Napping in the start box

[flutterby321]

I'm 15 years old and have recently moved up from a smaller, novice plodder to an experienced competition pony. I've always loved cross country, and have recently started competing. However, although my horse is a star around the rest of the course, I CANNOT get him to leave the start box!
He's so reluctant to go, that he refuses to jump, which is very unlike him, so we usually get eliminated. However, by the 5th jump he has got into a rhythm and behaves like an angel.
I know he can do the height I'm asking him to do, as I've jumped a lot larger with him, so I'm reluctant to try a smaller class. And I know he has competed very successfully in XC with his past owner.
Any advice on persuading him to go?

 

[rotters13]

Could you try him in a pairs class with another horse? I assume he's fine when you're xc schooling? It might be worth timing in so that you canter straight from the warm up area through the start box.

 

[wizzi901]

My little chap is like this, so I always request to stay in warm up area or outside box, I then get them to count down, get him moving and literally pass through start box as near to count down as I can.

If I go anywhere start box as I tried at Cricklands a month or so ago, he gets soooo wound up we end up nearly jumping the rails of the box!!

Try asking the stewards if you can remain outside the box, keep him moving and then ask them to count you down a minute in advance so you can pass through start box whilst still moving!!

 

[flutterby321]

[ QUOTE ]
Could you try him in a pairs class with another horse? I assume he's fine when you're xc schooling? It might be worth timing in so that you canter straight from the warm up area through the start box.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've done pairs before, and he went perfectly. We also do lots of Pony Club, and when we do cross country as a group he behaves. I'm not sure if he's actually afraid, or if he's just misbehaving, as I've only had him for 3 months.

 

[rotters13]

I would think then it was a nervous thing. Do you hack alone a lot?

 

[flutterby321]

[ QUOTE ]
My little chap is like this, so I always request to stay in warm up area or outside box, I then get them to count down, get him moving and literally pass through start box as near to count down as I can.

If I go anywhere start box as I tried at Cricklands a month or so ago, he gets soooo wound up we end up nearly jumping the rails of the box!!

Try asking the stewards if you can remain outside the box, keep him moving and then ask them to count you down a minute in advance so you can pass through start box whilst still moving!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks, next time we go out I'll try to get a flying start. Maybe if he's going really forwards he won't be as reluctant.

 

[flutterby321]

We hack out alone often, and he doesn't mind leaving the yard. I've also tried hacking out in a group, and riding off by myself, and he doesn't care. So I'm getting kind of frustrated, as there doesn't seem to be an obvious reasong for it.

 

[kerilli]

i agree with that, standing still in the box can make their brains boil! i had a friend whose very experienced horse would go crazy in the start box, jumped out of the back of it into the car park once!
i would keep circling around as calmly as you can, in either walk or trot (whichever he will settle best at) and only go into the box (through the side entrance!) on "3" or "2", it really does take only 2 secs to walk or trot through the box and away.
hope that helps, it's always worked for me.
edited to add: just read your last post, don't forget that when he's competing, he KNOWS what's coming so he'll get v excited about it, he has adrenalin pumping etc etc, he won't have that out on a hack (usually), so distracting him before you go through the start box, by circling, making him bend and counterbend, even singing a little song so that you stay calm (i know that sounds crazy but it helps!) is really worthwhile.

 

[flutterby321]

[ QUOTE ]
i agree with that, standing still in the box can make their brains boil! i had a friend whose very experienced horse would go crazy in the start box, jumped out of the back of it into the car park once!
i would keep circling around as calmly as you can, in either walk or trot (whichever he will settle best at) and only go into the box (through the side entrance!) on "3" or "2", it really does take only 2 secs to walk or trot through the box and away.
hope that helps, it's always worked for me.

[/ QUOTE ]


okay, thanks for the advice

 

[jennystreek]

agree with Kerilli - I have one that is the same, and it would be a fatal error to let her stand still for even a split second!!

I try to avoid going over too early to the box, and keep her on the bit listening to me, walking in circles, changing direction etc. You can usually feel when they are about to errupt (she does tend to start bronching if really bad), and before that happens, quickly change direction, or do something else to distract them. I always wait until the starter is on '5' before entering the box, and then walk in calmly and then start.

good luck

 

[MagicMelon]

Has this pony got a history of doing this do you know? You say he's experienced so I assume this is a new problem in which case hopefully you can get him out of it.

