My horse takes advantage of me!

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Hi - I thought I would ask everyone here on their opinions on my issue!
When I go out competing (dressage) my horse completely takes advantage during the dressage test! At home I am able to school him, so he knows he is unable to get away with anything! But when we go out and do dressage tests he becomes quite painful! He is completely fine during the warm-up (even with all the other horses around, he couldnt care less and ignores them all) when we go around the edge of the arena he is mostly fine, but as soon as we actually get into the arena he will pull out every trick in the book so he soesnt have to work properly! He will go around like a giraffe, stick his nose out, be crooked, and is prettty much a pig. Its really frustrating as I know he could be doing really well! Does anyone have any suggestions for me to try, to help our failing dressage :)
 
I was advised to enter a couple of dressage cometitions knowing I would be using them as schooling sessions. I then went in and rode like I did at home complete with telling off etc. Bit embarrassing :eek: but taking te mick really need to be sorted - very frustrating though
 
That might be a good idea, I'll have to find one thats coming up. He is too smart for his own good! He is perfect until the second he puts his foot into the arena and then he becomes a giant pain!
 
Although I believe horses are bright, emotional & intuitive, I don't believe they plot your downfall the way you are suggesting.

Your horse has more likely worked out that when you go into the arena, you get tense & possibly harsh and that it is an unpleasant experience.

Let someone you trust (an instructor) do a test on him and see if he is different in the arena.

The dimensions of an arena are often smaller than the sand schools people work in at home. You may be struggling to cope without realising it. If you haven't already, create an accurately sized arena at home and work in that.
 
siennamum said:
Although I believe horses are bright, emotional & intuitive, I don't believe they plot your downfall the way you are suggesting.

Your horse has more likely worked out that when you go into the arena, you get tense & possibly harsh and that it is an unpleasant experience.

Let someone you trust (an instructor) do a test on him and see if he is different in the arena.

The dimensions of an arena are often smaller than the sand schools people work in at home. You may be struggling to cope without realising it. If you haven't already, create an accurately sized arena at home and work in that.
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Well said. And to add one more thing to the equation, make sure you can work him and then move him away somewhere else to 'do' your test, so you are effectively creating the same situation at home or somewhere else.
 
I used to have similar problems when I went out competing - and I do honestly believe that (in my case anyway) that it was 99% down to my riding, as I tensed up the second I got to the actual arena. I have been going and having regular lessons at my RI yard, which has helped hugely, as it is no longer a big deal when I take my girl out to a comp - we just go out in the lorry and have a ride around somewhere different.

I also use Rescue Remedy if I feel like I am having a bad day - I dose me and my girl, and it really does seem to take the edge of the nerves and help our performance.

I do think that practicing going out to comps is really helpful - I have now managed to get to a place with my girl where I can actually go out and ENJOY (!!!) competing - which is something I never thought I would do!! :)
 
I agree with getting your instructor or confident friend doing a couple of tests and also hiring a few different venues to get the both of you used to doing tests in a variety of settings.
If you do choose to use a test as a schooling session please remember to try to not deviate from the test too much and inform the judge first so that they know what to expect.

Good luck - I'm sure you'll both get there soon.
 
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