Video of the little beast

madhector

madhector

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Managed to upload the video of the 2"6, put this in here as think it should be watched after reading the report.
This was the round after I had come off, so my right leg was completely useless. He was loads better than the previous round though, but you can see how much he argues for his head all the time. I wont put up the 2"9 as it isn't me on him and isn't the prettiest round, so don't think it is fair on my friend, who tried her best but they really didn't click

He felt 100 times better when I got back on again to do the 2"9 and I think he would have gone even better but I couldn't even manage sitting trot, let alone canter
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Anyway, here it is, any thoughts/advice really appreciated, my trainer is going to jump him for me this afternoon. He is being ridden in a rubber pelham, and has been perfect in it before yesterday, teeth are fine, as is back and saddle. I look awful on him, but was doing my best
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7w-Yp3mRAg
 
Oh it is not too bad at all! I think you are riding him beautifully would never have thought that the leg was hurting. I see what you mean about him chucking his head about, but think that will come with a little bit more schooling and training.
 
Hmmm. Interesting one really as he goes quite nicely beween the fences. He doesnt really seem to be paying much attention though when he gets to them! He acts like he is expecting a jab in the gob after some of the fences, I dont know if trying a much simpler bit like just a plain straight rubber snaffle might stop him throwing back at you so much? The only other thing, that reminded me of a horse I used to have that did a similar thing, is perhaps pain or discomfort in his pelvis/hindquaters. I understand the saddle is fine but I would be tempted to have him looked over. If nothing there perhaps some lunge or loose jumping so that he has nothing to fight and if he tits around he will end up in a heap and hopefully remember to stay a bit more focussed! Stab in the dark, but good luck with him. Nothing wrong with your riding though x
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that round is far better than before-he looks more settled.

I have had the whole head throwing with my last horse- anything i could hold her in comfortably meants she would fight me-would be fine in the warm up but in the arena would start poking her nose in the air therefore not looking where she was going!! But luckily i found a waterford did help-but some days she was too strong in it!!

As i said, you ride him really well
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once happy with diet - cut out oils/sugar beat etc....... and i've found with a loon, i use spiller cool mix........ but i a great fan of hay, hay and more hay........ then exercise then add in extra food, but i got it wrong aswell is my two are toooooooo fresh aswell

i defo would think about standing martingale............. as currently running is not doing anything (and yes horses can jump very well with standing on)
Also difficult i know as you joined tumble club BUT canter need to be more balence........ so i would say trotting poles etc...
 
Well firstly I think you rode it well so don't go beating yourself up over it.
Secondly the course did you no favours, didn't look like it flowed very nicely so not best for an opinionated youngster.
Good thing is he looks like he's enjoying himself.
I think I would now spend a few weeks schooling him at home before taking him out again and aim to get the fences a bit bigger and hopefully get him backing himself off more.
I'm going to be a bit controversial and say I might be inclined to try a standing with elastic insert for a little while.
 
You rode very well.

I think your probs could be due to him being weak behind and that is why he is rushing into the fences. However, a lot of horses are just like this, incredibly eager to get there and yes, a little panicky about the whole thing. Will say for now look at your bitting and do some further strengthening work for the hind muscles and remain sitting still and quiet and light.
 
I know it sounds like a scary thought, but definitely get rid of the running martingale (whether you replace it with a standing one is up to you!) I found that even the tiniest little thing would cause Sov to throw his head so violently I thought we would go over backwards! He will gradually grow in confidence that nothing is going to sock him in the teeth, (not the way you are riding, but how he is jumping, he is kind of his own worst enemy!). Work on getting him more balanced and obedient, he is rushing because he is green and thinks run fast and jump is what you want. TBH I wouldnt ask him to jump too big just yet, just get him being happy and obedient, then you know the jump is there when you need it.
 
Gree re. the sweet iron bit and a standing martingale. He has got to learn that he DOESNT know best and he has to listen. Also lots of work around fences, so circle in front of fence and jump it every third circle for example, so he has to learn to listen to you. Being completely the otehr way, whjat does he do if you dont touch his mouth at all? May be a bit quick, but a horse can only pull if he has something to pull against....
 
My little ex racer was just the same, we put her in a market harborough and she was loads better, only comes into effect when the head is raised too high but allows freedom the rest of the time. Just a thought
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MH, to me it looks like every time you take even the tiniest of pulls, half halt at the approach to the fence, he looks uncomfortable.
Agree with the bit change, a bit scared at the thought of a standing martingale
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Boo has also started stuffing his head up on the approach but not with me (I haven't jumped him big enough yet!!)

Personally, the groundwork that I did in my last jumping lesson, should help him forget that. I really think that that exercise would be good for you 2 too!

But don't beat yourself up about not riding him properly, there was nothing wrong with how you rode him.
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My trainer has just ridden him, we put him back in the simple lozange snaffle to see what we were dealing with, he did argue but did settle and his approuch was much better. It was when he lost the canter round the corner that he then paniced and ran off, but she did alot of wrok on this and he did improve.

However...

He was still very very careless, first time over each jump he was perfect then he just didnt bother. Tried V poles and a pole over the top of a paralell but again second time round and he alnialated them. He was better the bigger they got, but still not really trying.

Didnt have enough poles there to do a grid, but that was what she suggested.

Any ideas?
 
I think you have to start with the canter and work on that it looks very unbalanced and I think causes most of your problems. If you look at my SJ record eventing its crap as my horse had a dreadful canter and stuffs his head in the air. Can you loose school him? Is he careful doing that?
Is he totally careless in trot? What kind of boots do you have on his legs jumping? What poles do you use? I think its a case of patience and working hard on being able to move his canter around - shortening and lengthening. Also what about a lesson with a BSJA accredited trainer for a one off?
 
Just been able to see the vid - looks like he needs lots of grids to strengthen him behind as the canter gets very long and flat. Lots of bounces etc to make him think. The double he had down as he was a bit looky and that's just greenness but the others he flattened into.

I think he needs lots of work on the canter and lots of grid and pole work to make him balanced, then he'll be fine. He doesn't look nasty about it, just a bit unsure.
 
It is odd for a horse to be so careless in trot. Definately gridwork and I would suggest lots of tall cross poles as they are more solid as fences and improve shape.
 
Have you had his pelvis checked out? Or had a good chiropractor check him over generally? It's just he looks like he's pulling himself over with his front end, rather than taking any weight behind and springing off his hindlegs when he jumps. So he's not actually making a very round shape over the fence.

At the yard where I keep my horse there is a pointer who broke his pelvis who does a similar thing - so it might be worth looking into.

Good luck anyway.
 
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He was still very very careless, first time over each jump he was perfect then he just didnt bother. Tried V poles and a pole over the top of a paralell but again second time round and he alnialated them.

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Have you tried turning the wings on a bit angle so that they help to keep the pole in place, or alternatively using a cup on top of the pole aswell, and try jumping planks instead of poles, with a careless horse they offer more of a reminder!
 
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