Show Jump / Event Cob

[freya123]

I have a little cob mare, about 15hh, 10 years, and although probably gypsy cob is quite sporty and clipped feathers. I was hoping to get her out eventing, however I'm having a bit of a block. She is insane at jumping- has done a 1.35 single fence at home, and I usually school her over some 1m jumps at home. My issue is though that she has never been clear sj- she's one of those that unless the jump is around 70+ or so she won't even bother. I sometimes leave the arena having knocked 8/12 jumps, and the frustrating thing is that it isn't the height as usually she will keep up the back bar etc.

My question is more is this normal? Has anyone had something similar? ATM I'm taking it right back to basics and establishing her flatwork first, but I'm a bit stuck as to what to actually do with her, as she evidently has the jump for it which is the infuriating thing! I've tried doing the 60 class to take her back down but she performs the same as in the 90's, so has anyone had any similar experiences or am I just chasing a lost cause?

Any advice appreciated !

 

[{97702}]

Yes I had a ‘sports cob’ just like this - he was amazing XC and out hunting, but he knew he just didn’t have to bother over show jumps! I was having lessons with an Olympic eventer at the time and he tried everything with the horse....

In the end I sold the horse to a lovely home who wanted to do dressage and showing, he was never going to be an eventer ?

 

[Michen]

So she knocks them whether at 70cm or 90cm? Or doesn't at 90cm as you say if they are not 70cm plus she won't bother?

I'd probably start with a physical MOT before anything else just to rule it out if doing it at any size fence.

Also, I personally wouldn't want to XC or hunt a horse that was THAT careless with showjumps..

 

[freya123]

So she knocks them whether at 70cm or 90cm? Or doesn't at 90cm as you say if they are not 70cm plus she won't bother?

I'd probably start with a physical MOT before anything else just to rule it out if doing it at any size fence.

Also, I personally wouldn't want to XC or hunt a horse that was THAT careless with showjumps..

The annoying thing is she is fine xc! Granted I've only taken her once and a while ago, however she did a couple of novice fences and had no refusals. She will 7/10 times knock them if below 70, its only about 70+ that she will start to pick up more. She's had back, teeth, saddle and chiropractor all done and was all okay

 

[be positive]

So she knocks them whether at 70cm or 90cm? Or doesn't at 90cm as you say if they are not 70cm plus she won't bother?

I'd probably start with a physical MOT before anything else just to rule it out if doing it at any size fence.

Also, I personally wouldn't want to XC or hunt a horse that was THAT careless with showjumps..

Pretty much my thoughts, I will add a bit more as it can just be a poor technique often caused by rushing, not necessarily jumping fast but being tense in the air so unable to take the time required to jump cleanly, so getting a really good trainer involved may prove useful to help either with improving her technique or if not likely to be possible for some reason can help you change your aims for her, that may mean selling and buying one that can do the job and letting her go to a home where she will be better suited, having an outside view can be extremely helpful.

 

[TheMule]

Why are you jumping 70cm on a horse jumping 1m? There seems little point. I'm all for gymnastics exercises and using cavaletti, but if the horse is not using itself over tiny fences and is capable, put the fences up?

 

[freya123]

Why are you jumping 70cm on a horse jumping 1m? There seems little point. I'm all for gymnastics exercises and using cavaletti, but if the horse is not using itself over tiny fences and is capable, put the fences up?

I think that a large part of it is my confidence, at home I'm fine however at shows anything above 85 I get nervous and tend to mess up striding, and with her not being a clean jumper it scares me that one day she may have a bad knock and fall (although touch wood she is balanced enough to not trip on the poles), and I feel as though I need to get her to be able to go clear round 70's first before attempting the bigger stuff I guess?

 

[be positive]

Why are you jumping 70cm on a horse jumping 1m? There seems little point. I'm all for gymnastics exercises and using cavaletti, but if the horse is not using itself over tiny fences and is capable, put the fences up?

There is a point, if the horse has not really learned the job and the rider is not overly experienced they need to get miles on the clock at smaller heights before going on to higher courses, most horses can jump a 1m fence but many would not get round a course of 70 cm clear and confidently.

Last year I started training a horse and rider who I was told could jump 1.30 , which they could badly, we went back to basics, worked on their technique, increased the riders education and experience over 60-70cm, which he thought was 'beneath him', it was worthwhile, the horse has improved in technique, can now jump through distances on a level stride and has gained some much needed miles on the clock, the situation needs to be assessed in full by someone who can see what is going on, there may be a minor tweak to be made that could make a huge difference.

 

[greenbean10]

Horses are generally either careful or they're not - she doesn't sound careful but knocking down 75% of the jumps is a whole new level!

