To hot to compete?

L

longdog

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 September 2008
Messages
1,003
Location
Sussex
Visit site
We are beginning to run out of enthusiasm for taking Scarlet to competitions as she is so hot on arrival. When we get there, she sweats profusely, we have to tack up in the lorry, as for studding up...... don't even go there. I bring her out on the lunge & try to find somewhere quiet to allow her to relax, but she is completely wired & will not stand to have her rider legged up - don't bother with the mounting block as she won't go within 5 yards of it. when the rider is on board her head is up & she is so tense, she goes backwards, doesn't listen, gawps at all the other horses & generally is awful for about 15/20 mins. She will settle eventually, but is not improving. Clinics are not so bad as they tend to be less busy. Some RC events or C/R jumping again are a little better, because there is less going on.
For jumping she acts as if she has never seen a pole on the ground & will spook & spin & it takes several clear rounds before the lights go on & she becomes a pleasure to jump. Same for XC. We took her to a RC dr in August & she was quite nice until half way through her test when walk on a free rein suddenly became the catalyst for her to tense up, jog & simply become almost unrideable. She has been scoped for ulcers - clear, her teeth, back etc are fine. She is mostly good to hack, better in company can be stupid on her own.
HELP! we have a massively talented horse - when she is with you there is no better horse, it is just becoming harder & harder to get through the tension & have her onside........
 
my horse is fairly similar....not competed now in over 12months:( my thoughts on my pony was in his previous home he had hunted once when I bought him and I think this is why he looses the plot! I competed him for over a year and half and he never improved. he is also very talented so it is bloody frustrating and heart breaking! I know not much help but I hope some one can give you fab advice that I may have to nick as well!!!
 
She sounds a lot like Topaz when we got her in that, busy competition environments blew her mind! It took two of us to tack her up in the box and lead her out, I had to be legged up as not a chance would she stand, and then we mainly got leaping and general tom-foolery!

However we persevered and she is lovely now. The thing that really helped, was to get her out regularly, what especially helped was our local rc do summer lessons which were fab. As they were lots of horses and we did the same things that we would do at shows, as the lessons were held on the show ground, but we had the flexibility to chill her out by taking her away from the group. It meant we could get her out at least once a week, and she learnt it wasn't all that exciting. But asides from that she has seemed to mature with age and is such a good girl now I can take her out by myself!

Good luck x x
 
Take her out as much as possible. Saturday and Sundays and lessons mid week at an away venue so it becomes boring.

Regumate can help calm mares as well.
 
I agree that taking out regularly is the answer, at least once a week if not twice if possible. And first outings should be non-exciting - no jumping or fast work to start with and not too busy an atmosphere.
 
My horse of a lifetime was like this the only way to get on her was to jump on out the lorry door , you got one chance in the box at a three day to get back on if you fluffed that you where in trouble .
She spend a fair bit of time in the collecting ring walking on her back legs and if she hit a practice fence all hell broke lose .
Dressage was interesting ,the start box for XC a nightmare but once she was doing her job she was magic she did calm as she aged but not much.
We tried everything .
I learnt just to enjoy her as she was .
 
Just keep taking her places until it gets boring? My ex racer used to be difficult - had to tack him up while he was walking around and just launch myself on and hang on - the more we have gone out the more he has realised it's not interesting! He will stand and sleep tied up to the trailer now, whereas before I couldn't even have tied him to the trailer.
It might be worth persevering, you never know :) good luck!
 
Our SJ'er was a bit like that when we first got him - I used to dread taking him out as he was such a challenge. It took us almost 3 years to get it sorted - but we are so glad we did as he is talented lad really.

The only thing that will really work is to get them out lots and lots and lots - every weekend day, once in the week at least. Sometimes competing, sometimes not. You might want to use a calmer in the early days - there are competition legal ones. Taking a companion might help - but if you are going to usually compete alone that isn't a long term answer.

Part of it is that the horse learns it isn't exciting any more. Part of it is that we learn to cope better with them so our stress doesn't set them off. We have clear routines; nothing to chance. I suspect it looks a bit odd from the outside the preparations to tack, to mount, to stud and to load - because mostly he is fine now. But one mistake, one thing out of place and we are back to mad lad.

For studding... we found tapping out at home where he is calmer then plugging the holes. The using a farrier's hoof rest to get the stud in place. For some reason he stands better for that than if we are just trying to hold a hoof.

It does come right in the end - but takes a huge amount of patience and courage. The talented ones are often quirky. But it is also OK to say that she isn't the right horse and to move on This is meant to be fun - and is too expensive not to enjoy.
 
Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply. We have had her 4 years now, she was off for all of 2013 & the beginning of 2014 with a fractured hock & split tendon due to a kick in the field. She came back into work an absolute monster & I had to walk out with daughter on the lead rein everyday until she settled, which was no fun. Two falls last weekend just seemed to be the straw that broke the camels back. My daughter is very brave, but not bold & we are now getting to the end of what we can try. We have had her on calmers, been to clinics, C/R jumping, dr comps, but are now at a very low place. We had an event rider on her & he agrees she was v sensitive, but didn't have any magic answers. What I want to know is if there IS an answer out there, or should we retire her to being a (reasonably) happy hacker & look for something else. When she's good, she's very very good, when she's bad, she's horrid!
 
Wanted to reply as you seem so low with her at the moment and I can fully sympathise!

We had a terror of a show a couple of years ago, where Topaz had been so good previously for a couple of months we thought we had it cracked but she flipped out and I got eliminated (fell off) in the first two classes and then applauded in the last for still being eliminated but not falling off :o. That was I think about rock bottom! If Topaz can turn it around I think most can with sympathetic riding and handling (not for a moment suggesting you're not doing the above), but it does also take time, time for the horse to really get into the routine without gaps and also time for the rider and horse to gel (which can be longer than anticipated).

The magic answer with us was consistency, so it was really taking her out at least once a week for months! We had to be super relaxed with her, no getting cross with the deafening neighing, no getting upset with it taking forever to tack up because she wouldn't stand etc. We had to keep everything calm and relaxed even if if took longer, I planned everything so it was never a rush and everything we needed was to hand. Kept the heights we were jumping much smaller than I knew we could jump so nothing was over-facing, always made use of the clear round so she could see the arena and fillers and anything stored around the edge, in a stress-free way.

It wasn't a case of a quick fix or a fad, just consistent confidence building outings. She's 11 now and we bought her at 6, she is the most amazing horse I think I will ever get the pleasure to ride, but she has been one of the most trying! We are now out doing dressage which I think we've done well at because it is low key and less intimidating for her, just her in the arena and me, no spooky fillers. We still jump and hopefully will get out over winter, but having done the dressage I can see she would never have been as successful jumping as her nature is what it is. So if you're really getting nowhere it is not failing to let the horse decide what they enjoy, some horses probably just can't do the atmosphere of a comp...

Hugs and chin up, I hope my ramblings made a little sense?

x x
 
Could you even consider putting her on short term livery at a really busy yard that runs loads of events (so there's always a busy atmosphere)? Maybe even just 2 weeks or a month or schooling her daily in that environment would help her?
 
I would give Equifeast a call, they helped enormously with a mare I had that could be a stress head at a competition. I won't turn her into Snow White but I am sure it will help, other than that I would be taking her out every day if possible, whether that be a hack somewhere new or a competition, literally bore her to death with going to new places, is this possible for you?
 
I've just popped over and had a read of your blog, and I it was quite enlightening - you answer your question yourself in fact when you talk about her being behind your leg. You need to school her at home to react to your leg aid by going *forward*, and then allow her to do so when she does. It's so tempting with hot horses to take your leg off, but you need to put your brave pants on and really ride her. You say on your blog that you didn't want to trot and canter on the clinic, but after you did things were actually OK - Francis' advice to you is the best there is, just get on and keep her moving, channel her tension into forward energy and ride positively, not defensively. From the sounds of your blog you're capable of doing it, it's confidence that's lacking which happens to us all. But also, stop telling yourself "Oh this is a naughty horse and I'm going to have a difficult time of it"! Tell yourself "right, today I'm going to ride really forward and positive and she's not going to have the chance to misbehave" and you'll be fine! Then because you have a framework in place when you're in the saddle of you being the boss and her doing as she's told (which will actually make her happier - horses want leadership), I expect you'll find a lot of the othr problems will gradually disappear. Good luck! :-)
 
Just a thought really.Could you not box up to a show, get her off the box, ride her round for a few minutes until she starts to settle even a little bit, put her back on the box and go home.Do this until she gets used to this and then try some very small unchallenging and calm competitions.
 
What about longeing?

We have some eventers that are on a program. (And these horses have been out to many places! Not green. Just way too excited about life sometimes :p).

Start at home. Longe, go back to cross ties or stall for 10-15 min, go out for proper working ride. Doesn't need to be done everyday, but for a few days in a row at first, then use when spirited or not rode for a couple days. Longe time can be 10-20 min dep on the horse and the day.

Once they have the idea of longe-get some energy released, calm down time,Bren work time- then it can be used as shows, etc. we find it helps put their brains in a good place from both energy release and known routine.

