Running Out

E

Ecila

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Joined
14 February 2006
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282
Location
Milton Keynes
www.freewebs.com
I have owned my pony nearly 2 years, shes 5 now. She has never been the best mannered pony in the world but is always told when she is naughty.

She likes jumping but lately wont go over them. I'm the only person who rides and lunges her so i know its nothing thats happened while shes being worked. She would go over anything you asked her to on any rein but lately she just wont jump.

I plan to show her this summer and do a few courses and turn her away over the winter to let her mind settle.

I'm just wondering if you have any ideas of building her confidence back up, she ducks out or just wont go up to the jump at all, either if its up the other end of the school!!

She is strong and is ridden in a Tom Thumb with a flash but she has now learnt how to evade this!! She knaps at the gate lately is her fave game and there is NOTHING i can do about it......
 
How often is she jumped? Could she just be getting bored and need more variety? Have you tried going right back to basics with trotting poles, a small cross pole etc? Has her saddle and back been checked? How are her teeth?
If all of the above have been checked/tried, then mayeb she is just at that age where they like to try it on and see what they can get away with. Important to rule out any problems first tho
 
If you are happy it is not pain, and having moved on to yourself, have determined that your riding is perfect in every way..then consider different schooling and exercises to give your pony confidence to jump without building up stress..so it might be finding a log out hacking when pony is a bit more forward going, it could be flatwork to develop balance and a good quality canter, or introducing lateral work into your flat work to support more impulsion behind.

Be guided by your instructor.
 
Yeah, obviously rule out any pain first. Otherwise, how about giving her a break now? Even just for a month to settle her mind then hopefully she'll come back fresher and more eager? I give mine a 2/3 month break in about October time - does them wonders.
 
Her tack and teeth etc are all done regularly so im sure its not that. She never has coped with free schooling very well she runs at me!!! After lunging i take her over little ones but she walks over it first behind me. I think she may have lost a nerve and interest and found its easier to run out!!! will stick with small ones and see what happens. Trying the little and often so she doesnt think it always means hard work!!

Thanks for your opinions!!!
 
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