SHOWJUMPING – TROUBLE SHOOTING REFUSALS

SHOWJUMPING – TROUBLE SHOOTING REFUSALS

Any rider that competes in show jumping has at one stage or another had the experience of a horse refusing to jump an obstacle. This can be extremely distressing and worrying, particularly if you are unsure as to the reason the refusal arose.

The reasons why horses refuse at jumps fit into two basic categories. These are:

1. Physical problems such as injury
2. Rider error.

Any incident of refusal will fit into one of these two categories if you analyse it carefully.

How can you tell whether it is a physical problem or rider error?

PHYSICAL PROBLEMS

Let’s start with injury, as it is important to rule this out before trying other avenues of approach. Back injuries are quite common in showjumpers, and may not reflect in lameness, or any obvious disability.

Ask yourself the following questions relating to the horse;
1. Is this a sudden change in behaviour.
2. Is it an isolated incident, or something that is happening with increasing frequency.
3. If it happens frequently, is there a consistent pattern e.g. always on the same rein.
4. Is my horse showing any other behavioural changes.

If you have a horse that was jumping boldly and with confidence, and he starts stopping without a precipitating incident, then I recommend a thorough check by your Vet, and, if available, Chiropractor.

Another potential physical problem that can exist, is your horse’s innate ability and conformation. Are you making demands that are physically beyond your horse’s scope? Sometimes this is relatively easy to determine, but not always. The horse has amazing courage and scope with the right rider as a partner.

Just like human athletes, horses often suffer from muscular aches and pains. A regular course of massage can help to prevent problems. Frequently horses under perform as a result of muscle stiffness and soreness. Again, this might not present as anything obvious, such as lameness, but your horse may be in considerable discomfort.

Incorrect shoeing and incorrectly fitting saddles are also a major cause of problems. Very often the source of poor performance can be traced to these factors. Check your horse’s feet carefully. Make sure that you use a reputable and experienced farrier. I firmly believe that if your horse is to be expected to jump anything up to and over 1m, he will need to be shod. The impact of landing causes discomfort on landing, and can be a cause of refusals.

RIDER ERROR

There are a number of possible errors and it is important to try to identify which is causing the problem. A brief description of the most common errors

1. Approach lacking impulsion – too much use of hand, and not enough leg. The rider must try to soften the hand and ride the horse forward.
2. Approach to fast and flat. The rider is sending the horse forward on to its’ forehand, without balancing the impulsion with body and a soft, but holding hand.
3. Approach on an incorrect line. Usually the rider has cut the corner and is unintentionally approaching the jump at an angle, resulting in the rider not seeing the take-off point correctly.
4. The rider unbalancing the horse by suddenly throwing his body forward in front of the jump. This completely upsets the horse’s balance and concentration.
5. Over facing the horse. If a horse is not ready for a particular level of jumping it can cause refusals, and a permanent loss in confidence to present the horse at obstacles beyond its’ present capability. This is often seen in over ambitious riders with young and talented horses.
6. Over taxing the horse physically. Continuing to jump when the horse is tired can force errors and loss of confidence. The golden rule in training horses to remember above all others “RATHER STOP TOO SOON, THAN NOT SOON ENOUGH”.

When problems present themselves, don’t panic. Try to analyse what happened in a dispassionate way. Ask an experienced instructor for assistance if possible. If the problem persists, it could well be undiagnosed injuries. Always consider the well being of your horse and seek the appropriate help.