*sobs* My horse isnt fixed

madhector

madhector

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Took Jerry back to NH today to see if all our hard work had paid off, with the plan of doing a BN there on Thursday.

He warmed up beautifully for the 85cm, jumping calmly and carefully. We went in very hopeful for a nice sensible round, he went straight through the first fence, then proceeded to cat leap, or steeplechase everything else. Any contact on his mouth and the head came up, only had 8 faults though which was surprising!

Warmed up for the 95cm, and he was occasionally OK, but mostly awful. Went in as thought we mights as well, and he started OK, first and second wernt too bad, came up to no.3 and he jumped sideways a few strides out so I corrected him with my leg (leaving the head well alone) So he jumped sideways some more, coming face to face with the wing, which he then jumped, and cleared by a good foot
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he then proceeded to demolish the rest of the course, I couldn't do anything, it was awful.

I don't know why I bother, spent the last month working so hard and really thought we had fixed our issues, but obviously not
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I give up, don't think I have any more strength in me to keep on fighting. My trainer said i should still go on Thursday and just do the clear round, but I really don't know if I can face it
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Oh no - I think you have tried everything except taking him out lots and lots and lots - so I'd be inclined to take him on Thurs.

Big hugs from me - I fought for 2 years with a mare who was talented but didn't want to play so you have my sympathies.
 
Bummer.
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I've said before - I really don't think he looks up to doing BN level... but i guess your trainer knows best?

Still think lots of small courses to get him going.
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oh no thats not good, your not having much luck at the mo r u!! only thing could say without knowing much about the work you have put in is, lots of gridwork???, we all go through rough parts with horses n tend to forget the good things we have achieved!! dont give up!!!
 
Sorry.
Stop all competitions and take time at home, get it really established then hire a course and do it a bit at a time. I think he panics. He is still young and they all develope at a different age.
 
But he was perfect at Gt W, and at the Jays, I have been working so hard on improving him, and he has been going so well. Both times he jumped this week at home he was amazing, and then it all goes to pot.

Dont think will be doing any more comps anyway I couldnt face it.
 
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The height with him is irrelevant. He was jumping 3ft 6 at home perfectly, both trainers said he is capable and the smaller stuff just makes him even sillier.

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Well take him round a new comers then - but I very much doubt you'd get the results you want.

For whatever reason he is not happy jumping at competitions - I'd go smaller rather than bigger.
 
I dont think that would be sensible
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What I am saying is anything really small isnt worth bothering with. He went round the 2ft 9 at GtW beautifully, and did the 2ft9 at the jays really nicely too. so it isnt a hieght thing. I wont go higher than that at the moment as no point til it is working. but jumping any smaller with him wouldnt help his attitude.
 
Honey, I feel for you I really do.
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There is obviously something that Jerry doesn't like about being indoors. I think you have one of 2 choices, you either give up on him and sell him as a hunter/team chase etc OR you battle on, take him indoors every week until he shuts up. Hire a school, work him in it and jump him if he settles nicely. I know he has been indoors to do dressage and he's been ok, so it must just be the jumping. Perhaps he's claustrophobic?
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In any case, I know how frustrated you must feel, so ask yourself if you really do want to carry on with him and if you decide you do, you must stay positive.

Big hugs MH ((((((()))))))))
 
He goes to jumping clinics every other week indoors and is brilliant, never puts a foot wrong. And that is a seriously small space
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I dont know anymore, felt so happy with him in the first warm up, and then it was like he just got p****d off and that was it
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I dont want to give up on him, as he is fantastic XC and the way he jumped that wing.... at least I know he has serious scope
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but getting to the point where my hard work makes no difference what so ever!
 
I agree that it seems to be indorrs that sets him off?

I've said before that he looks like he appreciates the larger space in big outdoor arenas. If I were you I wouldnt go indoors again, theres no real need.

Boss always jumped relatively badly indoors so we just avoided it, there's no need when you're an eventer!!
 
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So he was good at Jays and at Gt W - so take him there again and see what happens before you go back to NH....

(((hugs)))

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Good idea

Want to do more on grass as he definatly finds it easier. The Jays was great, and really thought we were getting somewhere, but might have been the warm weather...will have to take him again and see
 
They are different at shows, tho...

Adrian did a fab jumping lesson last week & was jumping 1 m 20 as if it was nothing at all, did a fab dr lesson yest, then today I ask him to do a BN & he behaves like a total idiot. See report a couple of pages back if you want the gory details...

FWIW, I'm taking him again on Thurs & I'm going to do what I should have done today which is have a good lunge or ride before we leave home.

When A was being worse, I gave up with bsja for a couple of months & took him to really baby stuff so he could trot round calmly. I also booked a course for an hour, & every time he ran at a jump, circled him away & kept him on a circle until he throttled back a bit.