I had a horse who did exactly this, was horrendous between the start box and fence 1, he would nap like hell, be rearing etc. for literally 5 mins and then suddenly something would click in his brain and he'd go forwards and motor round the course clear!! It was bizarre and extremely frustrating as he was the boldest horse XC who would jump anything. However, I found out that horse had done it with the previous owner as well so it was a very deep routed problem which I never managed to solve. He was sold to a lovely hacking / dressage type home!

 

[AnShanDan]

Reading all the replies I'd agree that you need to defuse the situation at the start as much as poss. and keep him calm, then time going into the box.
I also think that 3 months isn't long at all and you will prob. find as you get to know each other more he will really start to trust you and the napping will disappear. It is a natural reaction to the comp. excitement and a slight lack of confidence in the rider.
The adrenalin fries their brains and they can't think straight so just revert to insinct = stay with the herd!!!
We had a pony which would stand vertical in the box if you went in too soon and had to stand for any length of time. Be careful that you stay in walk through the box, flying starts are normally not allowed!
Good luck.

 

[kerilli]

flying starts are allowed as long as you don't go out of the front before "Go", and tbh most starters will forgive 1 second either way (not that i intend to try it.)
at LD recently quite a few riders trotted or cantered through the box (missing the upright with their leg by an inch, braver than me, i only walk through!) so it is definitely allowed.

 

[kick_On]

i have to do flying starts, at count on 4 secs i go into box and GO! - if not mine will jump start or turn himself inside out!!

 

[cavalo branco]

Agree with all the advice above, I did the same with my nappy mare. With her, I also had to really get her thinking forward so no stopping to chat with friends etc. I took her for a good fast canter just as I got called then straight through the box and away, mean business!! Hope it helps and good luck!!

 

[AnShanDan]

I've never looked up the rules, but my son was given a penalty at an event for doing exactly this. He was told by the BE steward on the day that it was for the safety of the starters, and I quite agree! So I have always thought that walking is fine, even maybe starting to trot, but any faster was not allowed.
I didn't question it at the time, but just made sure that he knew that you shouldn't canter throught the start! Maybe they were wrong that day.

 

[SpottedCat]

[ QUOTE ]
I've never looked up the rules, but my son was given a penalty at an event for doing exactly this. He was told by the BE steward on the day that it was for the safety of the starters, and I quite agree! So I have always thought that walking is fine, even maybe starting to trot, but any faster was not allowed.
I didn't question it at the time, but just made sure that he knew that you shouldn't canter throught the start! Maybe they were wrong that day.

[/ QUOTE ]

Nope, they are right - it is slower than canter only or you run the risk of being penalised.

Rule is (part iii being the applicable one):

4.31 Starting
i. The start box will be approximately 5m square. It will have an open front and must have entry from a gap on one or both sides of about 2m through which competitors may enter. The gap(s) will be protected to prevent injury. The start box will be marked with a red and white flag at the front;
ii. Time is counted from the moment that the start signal is given or when the nose of the starting horse crosses the start line, whichever is the earlier;
iii. Any horse which is ridden through the gap in the start box at a canter, or faster, may be disqualified on the grounds that the Rider was guilty of inappropriate riding;
iv. The starter will count down from five before the start signal;
v. If the Competitor has not crossed the start line after 1 minute from being given the signal to start, he will be eliminated. Assistance within the start box is permitted up to the start signal being given. Thereafter it is treated as unauthorised: Rule 3.03will apply.

I usually walk/trot into the start box as the starter says 5...

 

[kerilli]

ah, that's interesting, thanks SC. must admit, i'd never try to canter through the gap on an angle anyway, i like my kneecaps too much thanks! (and the last time i bashed my knee on a gatepost i passed out from the pain and woke up half a field later, draped round the neck of my sweetly plodding horse...!)
so, no flying starts, guys...!

 

[flutterby321]

No, he never did this with his old rider. However, before we bought him his owner hadn't competed him for about 6 months, as she was riding another horse. So he had been out of the swing of it.
His last rider also used to compete him in spurs, which I'm a bit reluctant do.

 

[flutterby321]

Really? I never knew that.
I don't want to canter into the start box though, since he'll go in fine. It's just the leaving part we have problems with.