Spooky jumper - any advice?

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katie_and_toto

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Have hit a bit of a brick wall, Toto will virtually jump anything at home, nothing really seems to bother him. But, at shows he seems very unconfident and spooky, like 2 weeks ago I took him to a show to do 2ft jumping, and we had 12 faults, but after stopping once he did go over the 3 fences he didn't like. Today I took him to do clear round jumping at the same show, same fences but a bit smaller, the fillers slightly to the side. He was a bit tentative but jumped round clear. Went in to do one more round over the same course as last time, and he spooked at the same fences as he did at the show. Now I'm not cross with him at all becuase he's not being naughty, he's just unconfident and when he spooks he ducks a shoulder and runs out very very quickly so it's difficult to catch him before he does it.
Now the obvious thing to do is take him places like hiring jumping arenas etc. but have done it twice and he jumped everything fine and didn't look at a thing. He just seems to be very unpredictable, in the sense that one day he'll be fine, another he'll be very unconfident. Took him to a show at the end of last year and he jumped everything no problem.
To be fair we're a lot better than we used to be, we once got eliminated at the 2nd fence because I didn't use enough leg. I used to just sit there like a melon, I now am more confident and make sure I have my leg on and use voice encouragement, which helps a lot but he seems to go towards the fence and then opt out at the last stride.
So, any ideas as to help me keep him straight when he ducks a shoulder to spook? And any good fillers/spooky fence ideas to jump at home?
I was going to book a jumping lesson with a good instructor but I don't think there's much point really as he's not like that at home at all. Am going to take him xc schooling soon to get him over some new fences.

Sorry for the essay!
Does that make him sound like a nightmare? Nahh I love him to pieces really and I'm not angry with him at all, in case it sounds like that! I just want to help him learn that the fences will not eat him! :rolleyes:
 
Hmm, maybe if you got abit 'tough' with him, not as in hit him everytime he runs out, but maybe if you can feel him backing off, try growling at him, or even a light tap, bigger nudge of the leg to remind him he has to jump it, & not be scared.

I no its tricky if the horse is scared itself, as this can make the situation worse by getting abit 'you will jump this fence type thing', maybe making the jumps smalled, or try using poles on the jumps to form a tube type look so its less obvious for him to run out, a litttle trick aswell, try not to fold/take a forward seat to early, a horse i ride will throw you off if i took a forward seat a stride before the jump!

You could also take him to lots of clear round showjumping, or even to different instructor venues for a lesson.

You probably know all this advice anyway, so im sorry if my advice seems patronising, it isnt at all!
 
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ilvpippa said:
Hmm, maybe if you got abit 'tough' with him, not as in hit him everytime he runs out, but maybe if you can feel him backing off, try growling at him, or even a light tap, bigger nudge of the leg to remind him he has to jump it, & not be scared.
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I did try the growly thing today, it worked over the diddy fences with the fillers to the side but not when the fillers went under :rolleyes: It's just so hard as he doesn't back off at all, he just seems to change his mind last minute and decide actually it's too scarey, and ducks out on the last stride or a few strides away :confused: So it's really hard to tell when he's gonna jump and when he's not :rolleyes: Very confusing pony!

ilvpippa said:
I no its tricky if the horse is scared itself, as this can make the situation worse by getting abit 'you will jump this fence type thing', maybe making the jumps smalled, or try using poles on the jumps to form a tube type look so its less obvious for him to run out, a litttle trick aswell, try not to fold/take a forward seat to early, a horse i ride will throw you off if i took a forward seat a stride before the jump!
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Yeah he does seem a bit better actually when I'm a bit 'you can go over it, it won't eat you' when he's spooky, as I think he improves as the round goes on and he seems to be more confident after he's been encouraged to go over the fence and not run out. I'm not the kind of person though to get cross and smack him though, as I know he's just spooky.

ilvpippa said:
You could also take him to lots of clear round showjumping, or even to different instructor venues for a lesson.

You probably know all this advice anyway, so im sorry if my advice seems patronising, it isnt at all!
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Yeah have been looking for an instructor near me with an arena :)

Thanks for the advice, very helpful :) It's just a shame he lacks confidece, but I don't mean he's like a nervous wreck, he's just so spooky but sometimes he's fine, sometimes he's really 'OMG WHAT IS THAT?! :eek:'
Before we got him he was just a hunter for all of his life, and obvisouly a hunter has to jump anything, I'm guessing he's probably had a fall or bad experience when out because he's also cautious when we go xc schooling, he's improved loads though, it's just getting his confidence up!

