Worked So Hard! Feel Like Giving Up

ShowJumperBeckii

ShowJumperBeckii

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So you all know i had big control issues and after loads of help from some lovely people on here and we were finely jumping confidencely 9ocm + corses with a few DC's and back jumping anything up to 1.20 with easy and safely
had a fall broke a coller bone ect back riding going wel, went to first showjumping competion scene the fall got placed and she went so nice in a snaffle and i was sooo happy :rolleyes:
did grids today and major confident knock, only x poles to start with No control at all galloping ect all of it went into a grid fell over the second part and i was left hanging round her neck to stay on over the last fence [thank god it was small], then jump a 4 strided double with a 2.6ft spread at end jump it rushed got to spread STOPED then jumped it
i stayed calm sat back hands down feeling confident, but nothing control gone and im fed up
i spent weeks getting her going 'nicely' and its just back to square one but this time ill will amite im deff not as confident
i know if i fall the chance of it snapping is really quite high, i dont want have a break from jumping i love it but her control issues seem worse than last time, but its getting to the point its dangerous! and im not risking myself for her to be an idoit, yes shes just excited but its just not funny anymore
and im stuck i dont know what do i? do i start all the grid work and pole work again? shes just so strong, but i know she can go so nicely in a snaffle
any ideas?

thanks you so much (:
mints for anyone that reads or helps :) x
 
Go back to flatwork again thats what got you in the position so you could go out and compete in a snaffle so just do flatwork.

Like you said you don't need to risk a fall as you are already weak from the break and I'm no expert but I'm guessing if it breaks again it will be a lot worse.

Just take a chill, long breath you may have got a bit tense from where she was going too fast which wound her up more like a viscous circle.
 
some horses will always need something stronger than a snaffle for jumping - Id stick something in her mouth that gives you control, safety first.
 
Kokopelli said:
Go back to flatwork again thats what got you in the position so you could go out and compete in a snaffle so just do flatwork.

Like you said you don't need to risk a fall as you are already weak from the break and I'm no expert but I'm guessing if it breaks again it will be a lot worse.

Just take a chill, long breath you may have got a bit tense from where she was going too fast which wound her up more like a viscous circle.
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its such a bummer :( 7 days ago she went amazing now i dont even want to think about it
 
all summer my horse went in a snaffle and cavesson, could stop out on hacks on the buckle. I jumped in it also - now winter is here, he is clipped,its colder - he is a lot sharper and Im having to hack out and jump in a kimblewick.
 
Stick her in the tom thumb if thats what you have control in. There is NO point hauling on her in a snaffle and risking life and limb. It is far nicer to be able to sit quiet and be respected in a stronger bit than be dragged about. Many horses go abit nuts when its colder, clipped or not. But do keep on with the flat work and keep everything small and easy.
 
hannah87 said:
Stick her in the tom thumb if thats what you have control in. There is NO point hauling on her in a snaffle and risking life and limb. It is far nicer to be able to sit quiet and be respected in a stronger bit than be dragged about. Many horses go abit nuts when its colder, clipped or not. But do keep on with the flat work and keep everything small and easy.
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agree with this - i have one bridle with a snaffle on for flatwork and another with the kimblewick on for hacks and jumping.
 
Safety first.

My mare is unstoppable in a snaffle over jumps. The only bit she respects is the pelham. A very light touch and she responds.

There was more damage happening by fighting the snaffle all the time.
 
I used to ride and hack my old jumping horse in a snaffle but jumping i always used a happy mouth pelham with 2 reins i rode him off the snaffle rein and then when i needed it i had the bottem rein. If she more controlable in a tomb thumb bit theres nothing wrong with that, a bit is only as severe as the riders hands so its only cruel if your hauling it which im guessing you dont do. The thing to remeber with most of these bits, there much better with 2 reins as thats the way there designed to be used then you can ride of the milder part of them then use the stronger rein only when nessary. :)
 
zoelouisem said:
I used to ride and hack my old jumping horse in a snaffle but jumping i always used a happy mouth pelham with 2 reins i rode him off the snaffle rein and then when i needed it i had the bottem rein. If she more controlable in a tomb thumb bit theres nothing wrong with that, a bit is only as severe as the riders hands so its only cruel if your hauling it which im guessing you dont do. The thing to remeber with most of these bits, there much better with 2 reins as thats the way there designed to be used then you can ride of the milder part of them then use the stronger rein only when nessary. :)
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i dont want to use a stronger one but shes just gone back to square one, she could keep doing this over and over again? so i guess its worth trying
and you use a tom thumb with double reins? i didt last time i used one? lol
thanks x
 
