Jumping Confidence (or lack thereof)

[!CobsCan!]

I haven't posted on here in a while, but I am having a bit of a wobble and could use some other opinions to whip me into shape! My gem of a cob (who has been mentioned by me here before) has been coming on beautifully. Really honest, clever and willing person and she has been overall a joy to work with. Her dressage has been coming on leaps and bounds and I am very pleased with that. However, our jumping has been slowly sliding downhill. She learnt quickly, and improved rapidly, but recently everything seems to be going wrong. Before she would pop 85s 90s with no bother, now we are struggling at 70s. She has the scope, there is no question about that but we lack confidence and technique I think. She never flat out stops, but very frequently runs out or scrambles over the jump after really standing off it. The other day we had a really bad lesson where she ran out at nearly every jump, but would go over it the second or third time. I'm at my wits end and get off after every jumping session feeling ready to cry and so frustrated. What am I doing wrong?? She used to be so gutsy and very honest when it comes to jumping and absolutely loved it, but now we both hate it. Sorry for the manuscript of a post, really needed to get that off my chest. Huge thanks to anyone who has read this far!!!

 

[teapot]

What’s her canter like?

 

[!CobsCan!]

What’s her canter like?

In general, it can be quite flat and rushed. While jumping, I have noticed in particular she disunites on approach to the fence and either rushes towards it or loses all power and crawls towards it

 

[ponynutz]

I'd definitely focus on her canter in that case but I don't think that's likely to be the only root of the problem.

Was there a bad experience you two had together? Or one she had by herself in the field, for example? Doesn't have to be a big thing, could just be the original stop and your reaction to it.

Your reaction after and now might not be helping either if you're anxious about it. It sounds like you two have grown together and therefore she probably places a lot of trust in you and your emotions.

I don't think it's your fault or anything to worry about but might be worth thinking about!

 

[!CobsCan!]

I'd definitely focus on her canter in that case but I don't think that's likely to be the only root of the problem.

Was there a bad experience you two had together? Or one she had by herself in the field, for example? Doesn't have to be a big thing, could just be the original stop and your reaction to it.

Your reaction after and now might not be helping either if you're anxious about it. It sounds like you two have grown together and therefore she probably places a lot of trust in you and your emotions.

I don't think it's your fault or anything to worry about but might be worth thinking about!

Thank you for your kind words, they are much appreciated. We have had one nasty fall, a dodgy distance ended in us both hitting the ground, but we were both lucky enough to walk away unscathed and that was a few months before the issues started. Recently she came in from field very muddy (uncharacteristic for her) and we had a very dodgy jumping lesson. That is when the issues really seemed to show themselves. I was wondering if she had slipped in the field and hurt herself, so gave her a few days off and then she jumped beautifully at a competition. We have also just begun working in an outline so could sore muscles from that be interfering? We'll definitely work on her canter, and thank you again for your reply

 

[ponynutz]

Thank you for your kind words, they are much appreciated. We have had one nasty fall, a dodgy distance ended in us both hitting the ground, but we were both lucky enough to walk away unscathed and that was a few months before the issues started. Recently she came in from field very muddy (uncharacteristic for her) and we had a very dodgy jumping lesson. That is when the issues really seemed to show themselves. I was wondering if she had slipped in the field and hurt herself, so gave her a few days off and then she jumped beautifully at a competition. We have also just begun working in an outline so could sore muscles from that be interfering? We'll definitely work on her canter, and thank you again for your reply

That's okay - I can imagine it's frustrating for you

Perhaps a situation in the field on the day you describe triggered the response to the jumps but the actual 'trauma' (can horses have trauma? lol) came from the original situation.

I wouldn't think it's sore muscles but I've never actively produced anything just grew with my own pony from age 10 upwards so know how attached you do get to each other when you bring something up!

Do you have an instructor? This is a bit out of my pay grade in terms of solving the problem to be honest but might be worth having a chat with someone more knowledgeable like an instructor who could work with you and give you some tips to prevent it getting worse.

Good luck!

 

[Dontforgetaboutme]

I did a really good exercise yesterday in my lesson. It was just a small upright on the centre line but I had to approach on a diagonal line on both reins. I am a bit wimpy but this got me to concentrate more on the approach & turns rather than the jump and gave me confidence that she’d jump even on some less than perfect lines. Dropping down the height for a few sessions might give you both a bit of a boost

 

[!CobsCan!]

That's okay - I can imagine it's frustrating for you

Perhaps a situation in the field on the day you describe triggered the response to the jumps but the actual 'trauma' (can horses have trauma? lol) came from the original situation.

I wouldn't think it's sore muscles but I've never actively produced anything just grew with my own pony from age 10 upwards so know how attached you do get to each other when you bring something up!

Do you have an instructor? This is a bit out of my pay grade in terms of solving the problem to be honest but might be worth having a chat with someone more knowledgeable like an instructor who could work with you and give you some tips to prevent it getting worse.

Good luck!

That does make sense, thank you! Will definitely have a chat with instructor ASAP!

