have noticed she gets very amped up getting on the lorry as is and is always enthusiastic to load 😂 my other horse is a well seasoned eventer who knows to contain himself during dressage/SJ and can let loose out XC, so it’s interesting having something that finds it all so exciting and isn’t quite sure how to contain it. If anything this mare has taught me that it’s the humans that need most of the retraining (particularly in terms of their mindset) in comparison to the horse.
 
i'd avoid going to any competitions until you've been out to lots of different jumping lessons and clinics at different venues and she's confident and relaxed. Lots of trot and pop jumping too. If they're running through the bridle they're panicking and not learning - they'll usually go like that for a while until deciding to pack it in altogether. No need to compete until everything is feeling super confident and rideable out and about in non competitive situations :)
 
I jumped for several decades before a head injury put a stop to that. When I was jumping (a bit different in those days jumping was everywhere all round the country, every weekend), I used to jump at home once a week and went to a BSJA show every weekend. In the summer we went to away shows (which were amazing back then). We had quite young horses and always had the intention of showjumping only. We never really did all the clinics, we trained at home and went to shows. The good pro riders with a string of horses used to get their four year olds straight to shows, but we just went to have fun. As it said it was a different generation back then and now you would have to travel a long way for shows each weekend where I live. When they got in their later years we had a huge amount of fun doing fun rides, clinics, dressage as they were so experienced and we wanted to save their legs. The key with the young ones is repetition, start at British novice and gradually work your way up. Go with the idea of a schooling round, after a good season then think about turns and placings/ qualifiers. TB’s are different to the Belgian horses I always liked, they like to go fast and are not that careful. But, just give her plenty of shows, don’t over do it and just move up when you get your four double clears. Just go most weekends and give her the breaks- as a racehorse she will have done a lot for her age. Good luck and enjoy the journey. Just take your time and no rush. She will probably be brilliant round a Derby class in a few years time- outclassing my Belgian Warmbloods who never really thrived round natural courses
 
Last edited:
MellissaGJ said:
I jumped for several decades before a head injury put a stop to that. When I was jumping (a bit different in those days jumping was everywhere all round the country, every weekend), I used to jump at home once a week and went to a BSJA show every weekend. In the summer we went to away shows (which were amazing back then). We had quite young horses and always had the intention of showjumping only. We never really did all the clinics, we trained at home and went to shows. The good pro riders with a string of horses used to get their four year olds straight to shows, but we just went to have fun. As it said it was a different generation back then and now you would have to travel a long way for shows each weekend where I live. When they got in their later years we had a huge amount of fun doing fun rides, clinics, dressage as they were so experienced and we wanted to save their legs. The key with the young ones is repetition, start at British novice and gradually work your way up. Go with the idea of a schooling round, after a good season then think about turns and placings/ qualifiers. TB’s are different to the Belgian horses I always liked, they like to go fast and are not that careful. But, just give her plenty of shows, don’t over do it and just move up when you get your four double clears. Just go most weekends and give her the breaks- as a racehorse she will have done a lot for her age. Good luck and enjoy the journey. Just take your time and no rush. She will probably be brilliant round a Derby class in a few years time- outclassing my Belgian Warmbloods who never really thrived round natural courses
Click to expand...
The difference between your warmbloods and reschooling and ex racehorse is that you're actively trying to undo a bunch of life experience - and the competition ring is not the place to do that
 
RachelFerd said:
i'd avoid going to any competitions until you've been out to lots of different jumping lessons and clinics at different venues and she's confident and relaxed. Lots of trot and pop jumping too. If they're running through the bridle they're panicking and not learning - they'll usually go like that for a while until deciding to pack it in altogether. No need to compete until everything is feeling super confident and rideable out and about in non competitive situations :)
Click to expand...
100% this. Your mare isn’t ready. She’s not rushing because she loves it. Back to basics until they are boring.
 
She also might be rushing it because of balance issues, my hobby horse but it may be playing a part. It's like a form of trigger stacking, that she can just about cope, and "mask" in a way (ie compensate, use the wrong muscles), at home, but add in a competitive atmosphere, including you probably riding, or even just seeming, a bit different, and suddenly she's overwhelmed. The more I do this job the more I feel that very few horses are "loving" these things, when they're super speedy and pulling etc.
 
Maybe you could try a few dressage shows. So you have the competition atmosphere, warm up etc. without the jumping.
 
A racehorse in public will often offer what they know and that’s go .
I don’t think trotting is any issue at all it’s what I would have done .
TB’s are bred to go but if you keep repeating concentrating on calmness your horse will get idea .
It might take a while for the jumping and cantering and calmness to come but it will.
 
I'm probably just reiterating what has already been said, but horses don't rush because they 'love' it - they rush from anxiety. I've got one who came to me bolting into and away from fences, we nailed it at home with lots of reschooling and confidence building. He was jumping 1'10's when he came to me - you bet we spent a year not jumping anything bigger than 70cm until he could do so calmly and confidently. Once we stepped back out to shows it was one step forward and two back for a good while. The atmosphere and everything else going on would lead to him being trigger stacked and a few fences into the course he would start rushing and panicking again. He would often warm up beautifully, then get into the ring and lose his head. I spent a lot of shows coming back to trot between fences to rebalance and regroup, it was quite comical to watch as everyone else would be riding like they stole to get the fastest time, meanwhile I looked like I was out for a leisurely Sunday hack! :oops:He improved slowly, to the point we could get maybe 9-10 fences in until he started to lose his head. It was actually a good while before I could canter hime round a whole course of fences. He is now a fairly happy showjumper, but every time I have stepped him up a class I feel the anxiety creep back in and we often need to take a step back and repeat that confidence building.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top