BSJAShowjumper123 said:
i dont want to use a stronger one but shes just gone back to square one, she could keep doing this over and over again? so i guess its worth trying
and you use a tom thumb with double reins? i didt last time i used one? lol
thanks x
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Yer your supposed to alot of showjumpers dont but thats how they were made to be used. It means when youve got control and your turning corners ect you dont have to be pulling on the harsher part but its there if you need it. To be honest i see no shame at all in using a stonger bit as long as its used properly. I would rather see a settled horse than somebody fighting with a weaker bit. :)
 
I know everyone is saying try a stronger bit but from gearing of your progress lately I really just think you've had a bad day and should try the snaffle and just school don't jump!

If shes good to school next time you ride her to pole work and the time after that try doing some grids.

Don't just think cause you had one bad day just put her back in a stronger bit you've come so far with her and you competed her in a snaffle!! Just try the snaffle again but on the flat and if shes literally awful try the stronger bit.

You will just go packwards in the hard work you've been putting in if you just go and shove her in a strong bit again, trust me I've been there done it and have learnt
 
I have confidence issues - although not over the same height fences as you!! more like 65cm :) For several reasons i havnt jumped for nearly 4months, now over the last year after getting kelly marks perfect confidence my whole 'pschye' has changed and I kept getting comments about how i was a different rider. anyway, since this last break ive gone back to being a complete bag of nerves + ive been quite fortunate + not suffered any bone breaks as in your situation.

What im trying to say is dont do anything your not completely happy doing as its not gonna help you or your horse. Give yourself some time and restart again x
 
Yes well she can have a day off tomorrow and i see whats shes like tuesday do some poles ect , and if the same ill try a tom thumb, thats the thing im very happy to be doing jumping i wouldt give it up for anything but when she does this its sooo off putting :/
thanks alot guys x
 
Remember both you and Ebs have had some time off, and away from the excitement of jumping. She will be very keen to get back to normal games. You worked very hard to get control,rhythm and balance before your fall. Even though it seems you are going back to square one, it will not take half as long to get back to where you were, as it will just be a revision, rather than teaching a whole new approach. Do go back to your basics, do the flatwork, forget jumping for a little while, and get Ebs listening to you again. Also, this will give your body time to get stronger and heal properly.
 
BSJAShowjumper123 said:
Yes well she can have a day off tomorrow and i see whats shes like tuesday do some poles ect , and if the same ill try a tom thumb, thats the thing im very happy to be doing jumping i wouldt give it up for anything but when she does this its sooo off putting :/
thanks alot guys x
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After a stressful ride like you've had I wouldn't give a day off to think about it but I would go out on a nice little hack and then the day after go back to schooling again, it depends how she hacks though as she has to be relaxing for you out on hacks for you to enjoy her :)
 
Groom42 said:
Remember both you and Ebs have had some time off, and away from the excitement of jumping. She will be very keen to get back to normal games. You worked very hard to get control,rhythm and balance before your fall. Even though it seems you are going back to square one, it will not take half as long to get back to where you were, as it will just be a revision, rather than teaching a whole new approach. Do go back to your basics, do the flatwork, forget jumping for a little while, and get Ebs listening to you again. Also, this will give your body time to get stronger and heal properly.
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^^^^
This also is Ebs is stiffer because of the cold weather give her a bit of a break from rushing straight back into big jumps and concentrate on a few weeks of suppling her up and working on your flatwork.
 
I personally would try a stronger bit, there's no point in being in a dangerous situation that could easily be avoided. Safety first.

My mare will school beautifully in an eggbutt snaffle, but when it comes to jumping she's in a waterford gag, always.

ETA: Don't bother with people that say whatever bit is "cruel" if it works for you and you're safe, then so be it.
 
If you are having to haul on a snaffle then that isn't going to be pleasant for both you or her. I suggest using a stronger bit for showjumping, there is no shame in it. If I was doing more than a couple of jumps I'd swap my old eventer into a gag or a tom thumb as jumping out of control is plain dangerous.