Agree with what others have said. How is her technique, does she normally hit them with her front legs or backend? If backend it's more likely to be a lost cause. Much easier to train the front to pick up. Do short grids so she can practice getting her legs up (get a trainer if you don't have one already)

How experienced are you? Are you generally meeting the fence in the right spot or are you regularly too far off or deep? It shouldn't matter at that height but if you keep missing and that's when she has them down it might be worth doing some exercises to help improve your eye.

 

[freya123]

thanks for the help! Tends to be front end, and admittedly a lot of is it down to striding as I have a habit of freezing a couple of strides before a jump causing her to get deep! Do you have any exercises that may help? Thanks!

 

[shortstuff99]

If it is pretty much always the front knocking down then that is probably a rider issue (sorry!) Has another rider ever jumped her? If so what is she like for them?

Otherwise I would recommend a lot of grid work with a good instructor.

 

[greenbean10]

thanks for the help! Tends to be front end, and admittedly a lot of is it down to striding as I have a habit of freezing a couple of strides before a jump causing her to get deep! Do you have any exercises that may help? Thanks!

Okay good this definitely makes it less of a lost cause and gives you things to work on!

Front end you can definitely work on to get her neater. I'd do lots of bounces and other gymnastic exercises, you can do these a couple of times a week and keep the fences really small. V poles can also encourage them to make a better shape.

Re. getting a better stride. A good exercise to try could be to have a few canter poles leading up to a fence - perhaps one that she might normally have down like a small upright. Have at least 3 canter poles leading up to this, and just sit quietly on your way in without worrying about the stride. These poles should put you on the perfect spot and stop her running too deep - you'll also be able to see how much of the issue is you and how much is just her being lazy/not careful if that makes sense Can then help you to get a good shot in when you remove the poles.

If she's regularly running too deep I am not surprised she's hitting it with her front legs. I'd work on having a bigger, more forward canter and keep travelling towards the jump. Practise with just poles on the floor so you're not nervous. Get a strong canter and just keep coming! Counting your rhythm can also help with getting a better stride towards the jump - but it mainly just takes practice!

Also if you are regularly getting a bad shot and she is still going (just having it down) then this is still a really positive thing. It's much worse when you're jumping at low levels to have a horse that's so careful it will stop if you're not spot on.

Hope some of that helps a little!

 

[freya123]

Okay good this definitely makes it less of a lost cause and gives you things to work on!

Front end you can definitely work on to get her neater. I'd do lots of bounces and other gymnastic exercises, you can do these a couple of times a week and keep the fences really small. V poles can also encourage them to make a better shape.

Re. getting a better stride. A good exercise to try could be to have a few canter poles leading up to a fence - perhaps one that she might normally have down like a small upright. Have at least 3 canter poles leading up to this, and just sit quietly on your way in without worrying about the stride. These poles should put you on the perfect spot and stop her running too deep - you'll also be able to see how much of the issue is you and how much is just her being lazy/not careful if that makes sense Can then help you to get a good shot in when you remove the poles.

If she's regularly running too deep I am not surprised she's hitting it with her front legs. I'd work on having a bigger, more forward canter and keep travelling towards the jump. Practise with just poles on the floor so you're not nervous. Get a strong canter and just keep coming! Counting your rhythm can also help with getting a better stride towards the jump - but it mainly just takes practice!

Also if you are regularly getting a bad shot and she is still going (just having it down) then this is still a really positive thing. It's much worse when you're jumping at low levels to have a horse that's so careful it will stop if you're not spot on.

Hope some of that helps a little!

Thank you SO much for this reply, has really raised my hopes as I really did think I was just running round in circles! Will try some of these exercises as it is mainly uprights I struggle with, but unfortunately she is too honest for her own good and I can count the amount of times she's stopped on one hand in the last few years ! Once agin thank you the advice is much appreciated

 

[freya123]

If it is pretty much always the front knocking down then that is probably a rider issue (sorry!) Has another rider ever jumped her? If so what is she like for them?

Otherwise I would recommend a lot of grid work with a good instructor.

Nope not had another rider jump her as nobody wants to aha! I think that they think she is a bit of a lost cause !

 

[greenbean10]

Thank you SO much for this reply, has really raised my hopes as I really did think I was just running round in circles! Will try some of these exercises as it is mainly uprights I struggle with, but unfortunately she is too honest for her own good and I can count the amount of times she's stopped on one hand in the last few years ! Once agin thank you the advice is much appreciated

You're welcome! She sounds very honest Yes definitely start working on those things and let us know how you get on.