I really dont know what to do!!

[pony_person_mee]

Basically, i have a 5 year old connemara who before i bought him had done nothing but hunt in Ireland so hes pretty much a machine cross country!

Since i bought him we have done lots of dressage and showjumping and i am planning to event him he has his first BE80 next Saturday! BUT....a few months ago we bought him a new saddle, the saddler said it fitted fine but it has got progressively worse and now it doesn't even stay still on his back! :/ we have got a new saddle to try on him which fits AMAZINGLY! his flat work is 100x better in it, the problem is he has started refusing cross country! and when i show jumped him the other day he was just jumping through some of the jumps, which isnt like him at all! he started doing this a couple of weeks ago with his old saddle on so i dont think its the saddle, hes also had his teeth and back checked recently with no problems so i dont know what to do! i also dont know how to prepare him for his competition next saturday, how many times should i jump before without over jumping him? i dont know if i have explained this very well....i am just so confused!

any help would be appreciated
x

 

[Echo Bravo]

Get his eyesight checked.

 

[be positive]

He probably felt uncomfortable for a while in the old saddle but kept going because he is a good pony.
He then may have lost a little confidence ,so now needs to regain it.I would just go back to basics do some grid work this week ,dont overdo it just enough to get him enjoying himself.
If you can have a lesson during the week your instructor should be able to help make sure everything is going well for the BE80.
Dont get too worried i am sure you will get him going again.

 

[Carlosmum]

what about his feet? My boy always refuses if the ground is too hard. Its been so dry in places its like concrete, obviously if you're show-jumping on a surface this wont be a problem but at an event you'll be dealing with what ever going you're given on the day.