Spooky when going XC

[JJ2]

When i take my mare XC she is very spooky and doesnt really go forward into her fences and settle into a rhythm. Because of this she makes it more hard work for herself and runs out of stamina a lot quicker, usually about 3/4 of the way round so i have to slow down.

Now this is probably because she doesnt do it regularly, about twice, three times a year but she is always the same.
She is very honest and always jumps the fences, just doesnt move forward and take the bit, instead she is behind the bit and it feels like she is bouncing along like a kangaroo as she is so hesitant!

Is there anything i can do to help this or is it just a case of getting her out doing more XC? Has any one else ever had a horse like this? I would love a bold horse XC...one day!

Hope that makes sense!!

 

[oofadoofa]

You could try going round in a pair with a more forward going horse, she might get the idea then!

 

[JJ2]

Yes she is a lot more forward behind...to the point that she is strong! I am just not sure as to whether i should be giving her a little tap and telling her to get on with it or being sympathetic. I did forget to say, she is 21 yrs old this year and is a complete schoolmistress so really should know a little better as she has done a fair bit of this over the years!

 

[kerilli]

i'd make sure the fences are very small to begin with - nothing over 2', say - and go round from trot to begin with, until she wants to canter to the fences. might be a good idea to go around once when schooling her, give her a bit of a rest, then go around again so she's jumping the same fences and feels braver.
just read that she's 21... hmm. is she definitely fit and well enough? that is quite old, however well she looks, it's like asking your granny to run round the block with you!

i'd be sympathetic about whether she is tired, but not about going forward properly to the fences and jumping them out of a rhythm, but on a horse of that age i'd do about 6 then give her a breather of at least a few minutes, then do a few more if she feels fine, and monitor her breathing carefully to see if she's getting too puffed out.

 

[JJ2]

Dont be fooled by her age. She has always been like this regading the spooking since i first had her at 12yrs old! She fighting fit and not suffering with her age at all so i defiinitely think she is up for the job just pretty spooky at times. It isnt even the fences she is spooking at, more the things in the hedges, cars, jump judges etc

Besides she is only jumping 2ft3" maximum so i am not pushing her.