Young horse napping in the ring? Wwyd?

[EMEventing2013]

Just wanted some general opinions about napping/ rearing really! I took my 4 year old to his first show with me yesterday (clear round jumping) he was perfect in the warm up even when the other horses left. He is quite a spooky horses and can be sharp, if he spots something he doesn't like he just plants and spins and will not go near it.

Anyway, good as gold in warm up jumped everything beautifully. As soon as he gets into the ring he seems to have a bit of a break down, he will not go from the gate just plants and spins or rears! Managed to get him going a bit and jumped a clear round. However, the fences aren't the problem! Had to do quite a bit of navigating away from the gate inbetween. Fillers and the height of fences don't worry him at all!! Also, this was not his first show he has already jumped British novices with previous owner/breeder!

I have the same problems with hacking, I.e he doesn't go!

So wwyd? I think going out more often will help him get used to it, all he does is go in the arena at home as he is awful to hack! I think he is nervous but he isn't scared of traffic or anything like that, it seems to be the small things! We are starting hacking boot camp this week!!

Any opinions or stories?! I really want to get past this as he is a cracking horse!

Hope this makes sense

Thanks!

 

[ecrozier]

If he's only 4 I would be tempted to crack the hacking as a priority, then worry about competing later perhaps? Maybe in the mean time go to school in other arenas - a lot of places near me hold clear round/training days before or after competitions?

 

[DabDab]

I would agree ecrozier - hacking, hacking and more hacking - just to work him through the napping away from a show situation, particularly if he is relatively safe in terms of traffic. From your description of the show it does sound like you were able to work him through it to some extent, so it probably is a case of practice makes perfect. However, if your horse isn't the type of napper that completely looses its brain when it starts napping then teaching something like leg yielding or turn on the forehand can be useful, because when he plants and won't go forwards from the pressure of both legs, giving him a different command with your legs may help him click his brain back into gear and start reacting to your commands again. If however, he plants and any further input from you just escalates the situation then riding strongly forwards is often more successful - backing up your leg with a stick.

With him hanging by the gate in the ring the other thing you could try is to ride in a field at home if that is at all possible, because you will often get similar behaviour in that environment, and it is easier to work through it there.

Best of luck with your horse - he sounds like a promising showjumper

 

[humblepie]

Agree with all the above but other ideas - if you go to a show do not hang around at all in the collecting ring, stay as far away as you can within sight of the ring steward and then aim him for the entrance or even better see if you can go in the exit. Also if you have any clear rounds or similar near you, what is he like with another horse. So could you have another horse go into the ring with you to keep him company and get him past the silly bit?

 

[TarrSteps]

How much have you had him out schooling etc? Have you rented a ring with jumps, gone out with others etc? Even if you don't think he should need that sort of prep it's a way of working out your issues with the time and space that is difficult to get in a competition situation, even a quiet clear round. Get your instructor to go with you and work out the best way to deal with his behaviour so when you progress to a show situation you already have a plan in place. Horses take comfort in a familiar plan!

I would also agree on the hacking. I'm personally okay with not doing masses of hacking especially with a horse whose primary purpose is to be an upper level competition horse, BUT the fact that you have the same issues there that show up out competing means you have a great opportunity to address them at home, at your own speed.

Even though he's been out competing at 4 he could not have done much and presumably it was with people and in a program he was already familiar with and comfortable in. I'm not always that convinced that it's all about "bonding" but I do think a horse has to take confidence from the rider and if he/she is not experienced with young horses that can take a bit of time.

So yes, keep on keeping on, but with perhaps a bit more of an organised plan. Lots of horses are okay with just going along, getting mileage, but the sensitive ones can take a bit more planning sometimes, to make sure each outing is a productive one.