I'm hoping Thurs will be quieter so I can circle away in the warmup without causing chaos. He needs to learn that he is *not* a racehorse.

I know you say that the smaller jumps are pointless - even if they're pointless as jumps, the actual going to a show part & going round calmly in trot would be useful??
 
ok - I see your point then.

If he is a good boy at home then eventually he should be good at shows - he just must be a slow learner!
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Just keep at it with the 2'6'' - 3', he'll get it eventually - surely!
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good luck!!
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Sounds like a confidence crisis to me. Don't forget that young horses can be cocky little know it alls one minute and then fall apart the next. The trick is to get more good moments and less bad. He might be cocky and jump the smaller courses as though they are nothing, but they are all vital for his education - each positive outing however repetitive it might seem is all doing good. He sounds like one not to be rushed. Sounds like he suffered from stage fright today, but the only way to beat it it to keep going. Have you tried him on a calmer to take the edge off?
 
I think at this point I would be wanting to get inside his head a bit - could be there is something at NH that simply freaks him out and at this stage in his life you want to make everything as easy and nice as possible - best of luck
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I agree that it seems to be indorrs that sets him off?

I've said before that he looks like he appreciates the larger space in big outdoor arenas. If I were you I wouldnt go indoors again, theres no real need.

Boss always jumped relatively badly indoors so we just avoided it, there's no need when you're an eventer!!

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That maybe wise, he was great on grass, but is so good at jumping clinics indoors which is odd
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I'd be inclined to stay away from indoor comps and hold out a few weeks until there's more on the grass, he seems to be so much better in the bigger spaces.
 
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They are different at shows, tho...

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SO bloody true - my mare flies round a 1.20m+ course at home without a care in the world, even over new fences/fillers/etc. Wish she would be that consistent out
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[ QUOTE ]
Sounds like a confidence crisis to me. Don't forget that young horses can be cocky little know it alls one minute and then fall apart the next. The trick is to get more good moments and less bad. He might be cocky and jump the smaller courses as though they are nothing, but they are all vital for his education - each positive outing however repetitive it might seem is all doing good. He sounds like one not to be rushed. Sounds like he suffered from stage fright today, but the only way to beat it it to keep going. Have you tried him on a calmer to take the edge off?

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he is on a calmer already, dread to think how bad he would be without it! lol

Thing is today, he wasnt fizzy or strong, warmed up on the flat beautifully, just got into one of his moods and that was it.
 
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I think at this point I would be wanting to get inside his head a bit - could be there is something at NH that simply freaks him out and at this stage in his life you want to make everything as easy and nice as possible - best of luck
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Maybe, I cant think of any other explanation, other than him being a g*t which I would rather not be true
 
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I agree that it seems to be indorrs that sets him off?

I've said before that he looks like he appreciates the larger space in big outdoor arenas. If I were you I wouldnt go indoors again, theres no real need.

Boss always jumped relatively badly indoors so we just avoided it, there's no need when you're an eventer!!

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That maybe wise, he was great on grass, but is so good at jumping clinics indoors which is odd
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But in clinics I doubt there are 15 jumps crammed in with things everywhere to distract and pressure on you both to make tight turns and handle odd distances
 
Haven't been following your story, but even using the word "fixed" in the title suggests you may be under the impression that your problems will be mended over night. I'm sorry to say, but this is rarely the case with any problems!

Your horse is young (?) Therefore, the best fix is going to be practise and experience. Obviously its crucial jumping at home, but try and get experience, if time allows of course, in small clear round competitions or by hiring courses. Even using a friend's arena if they let you allows you to introduce him to different environments and expecting him to cope and perform.

You sound very dejected. "Why bother with the hard work?" Because in time you will feel the rewards! It just takes time. As a baby he will be turning to you for help, hence why you must show confidence, determination and clarity!

If your problems seemed to have been rectified for a while, analysis if anything has changed to cause this regression. Have you changed your tack, feed, riding? Was there no time to walk the course? Was it a new environment? Was it a bigger height that has unnerved him? Basically what I;m saying is try to enter into his mentality.

Good luck. You seem to have a good trainer you trust. If all else fails, perhaps ask him to have a sit on him at a comp. This may show your horse the ropes and give you the confidence that he can do it. Remember to be patient and take your time! It will come!
 
Sorry, when I say fixed, I meant we thought all the issues came from the saddle, which we had altered, and he was fine afterwards, but it obviously wasnt the issue.

I know problems take a long time to sort out, but with J it just seems to be like banging my head against a brick wall.

I just feel like I am getting no where, and maybe it is me, and someone else would manage fine
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