Don't feel defeated, keep up with the flatwork and gridwork in the meantime as that is only going to bolster your jumping for the future. Go for some nice long hacks with some friends, pop some logs and have fun! Horses are all about fun, so take the pressure off yourself.
 
now im getting told differnent stories :S :/
HAAA i dont hack in a snaffle are you crazy ;) ;) i like living lol
no flatworks not bad but hacking and jumping i seem to lack control and use a gag which im not keen on at all i suggested a tom thumb cause i used it at weston lawns once and she went rather nice [appart from me losing my way around the corse.... :o:p] but was YO so had to give it back, but im not fussed as long as i can get control that would be nice
but her day off is monday... oooh she wont be happy with me :p
 
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BSJAShowjumper123 said:
now im getting told differnent stories :S :/
HAAA i dont hack in a snaffle are you crazy ;) ;) i like living lol
no flatworks not bad but hacking and jumping i seem to lack control and use a gag which im not keen on at all i suggested a tom thumb cause i used it at weston lawns once and she went rather nice [appart from me losing my way around the corse.... :o:p] but was YO so had to give it back, but im not fussed as long as i can get control that would be nice
but her day off is monday... oooh she wont be happy with me :p
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LOL about the hacking!!:D

I agree with about the gags i dont really like them for th pure reason in all the horses ive ridden them ive never had a horse go nice in them, although they work for some people.

3 things, do you feel with schooling poles youll be able to get your conrol back? If so persist with the snaffle, of not try the tomb thumb.
Are you having lessons at the moment? If so what does your insructor say, she/he will know and see alot more in the flesh than well see over a computer!
Also in what way is she out of control, is she grabbiing the bit? Could you try a different type of snaffle, A waterford? or cherry roller?That would be a bit of a comperise then slight stronger snaffle but with out the poll action?
 
i tried hacking in snaffle and nearly jumped a 5ft hedge, haay at least she'd be good at hunting :o and we would jump all the bushes ect [not though choice....;)]
i personly dont think she goes nice in it yes i have control but doesnt seem to accept it and egh just no :p lol
she goes nice in the snaffle for flat until we see a pole or fence or open field and we are not so calm no more :o
no the man who teaches hasnt come up in a while and i tried to pay a dressage teacher but woah the prices o.O
nope shes doesnt grab shes more or a 'tanker' like after 5 mins of circling and her pulling my arms out i can get her to trot into a fence but then she gallops off and its not great when your going grids but lucky they were small and your siting there like 'am i still alive in one piece on the horse?' :o :p.....
 
BSJAShowjumper123 said:
i tried hacking in snaffle and nearly jumped a 5ft hedge, haay at least she'd be good at hunting :o and we would jump all the bushes ect [not though choice....;)]
i personly dont think she goes nice in it yes i have control but doesnt seem to accept it and egh just no :p lol
she goes nice in the snaffle for flat until we see a pole or fence or open field and we are not so calm no more :o
no the man who teaches hasnt come up in a while and i tried to pay a dressage teacher but woah the prices o.O
nope shes doesnt grab shes more or a 'tanker' like after 5 mins of circling and her pulling my arms out i can get her to trot into a fence but then she gallops off and its not great when your going grids but lucky they were small and your siting there like 'am i still alive in one piece on the horse?' :o :p.....
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Hehe well least she enjoys the hacking!!:)

See it sounds like she was fine in the snaffle, but now shes getting to full fitness your struggling in it. People will prob shoot me down for this but have you tried a pelham? You could try a nice happy mouth one. Ride with 2 reins. Then you maily ride from the snaffle but youve got the other rein if needs be.
The other option is a hanging cheek snaffle. Its still a snaffle but it does have slight pole action to help with control. :)
 
haa shes does i just hold on tight and hope for the best, she gallops then SPOOKS so gotta told on tight ;) :p
Yes she did't like it was to much for her, with double reins and with roundings x
haa tried it at old yard, still hacking with a snaffle is a big no no ;) lol
 
BSJAShowjumper123 said:
now im getting told differnent stories :S :/
HAAA i dont hack in a snaffle are you crazy ;) ;) i like living lol
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It's your horse we are just here to guide you and you choose whose advice to follow if you want.

Okay definatly don't hack then, you need to have a nice relaxing ride on her though so you can forget about your ride today so when you ride her next your more positive whether your in a snaffle or not you need to be positive. If you give her a day off tomorrow you'll have another day thinking about it and most likely you'll be more negative when you next ride her.
 
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