 

[Cowpony]

Did you have a vet look at her after you think she may have fallen in the field? Going disunited or changing legs frequently in canter may be a sign of sacro-iliac pain. The only time my very honest mare refuses jumps is when it's time for another sacro-iliac injection!

 

[Tarragon]

Did you have a vet look at her after you think she may have fallen in the field? Going disunited or changing legs frequently in canter may be a sign of sacro-iliac pain. The only time my very honest mare refuses jumps is when it's time for another sacro-iliac injection!

I was thinking the same.
Plus, lack of confidence can be a downward spiral for you both. So, perhaps get the vet in to rule out pain, and then go back to basics with a good instructor.

 

[!CobsCan!]

We did have a vet give her a once over and no issues were found. We have just had a new saddle fitted so my plan is to see if that makes a difference and will have a chat with our lovely vet about what may be causing her any discomfort. I've had a chat with my instructor and once all pain or discomfort has been ruled out we'll go right back to basics. Thank you all for your help!!!

 

[Flying_Form]

I haven't posted on here in a while, but I am having a bit of a wobble and could use some other opinions to whip me into shape! My gem of a cob (who has been mentioned by me here before) has been coming on beautifully. Really honest, clever and willing person and she has been overall a joy to work with. Her dressage has been coming on leaps and bounds and I am very pleased with that. However, our jumping has been slowly sliding downhill. She learnt quickly, and improved rapidly, but recently everything seems to be going wrong. Before she would pop 85s 90s with no bother, now we are struggling at 70s. She has the scope, there is no question about that but we lack confidence and technique I think. She never flat out stops, but very frequently runs out or scrambles over the jump after really standing off it. The other day we had a really bad lesson where she ran out at nearly every jump, but would go over it the second or third time. I'm at my wits end and get off after every jumping session feeling ready to cry and so frustrated. What am I doing wrong?? She used to be so gutsy and very honest when it comes to jumping and absolutely loved it, but now we both hate it. Sorry for the manuscript of a post, really needed to get that off my chest. Huge thanks to anyone who has read this far!!!

You’re probably both a little bit out of practice from where you may have been before and that’s okay! Your past experience shows you both can do it!! If you have to start small - do some decent sized cross poles so she actually has to jump, and get a good forward canter to it, but half halt on your approach to avoid rushing. If she rushes - circle. A forward canter does not mean rushed or ploughing to the jump, it’s a canter with impulsion and strength and power and once you have that canter established it’s very unlikely she’ll scramble over it. If she does still - try some grids to get her picking up those feet and using herself correctly over the jump. Grids can also be a huge confidence giver to the rider as it sets both the horse and the rider up a bit more than a course of fences - maybe mention it to your instructor! The running out and stopping may also be due to a lack of power in the canter, as well she may sense your hesitation. When you’re approaching that fence be determined and want to do it because the second you doubt yourself she’ll doubt herself too! I am always surprised at how much horses sense things like that but they do - trust me.

 

[Lyle]

If you want to work on this at home at your own pace, I would 110% recommend getting Jim Woffard's "modern Gymnastics: Systematic training for the jumping horse" and starting at exercise one. Continue to work on the flat to improve her strength and adjustability, but follow the jumping exercises. You will both build up your own judgment and timing, and she will build her technique and strength. Sometimes it's not a matter of simply trying to stop a horse rushing, but instead scaffolding the training so the horse 'knows' the best way to approach a jump with confidence, basically eliminating the rushing as a result. Jim provides detailed descriptions of the exercises and how you need to approach jumping.

 

[!CobsCan!]

Thank you both, will definitely give your suggestions a try!!

 

[Sossigpoker]

Refusing and disuniting would indicate pain to me so I would have a vet check for sure. I'd suspect hocks and /or SI.

 

[Mari]

I too lack confidence. I was ok with my home bred horse that just needed me to keep him straight, remember the course & he did the rest. I now have a green rescue pony Welsh D that needs me to be more confident ! Aargh! He is better in Canter. I know the Canter should be a bouncy Canter with jump. At the moment I’m just happy with any Canter & my steering often goes awry but my mantra is - sit up don’t hang on & kick.

 

[I'm Dun]

I'd want a physio to give her a good going over. If the vet didn't find anything then she might just be sore or tight. Did the issue start before the new saddle?

 

[!CobsCan!]

Refusing and disuniting would indicate pain to me so I would have a vet check for sure. I'd suspect hocks and /or SI.[/QUOTE

While the vet is here, is there anything else you'd recommend checking aswell as hocks and SI? Thanks!!

 

[!CobsCan!]

I'd want a physio to give her a good going over. If the vet didn't find anything then she might just be sore or tight. Did the issue start before the new saddle?

No, the issue started well before the new saddle. The new saddle hasn't seemed to made a huge difference, so vet and physio is next step I think!

 

[Sossigpoker]

I'd tell them of this behaviour and adj them to assess the horse for lameness. Hocks and SI often cause this kind of behaviour but it could of course be something else, or hopefully nothing !