Have also been advised to try roller spurs by an instructor, I wouldn't use proper spurs on him but might be worth a try with the roller ones :)
 
Have you thought about getting a friend to maybe have a sit on him, and make him jump the fences & see whether he is taking advantage of you being a sensitive kind rider?, im not the one to talk, i sometimes too tend to back off but after having a feew serious falls when horses have just stopped last minute i would much rather make them jump it from a walk, back to basics, then fall off over a bigger fence!

Let me know how it goes!
 
ilvpippa said:
Have you thought about getting a friend to maybe have a sit on him, and make him jump the fences & see whether he is taking advantage of you being a sensitive kind rider?, im not the one to talk, i sometimes too tend to back off but after having a few serious falls when horses have just stopped last minute i would much rather make them jump it from a walk, back to basics, then fall off over a bigger fence!

Let me know how it goes!
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Haven't done that before as most the shows we go, none of the people from our yard go to, and when we do go to the same shows they have their own horses with them :rolleyes:


Gosh I really made him sound like a right problem pony haven't I :p He really isn't, he's a lovely chap really and is perfect at home, he schools nicely and jumps whatever you point him at, if I could just get his showjumping away from home sorted he'd be fab for little ODE's and things like that :) He's also quite cautious for xc too, so I'm taking him schooling in a few weeks to remind him that it is fun! Gonna pop over some small fences and the place where we're going also has a small sj course set up to, will have a go over those too :)
Thanks for your help, much appriciated :) Will post some pics in the PG of the clear round and of our xc we're doing soon :)
 
A few possibles - Firstly forget about him jumping everything as a hunter. Jumping when following a herd is very different to being alone in the ring for a horse.
You say he's forward to the fences but remember, forward doesn't necessarily mean confident. When a horse is worried it will often run giving the impression of confidence. If he's ducking out at last minute he may well be comming in too fast and getting in a mess.
I would be tempted to trot in to the fences at a comp giving him time to sort himself out on approach and giving you more chance on keeping him straight.
The other issue with horses being forward to a fence is the rider often takes their legs off. Think about really pushing him to a contact so that you have him well and truely between hand and leg.

And finally, before you enter the ring imagine the two of you flying round the jumps with out the slightest problem. never underestimate the power of positiove thinking. ;)
 
ditto the positive thoughts and the effect of riding positively. i dont know how old your pony is but im going through something similar with mine just now and its mainly because shes so careful, doesnt want to make a mistake and doesnt quite understand the question. my horse isnt that young (10) but she raced(til she was 6) so quite green yet and i hate going sj, too much waiting around at comps, i want to event so have to practice so this year we are going to try and practice some more as she has loads of scope! in contrast she is awesome xc, think its the adrenaline and the positive forward canter! on that note i wouldnt jump too much from trot as i used to do this but u cant do that is a comp as often when the fillers are underneath the jumps are bigger so canter makes it easier. however if she runs out i was once told when my pony did this it was a lack of control, if they stop in front of fence at least they are at the jump. so hows your steering at competitions?
so my plan is to gradually move fillers in till they are under the fence then go jump something easy and try filler again. keep canter positive too. also i tip forward on last stride so sit up. plus we are having lessons at a local centre with instructor so they can move scary jumps under and we are out of comfort zone as we dont have many fillers at home and she has already jumped these so they are easier.phew :D
keep trying and get imaginative think police horse training! jump flowers, christmas trees and inflatable toys (tie them down first)lol
also i get nervous at shows so i take rescue remedy, just lets me get composure and ride as competitions are different and my pony is mega sensitive to my emotions and picks up on this so find the calmer i am the better.
sorry for all the rambling hope ive helped!
 
Maybe try trotting into everything, sit tall and do sitting trot a couple of strides out, sit up and keep your leg on. Over tiddly fences you won't need to fold/give so don't worry about that, just keep your legs on firmly and keep him straight. OVer that height he can walk over them/go from standstill. Keep your reins short and do not allow him to run out. Even if he stops, make him walk over it. You must be firm, good luck :)
 
I think he just sounds like he is being a bit of a cheeky pony to me, be firm, when he runs out try giving him a little tap on the shoulder and say NO in a firm voice. Ride confidently and positively to the fence and be determined that you are going to get over it. I've seen pics you have posted and he is a fab little jumper so I think he may be being a bit cheeky and trying his luck.
Good luck and keep us posted.
(I hope that didnt sound patronising by the way, it wasn't meant to!!)
 
