I feel guilty...

[bex1984]

After we survived the clear round jumping in the week me and Murphy did a bit of jumping last night. He was doing so well, we were doing a little double with two x poles, gradually increasing the height and eventually I decided we'd put the second one up to about a 2ft straight bar.

That's a bit bigger than we've jumped before but it was all going so well.

Anyway, he paused and I didn't think he was going to jump it, then he cat-leapt it and knocked it with his back legs and I think I probably caught him in his mouth

After that we put it back down but he just kept refusing so it must have upset him - I think it knocked his confidence

He did start jumping again when we went back to little x poles. I feel so guilty, poor pony

I'm a bad mum

Will he remember this bad experience? How can I build his confidence back up?

The good thing is I didn't fall off, in the past I always used to fall off if he refused/ran out

 

[bex1984]

gah...I've ruined him forever haven't I?

 

[Ditzy]

I'm sure he isn't ruined forever! Just go back to a height you feel more comfortable with and build his (and your) confidence back up, once he realises that it was a one off he'll soon be flying over the fences again!

 

[trundle]

he isn't ruined forever ! I was probably more upset about getting the pole caught in his legs than getting a quick jab in the mouth.

Just go back to little x-poles for a bit, and remind him that he CAN jump, and its fun, and is doesn't automatically equal a jab in the mouth, and he'll be fine. You can have another go at bigger jumps when you are both happy with the little ones.

Don't panic !

 

[bex1984]

Thanks both - we'll stick with little x poles for now I think!! He used to refuse jumps all the time, so I'm hoping he won't go back to doing that

He was Ok doing the little x poles at the end though...

 

[dianchi]

If its confidence that needs building i would just pop the odd fence here and there not have long sessions.
Keep it fun and take it slow!