Why do horses refuse jumps?

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moneypit1

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I need to get my head round it. Have been jumping my Fly over 3ft at home no probs. Have jumped him in a Tom Thumb with martingale. Tried him this week twice in snaffle, no martingale. Refusal, refusal. WHY? Surely it cant be the change in tack? 'It almost seems like he is scared, don't know why. When I lower the jumps he does them no problem. Bit worried, don't want to over face him but honestly, 3ft is nothing to him. Changed tack because friend is into Parelli and said that less is more etc, etc, so gave it a good try. I don't know, will try him tomorrow over a smaller course to get his confidence back.
 
Maybe subconsciously you were holding on to him, thinking you may not be able to stop afterwards? If he is usually jumping in a tom thumb I guess he is strong?
 
Maybe he likes his tom thumb and martingale?! Of course in the ideal world less is more but if he is jumping happily in that tack why change it - it is probably the chane and the 'funny feeling' that would have been created that would have put him off his jumps. Dont forget that whenever you make a change or adjustment you need to go down a peg with the jumping so the horse can get used to the feel. Also remember that you kow your horse better than your 'freind'. Sorry if that sounds harsh. xx
 
lack of confidence or expectation of pain, imo. i'd go back to what works, small fences, build up both your confidence again, then bigger fences. think of changing to a snaffle but keeping the martingale, or vice-versa i think, not changing both at once. good luck!
 
Horses can start refusing for a number of reasons - eyesight problems, rider not really committed, pain on take off or landing, fear, habit.
I'd take him back a step or two and do some gridwork (not big fences though) until he feels better....assuming you know distances.
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Agree with most,if the bit and tack combination working leave well alone,what is the saying"if it aint broke don't fix it"
Tried changing my horse from a fixed french link to a full cheek cyprium french link,went well in it for 2 weeks then hated it,had to put him back in the old bit,settled straight away!They do say it can take 2 to 3 weeks for a horse to settle and accept a different bit,but if the objection is that severe he is telling you something straight away!!
 
Thanks everyone, I will definately do some grid work today over small jumps and see how he goes. I felt so bad that something had obviously upset him yesterday and hope he is feeling ok, there is always that nagging worry that he wasn't feeling A1. Will try again in the snaffle (which incidentally he is ridden in all the time for flat work) and see what happens. He is normally jumped in a TomThumb because I seem to be able to get his rear end under him so much easier and his turns are a lot sharper. xx
 
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