Horse won't jump into water, please help!

Paint it Lucky

Paint it Lucky

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My horse has a thing about jumping down into water, he will quite happily go down a slope into it or canter through it then jump out of it etc but he won't jump down a step into it. Last time I took him xc schooling I managed to get him to jump over a small log into the water but steps were a no-no. He just stops going forward as you approach and whilst I'm sure I don't ride him strongly enough towards a drop into water I don't want to become someone who has to beat their horse up in order to make him go in. Are there any training exercises we can work on? He is generally a good horse who enjoys his jumping but I got him as a bit of a rescue case, originally he wouldn't go near a jump and it has taken lots of carefull schooling to build up his confidence, so I want some way to solve this issue without upsetting him (or getting dunked ina water jump!) Any ideas welcome. Thankyou :)
 
make sure it's a small step, and go up it repeatedly first, slowly (ideally from walk if it's small enough) as well as in and out up and down a slope so that he totally trusts that the water is a safe depth. when he's done those (up step, and through water up & down slope) enough times to be bored and blasé about it, ask him to step down the little step, from a halt then a walk. wait calmly, be firm and absolutely clear & consistent, don't let him turn away, just keep asking... and wait for him to go. get someone to lead him if absolutely necessary, oh, and hold on to mane in case he launches when he does go, some do!
once he's done it a few times, i'd go off and do other stuff, then come back to water and go up step first, then down again.
 
I have been though this and come out of the other end. I make sure I ride through every single puddle out hacking. I will even have a discussion about it if needs be. I get even more cheerful if there is a slight slope with a puddle! Kerbs with puddles are quite good. They have to learn to trust you and go forwards so puddles are a great way to reinforce this message.

At a xc course I work them hard on 10m circles then stand in the water and chill with a pat and a loose rein. I do the same again and then back in the water to chill with a pat. I would then progress to the smallest step and be insistent even if I have to sit there for several hours but if you have done all your homework I find it takes no time to get them in but they are not allowed to turn away, lots of vocal, leg and praise when they move forwards.

I then do it over and over again and leave it when they are confident. I then go to every xc in the area!!

I had one who was adamant he would not go in off a step - 2nd time I went much better prepared with lunge rein and lunge whip and he went straight away having done a lot of homework and asking differently.
 
another with a waterphobic who has come out the other side! As K suggests only ask him to do steps once he's confident in the water- by using the slopes in and out and also stepping out of the water up the step. also, its probably worth doing some work up and down normal steps without water so he's really confident. when i go XC schooling the first thing i do (before i even canter) is have a good walk round and walk in and out of the water and up and down some little steps (both water ones and normal ones)- i think this helps to encourage the horse that water is nothing to worry about. if he stops i will ask politely that he goes forwards. if he ignores me i wait about 30 secs and then ask again...ad infinitum until he goes in. if he spins/backs up i will PC kick him very hard and spin him on a small circle and really growl at him (so that he associates the spinning/backing up with bad things and the going in with good things!) patience is the key!
when he was really worried as a baby i actually got off and jumped down the step myself- he followed me very quickly- only problem was i got a bit wet!
 
Thanks everyone, lots of good advice there :) I will try and take him cross country schooling again soon so we can practise all these things, anyone know anywhere in the south east with a good water complex? Parwood is my local venue (have not been there yet though) so not sure what the water there is like. Would love to get this sorted before next season, he is fine with normal steps he just doesn't like causing a big splash and getting himself wet!
 
good advice already above, but to add, the willingness to get your own feet wet, or to have a trusted helper (ideally one the horse already knows/ trusts) to get their feet wet is just so very helpful. I don't think I'd have got one of mine going down a step into water without this..... and you may have to repeat the process on several times/ several occasions until the horse has built up his trust.

You're probably not a million miles from me if Parwood is local to you (though I've still not been to Parwood - but I keep meaning to!). Let me know if ever you fancy a schooling buddy out XC, as I often end up going on my own (or with my reluctant OH) and its always nicer to have a buddy. I also have regular lessons with Lucy Thompson and Parwood wouldn't be too far away for her to come to......
 
Thanks Kelpie, I will definately bear you in mind, would be good to have someone to school with, I normally drag my dad along although he is not very horsey and probably much like your other half would much rather stay at home!
 
I think it was Rosiefan who said they were told to soak their water-reluctant horse's legs before he went in the water. That was for one that didn't like going in at all, but it might be worth a shot, perhaps doing his stomach as well if it's the splashing that bothers him. (Although, given the weather, you wouldn't catch me splashing around in the water. . . ;) )
 
Its a shame I don't live nearer you OP coz my boy just loves water, can't get enough of it, and yours could follow him.

Dunno if there's another horse near you that WILL jump into water OK? Maybe it would help yours to follow, as in Jump Cross or something?

Or (dare I say it) a good day's hunting where there's plenty of water obstacles might just do the trick? Its what they do in Ireland .......
 
if you do have someone try to lead him in on foot, just be careful because sometimes the wary horse will fling itself sideways off even a tiny step... someone on foot really is my last resort for this reason!
as said above, load of puddles, basically ANYWHERE to get his feet wet, repeatedly, until he starts believing that you'll never ask him to jump into a bottomless pit!
 
Get off and get in the water. Go down the step and in to the water.

Sounds mad but worked with mine.

Tried having a lead with another horse, tried having me on board and Mum with lunge line in the water.

No, not having it.

So instructor told me to get off and get in the water.

And in he went!

Obviously thought if it's ok for me, it's ok for him.
 
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