:)
 
Chirmapops said:
I've just popped over and had a read of your blog, and I it was quite enlightening - you answer your question yourself in fact when you talk about her being behind your leg. You need to school her at home to react to your leg aid by going *forward*, and then allow her to do so when she does. It's so tempting with hot horses to take your leg off, but you need to put your brave pants on and really ride her. You say on your blog that you didn't want to trot and canter on the clinic, but after you did things were actually OK - Francis' advice to you is the best there is, just get on and keep her moving, channel her tension into forward energy and ride positively, not defensively. From the sounds of your blog you're capable of doing it, it's confidence that's lacking which happens to us all. But also, stop telling yourself "Oh this is a naughty horse and I'm going to have a difficult time of it"! Tell yourself "right, today I'm going to ride really forward and positive and she's not going to have the chance to misbehave" and you'll be fine! Then because you have a framework in place when you're in the saddle of you being the boss and her doing as she's told (which will actually make her happier - horses want leadership), I expect you'll find a lot of the othr problems will gradually disappear. Good luck! :-)
Click to expand...

^^^^ this is good advice. I too have a stress head although nowhere near in your league ;) Equifeast CCC helped but also me having the confidence to try and channel that hotness was the key for us. We are still nowhere near perfect but getting there. It's so tempting to take your leg off when they are hot but actually you often find they gain confidence from your leg and settle better. Worth a try? I know it will not be easy but good luck!
 
My mare is hot at competitions, but also a very talented jumper. I find getting on and making her 'work' not just walk trot and canter but really making her channel her energy into something other than being an idiot. I keep my warm-up short and sweet but quite intense, and then take her away from that and go for a little walk around the boxes to let her settle. Horses work off body language, a lot more than people think!
 
You have all given good advice, which I am very grateful for. It is exactly what our mare needs. Our problem is that my daughter is just worn out from it. She needs to ride at the top of her game every single time & it is exhausting. When you only have one horse it is difficult to keep perspective & to keep faith in your own ability. She has been offered some rides on various friends horses which I think we will be taking up as they all know how tough our mare is. I will keep some updates coming through, but again, thank you for taking the time & trouble to reply :)
LD xx
 
If it's any consolation, I have a beautiful, talented and very sharp WB mare, who I struggled with for just this reason - I know how hard it is to be "at the top of your game" every time, as you say, and I can't count the number of times I wished I'd bought something less talented but more "fun". BUT, three years on, my mare now is an absolute delight, has a great attitude at competitions - even championships - and has just started at Medium. Plus I'm a waaaaaay better rider. It does get better, I promise!
 
Shay said:
The talented ones are often quirky. But it is also OK to say that she isn't the right horse and to move on
Click to expand...

MagicMelon said:
Could you even consider putting her on short term livery at a really busy yard that runs loads of events (so there's always a busy atmosphere)? Maybe even just 2 weeks or a month or schooling her daily in that environment would help her?
Click to expand...

longdog said:
Our problem is that my daughter is just worn out from it. She needs to ride at the top of her game every single time & it is exhausting.
Click to expand...

Whatever you find I do hope that Daughter is happy in the end. It is supposed to be fun, not an emotionally/Physically/financially draining roller coaster!
 
My mare used to become very tense at events ,although not to your mares extent, so I can sympathise with how frustrating it is when you have such a talented horse that just won't listen and becomes worried at events. Was there a certain event that made her start to panic or has she always been like this?
I found that repetition was the only way to get my mare to settle. I started off taking her to more quiet events like winter dressage and showjumping to get her settled and she soon calmed down and then when she was okay, she moved on to bigger shows. I went from being pretty much last after every dressage test and coming out in floods of tears from frustration, to being in the top 5 or 10 after every test. It just takes a lot time and patience! (It had taken nearly 6 years of patience from me to coax a calm, decent dressage test out of her!)
Its also about working out what works best for your horse. Some take ages to warm up and settle, but I actually find that less is more with my mare and will get on her 20 mins before a test and even then, mostly we just walk around on a long rein to chill out. The more I do with her while warming up, the more irate she can get.
The other option is to just take her and lead her around then take her back home. We do this with our youngsters, we take them along to quieter shows with our more experienced horses and lead them around, tie them up to the lorry, etc. That way they can get used to the atmosphere without having the pressure of being ridden somewhere new.
You don't want your daughter to start dreading it or not enjoying it, as it costs far too much money to not have fun and be enjoyable!
Good Luck and I hope it all works out :)
 
We solved a similar problem with our tb gelding by putting him on a horse walker for over half an hour before taking him to a small show. It took the edge off him and allowed him to understand it wasn't hunting and he wasn't going for a gallop with the others! Once he understood that he was fine and my daughter was much more confident so things improved hugely and quickly. Now he stands and sleeps in-between classes.
 