JunoXV said:
A few possibles - Firstly forget about him jumping everything as a hunter. Jumping when following a herd is very different to being alone in the ring for a horse.
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That's what I mean though, perhaps he was just so used to that that he now is how he is because he's on his own.

JunoXV said:
You say he's forward to the fences but remember, forward doesn't necessarily mean confident. When a horse is worried it will often run giving the impression of confidence. If he's ducking out at last minute he may well be comming in too fast and getting in a mess.
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Yes he does rush over fences that he doesn't like, he settles into a nice canter though after and before the jumps, so I know he's unconfident from that

JunoXV said:
I would be tempted to trot in to the fences at a comp giving him time to sort himself out on approach and giving you more chance on keeping him straight.
The other issue with horses being forward to a fence is the rider often takes their legs off. Think about really pushing him to a contact so that you have him well and truely between hand and leg.
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I have tried that before but have found he's better if he's at canter as when he trots it gives him more time to look at what he doesn't like and decide he's gonna run out :p

JunoXV said:
And finally, before you enter the ring imagine the two of you flying round the jumps with out the slightest problem. never underestimate the power of positiove thinking. ;)
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Thanks for the advice :) I think I'm probably guilty of taking my legs off when he rushes though, will make sure my leg is on! :)
 
kez1001 said:
ditto the positive thoughts and the effect of riding positively. i dont know how old your pony is but im going through something similar with mine just now and its mainly because shes so careful, doesnt want to make a mistake and doesnt quite understand the question.
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He's 14, we bought him when he was 9 and before that he had hunted for most of his life. Have only started competeing properly last year + this year due to my own confidence issues! That sounds like him though, he's very eager to please

kez1001 said:
my horse isnt that young (10) but she raced(til she was 6) so quite green yet and i hate going sj, too much waiting around at comps, i want to event so have to practice so this year we are going to try and practice some more as she has loads of scope! in contrast she is awesome xc, think its the adrenaline and the positive forward canter! on that note i wouldnt jump too much from trot as i used to do this but u cant do that is a comp as often when the fillers are underneath the jumps are bigger so canter makes it easier.
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Hmm he can also be a bit spooky xc as well, although he's better than he used to be and we're going again in a few weeks to a new schooling place where he's never been before, to have a go over some diddy fences and remind him it is fun!

kez1001 said:
however if she runs out i was once told when my pony did this it was a lack of control, if they stop in front of fence at least they are at the jump. so hows your steering at competitions?
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Well it's actually taken us a long time to find a bit that he likes, we've got him in a Myler hanging cheek now for at home and sj, with a drop noseband.
But I have noticed that when he spooks and runs out, he sets his neck very high and tries to turn his neck away from where I'm trying to steer him to, which makes it difficult! So I was thinking about a Myler fulmer?

kez1001 said:
keep trying and get imaginative think police horse training! jump flowers, christmas trees and inflatable toys (tie them down first)lol

sorry for all the rambling hope ive helped!
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Haha will have a look in some shops and see what I can find :)

Thanks for your advice :)
 
saskia295 said:
Maybe try trotting into everything, sit tall and do sitting trot a couple of strides out, sit up and keep your leg on. Over tiddly fences you won't need to fold/give so don't worry about that, just keep your legs on firmly and keep him straight. OVer that height he can walk over them/go from standstill. Keep your reins short and do not allow him to run out. Even if he stops, make him walk over it. You must be firm, good luck :)
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Thanks for your advice :)
 
Bills said:
I think he just sounds like he is being a bit of a cheeky pony to me, be firm, when he runs out try giving him a little tap on the shoulder and say NO in a firm voice. Ride confidently and positively to the fence and be determined that you are going to get over it. I've seen pics you have posted and he is a fab little jumper so I think he may be being a bit cheeky and trying his luck.
Good luck and keep us posted.
(I hope that didnt sound patronising by the way, it wasn't meant to!!)
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Yeah it's just diffcult to tell when he's perhaps getting a bit silly or when he's genuinely scared. I can normally tell though because he blows through his nose and snorts like a pig and his eyes are on stalks! :rolleyes:

