Refusing and wrecking my confidence

Lots of great advice on here but Ijust wanted to say that Seb sounds like a really lovely horse and is willing and happy to do a lot of things some posters on here would like their horses to do. Also wanted share that my15.2 (now retired) was quite a talented jumper but in his mid teens he started rushing his jumps and developed a filthy stop. On the flat he was completely sound and continued competing successfully at dressage until he became increasingly stiff on his near hind. He has arthritis in his hock and I believe his rushing and stopping at fences was due to pain not naughtiness or taking advantage of me. Like others have said, I'd keep him in his comfort zone and continue to enjoy the things he does willingly, he sounds like such a kind horse.
 
misskk88 said:
I think your horse is telling you perfectly that he is not happy at a certain height. I think at 18, and with some existing medical conditions you really need to listen to your horse, that perhaps, given those things that whatever height is enough.

I speak from experience as I bought a green 8 year old who was meant to become my all rounder horse of a lifetime. Perfect horse in everyway, except jumping. Whilst he had no health problems and could easily pop a fence with ease, he just had no confidence, didn't enjoy it, and I didn't enjoy riding him through it. We could come out one day, jump a small course perfectly and the next I would have a stop at every fence. Or even in a lesson, pop a jump, come to do it again and he would put in a dirty stop. I was confident riding him, but I didn't see the point of the battle every single time we went to jump and the risk of ruining our partnership, so after several falls, and MANY refusals, I called it a day. He is perfectly happy being a dressage diva- so all is good!

Yes you could make him (and I could have continued to make my horse too). Yes, you could battle with him, and no 18 isn't 'old', but why not just enjoy your horse for what he can offer you, what you are both comfortable with and can be successful at? I don't see the point in wrecking both yours and his confidence for the sake of a few centimetres!!! When it comes to getting out and about, you will also be surprised how many adults on bigger horses are also in the smaller classes- everyone starts somewhere, everyone has their reasons i.e learner, riding a youngster, confidence, oldie just getting out having fun etc.

Most certainly, in the meantime, I would also be getting the vet out to check there are no underlying issues of pain (and it could well be given his age/current medical issues). At least then you can rest assured that either yes, the refusals are pain related (personally although I know people do, I wouldn't bute my horse up just to jump, but I would manage pain accordingly to ensure quality of life), or no it isn't and if you do really want to push on, you can with your mind and conscience clear. I would say though that at 18, he is telling you his limits.

I see you plan to get the vet out anyway- so do let us know how it all goes :)
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What a briilant owner your horse has, misskk88! I wish more people would listen to what their horses are trying to tell them and actually think about what life is like for a horse. Why do people assume that horses think that human interaction is a benefit to them?
 
Try 101 exercises for jumping [5 are flat exercises], just work through the exercises with small jumps forget anything bigger but try to introduce variety, and as others have said, have someone on the ground to help you though it.
Have a plan before you enter the arena, do your warm up, do your exercises, do your cool down, always finish with something he likes as a "reward"
Keep going along this route for several weeks, so he is not having a tizzy.
There is the possibilty of pain issues, so that needs to be sorted out, but him charging off with you suggests it is may be a control issue.
If I was losing my nerve, I would not try to push him, for my own sake!
 
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I do think that with his side bone issues it is likely that he is telling you he is not happy over a certain height and I think you should respect him for that and let it be.

My ex racehorse has multiple problems, all niggles and can only really be treated using supplements. He is sound, very happy and looks great but he is not happy jumping and so we don't jump. He can jump, does jump, sometimes brilliantly but other days he hates it, so we don't bother anymore. He also is mentally not able to cope with shows or events or clinics, he had a hard career and he is terrified away from home so he stays at home, is a nanny for my 4 year old horse and for my 3 year old daughter and he is very happy.

Horses are not stupid and try very hard to communicate with us how they are feeling, we should as an owner respect them and listen.
 
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