Theres a new product out called Confidence EQ. Its a pheramone based gel you rub inside their nostrils (rather like DAP/Feliway for ponies). I read about it and tried it on my youngster the other night at a lesson. he was much less spooky, and was able to concentrate for much longer.
Maybe worth a try? I found somewhere online that will sell in single sachets rather than a box, as I wasn't prepared to buy a whole box if there was no difference - although I may well consider it now.
I will be using it again next weekend at his first show.
 
I have to agree about the quirky horses being the most talented, my main mare is draining! But when she jumps i've never sat on a horse like it,shes unreal and it makes every single annoying, feel-like-bailing-and-crying warm up worth it. But if she isn't enjoying the horse, it is a hobby and no point in carrying on if it is becoming a chore and not fun!
 
Lots of good advice on how to improve things! I'll only add that I think you're right to consider whether she is actually the right horse to do what you want to do, and whetehr you have the time and emotional energy to put in even more work than you already have.
 
She will only learn to relax if she gets the chance to. Taking her out is the key and riding her. Dont drop her just because shes at a show and a bit hot, she needs to get the leadership from the rider.
if she gets ridden differently to at home, she wont understand the rider and it adds to her insecurities.
De spooking and doing a warm up at home first can help, plus getting her calm travelling. Can you travel with another horse and just go around the block? So then shes not stressed by being on the lorry?
 
I feel for your daughter....know how she feels being exhausted by a tricky horse. Not fun!

If she wants to continue with the mare then I think there are a few things (mainly been said already):
1. Move her to a competition yard where they run regular shows if you can afford it. Doesnt matter what discipline really, just have her on a busy yard where there is all sorts going on frequently and she will have to get used to the atmosphere - and compete here every weekend (saves you fuel money at least!) so she is in her home environment which might make a difference
2. See if there is a pro who will take her next season - worth a shot providing you are honest about her issues and the pro is willing to take that on. You never know, with their resources (having a team of grooms & helpers makes life a lot easier!) they might just get a tune out of her and can be taking her out very frequently.
3. Switch to dressage for a while. You said she is getting worked up by poles and fillers etc, leave that alone for a while and focus on the flatwork. There are plenty of venues that run dressage comps and if you can find a couple of local ones you can alternate between a busier, livelier venue and a quieter, calmer venue. The venue I work at is perfect for nervous horses as its normally very quiet, the warm up is with other horses in the outdoor then the test is done in an indoor where you cant see any other horses and there are no real distractions (no whiteboards either for a 20 x 60 test as that's the exact size of the arena). Having a few outings at a quieter, calmer venue might get your daughter's confidence back up again and get your mare's confidence up too.
4. Give her a good canter in a light seat as your warm up. Yes you need to walk a bit first but I know so many riders that have to walk for a while, then do a trot warm up, then they'll eventually move into canter. But I think you have to look at the horse underneath you - if they are hot and struggle with relaxation, then getting a good forwards canter in a light seat can really help. Gets a bit of that energy off, stops them from having too much of an opportunity to be looking around at everything at getting more worked up.

Does your daughter's trainer ever come with you to comps to warm her up? That might be worth a try - getting some advice on the ground in the warm up will be extra back up for your daughter and should give her some more confidence. Often if you are a bit nervous about the competition and the anticipation of the horse's behaviour being bad makes you even more nervous, the horse senses that and it all goes downhill. Whereas if the trainer is there, coaching and giving instructions - she wont have time to think about what the mare 'might' do as she will be focusing on what the trainer is asking her to do.

There's plenty more you can try before you give up - just depends if your daughter still has the patience and the confidence to carry on trying. If she really has lost all incentive to keep on trying and has lost interest in competing her ever again then perhaps you need to think about selling her or getting a loaner or something like that.
 
14 Years on and i with my now almost 21yo TB mare i still have to follow the same pattern on a show day....

Up to the yard
Lunge for a good half hour
Feed

Stick back in stable and leave alone as long as possible, quick groom and plait up.
Travel in magnetic wraps and rug (god send!)
Leave alone on lorry/trailer till I need to tack up and get on.

Dont halt anywhere near entrances or exits as she can go up- warn stewards that trotting to enter the ring is best
And away we go!

Personally your girl sounds more like a fear response so just need to find what makes her comfortable.
Good luck!
 
Some people possibly won't agree with this but when I had one who was so wired he was dangerous at shows I took him out to a local show, got him off the lorry and long reined him in walk and trot ( with some fairly impressive airs above the ground thrown in for good measure) untill he was almost on his knees! White with sweat and begging to stop. Then I untracked him, cooled him off and let him graze .
about an hour later I tacked him up, got on him did one circuit round the lorry and then took him home!
Next time out he came off the lorry wired again so out came the longriens but this time it only took 10 mins before he was settled so took him home after a walk round the lorry park
3rd time out he was het up coming off the lorry but settled beautifully within a couple of mins so we stayed did our classes and we havnt had a problem since.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top