Thankyou, he is such a star at home, it's just trying to sort out our showjumping! I had hopes of doing a mini 2ft ODE at the end of June, because he was doing so well at the two arenas we hired out over winter, but now I'm not so sure after our clear round jumping! :p Will perhaps take him somewhere again and see how he is, and get some plant pots and stuff as fillers, I really wanted to go to the ODE as it would be such a huge confidnece boost for him if we got round! :D
 
anytime :D
its good to get advice, gives you ideas! keep us posted how you get on!
p.s do you use a running martingale? i have one just to jump as my pony puts head up high and actually found a milder bit more beneficial than trying to shut her mouth and over bit (hates flash and grackles - she is a princess lol)
good luck
 
Maybe try carrying a schooling whip (whilst clear rounding), this way you can ride him positively to the fence and give him a tap behind the saddle without changing anything, I did this with my boy, when I carried a jump whip, he either stopped if I rode him straight or ran out if I took my hand off the rein to give him a tap, when he was having a confidence wobble. Good Luck :)
 
Hi
I had the same problem with my pony. He was just an underconfident jumper. The best way I found to help him was to jump regularly at home.

but vary it alot so you arn't jumping the same old things all the time. Make them as spooky as possible. I used bright wrapping paper/wall paper samples stuck to fillers.

Silver trays from the £ shop are reflective & V scarey!

I made the jumps small. It is not the hight that is the issue at the moment. He needs to learn he cant run out . you can trot into them but make sure he is infront of your leg and your leg is on. Make sure you have a contact and keep your hands wide apart to make it hard for him to run out.

The main thing it to not let him run out what ever happens. Dont stop riding and give up at the last min even if you practicaly have to jump from a stand still (that is why we start small) He will learn running out is not an option and stop trying to as much.

Practice grids they will help his confidence. Also in canter, work on rhythm and a nice strong bouncy canter that is going forward but not running away and flat. I find counting my strides helps my rhythm. I often find myself counting them outloud while competing!

On the flat make sure he listens to your aids is in front of your leg. So when your leg is on he goes instantly! and try working on lateral work. This will help you stay straight approaching jumps and help stop him running out.

Another top tip is once you have turned to your jump and got your line dont look at it! look over it. I always used to look at it. & you end up riding your horse into the bottom of it and making it harder for them. This will not help an underconfident horse!

Anyway I have written an essay but these exercises & a fab instructor really helped me with my horse who had me in tears sometimes.

Good luck I hope some of this is usefull for you
 
Definately sound advice regarding trotting him in to everything and keeping it very small-speed frequently can lead to lack of control,and some horses will take a hold to a fence and then jam on or run out when they are afraid.
I have a 7 yr old homebred with a really tricky temperament.I have gone so slowly with him,going over the same ground again and again.He's a class showjumper and does a killer test,but he has trouble xc-he's brave,but really spooky.He did 3 great rounds this yr for two wins and a place,and then the last day out he was impossible-spooking,backing off,doing his level best to do anything but jump.Its very hard but you have to be endlessly patient and repetition plus reward is the key here-as long as youre sure he's not being naughty.The worst thing that could happen is to mistake being afraid/unsure for being naughty and hammering him-it compounds the problem,tells him he was right to be afraid and he will never trust you again.However if he is taking the piss,thats different.Could you not get a freelance instructor to help you strengthen up your basics and learn some froward driving and coping techniques at home-then if you get on well with your instructor,it would be a good plan to pay her to go to some small shows with you to observe and help-dont stuggle alone!! It could be very easily sorted out with the right help.
 
Binkyireland said:
I have a 7 yr old homebred with a really tricky temperament.I have gone so slowly with him,going over the same ground again and again.He's a class showjumper and does a killer test,but he has trouble xc-he's brave,but really spooky.He did 3 great rounds this yr for two wins and a place,and then the last day out he was impossible-spooking,backing off,doing his level best to do anything but jump.
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Sounds just like Toto!

Binkyireland said:
Its very hard but you have to be endlessly patient and repetition plus reward is the key here-as long as youre sure he's not being naughty.
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Tht's what I do, I always give him a pat and say good boy when he goes over a jump he doesn't like :)

Binkyireland said:
The worst thing that could happen is to mistake being afraid/unsure for being naughty and hammering him-it compounds the problem,tells him he was right to be afraid and he will never trust you again.
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Oh I'd never hit him for being afraid, the most I'd ever do is give him a small tap on the shoulder if he's ignoring my leg, I don't really ride with a whip anyway :) I don't use my whip when he runs out though, that would be telling him off for being scared :(

Thanks for the advice :)
 
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