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How to correct a horse when they refuse?

2K views 7 replies 6 participants last post by  As You Wish 
#1 ·
I'm currently jumping a 8 year old mare who sometimes can refuse a fence. We are only jumping approx 60cm cross rails with no scary fillers or anything. We have had her back and saddle checked. To correct a refusual thats not rider error i allow her to look at the jump and then reaporoach with a stronger leg aid. Is this the right thing? What do you do? All opinions needed.
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#3 ·
I've heard to walk the horse parallel to the jump on both sides. If you walk the horse straight up to the jump and stop then you're teaching them to refuse.

I've also been told that if they refuse then you still have to make them go over it. Don't let the horse dance away or anything. Even if it has to jump from a standstill, DO IT, otherwise they may be tempted to refuse more.

Those are just a couple things I've been taught from different trainers in my life.
 
#4 · (Edited)
I never let a horse address a jump when they have refused. Unless it was the rider's fault (impossible distance, major steering fail, etc.), I'd tap hard with the crop behind my leg, and try again, unless the jump is small (up to about .75m with an average horse), in which case I'd jump it from a standstill. If I'm going to try again, rather than jump from a standstill, I make sure the horse is in front of my leg and straight on approach, in a forward, positive canter. If the horse is really backed off to the fence or sticky on takeoff, I'd use the crop again. Stopping can absolutely not be an option.

If a jump is potentially VERY spooky, I may give the horse a chance to get his eye on it before asking him to jump it, but like the poster above me said, I wouldn't ever walk him straight up to it and stop, I'd just ride past it and let the horse see it that way.

ETA: I'm imagining the horse stopping right in front of the jump. If she's running out, then that's really a steering problem. Make sure you can ride her straight, between your hand and leg. If she's trying to run out, you can't let her get past the jump ever, until she goes over it. She can't canter past the fence and then come back around and try again.
 
#5 ·
Its kinda like she just says no im doing it, at that point I was unsure if giving her a tap with the crop and riding her forward foward foward during the reapproach is the right thing to do. I kinda feel like im constently naghing her with my leg. The first time I approach im just trying to make sure shes in front of my leg and aporoaching on a straight line.
 
#6 ·
Most likely the problem is the rider(no offense xD). Make sure your eyes are up, hands up, leg down, and your are sitting back. If the horse refuses walk him up to the fence, and if he will easily hang his head over that means he is not scared of the jump etc, and is willing to jump it. Come back at the jump but this time sit back more and add more leg. However if your 100000000% sure its the horse, as soon as he stops give a tap behind the leg and try again ! hope i helped :)
 
#7 ·
Hee hee no offence taken. Being honest u are prob right as I know i have a bad habbit of looking at the fence (never a good thing). A friend told me I shud be giving her a smack with the crop but I dont even ride with a crop so was hesitant bout doing this if its me who is causing the issue. Im hoping to have a few lessons in the coming weeks.
 
#8 ·
I had this same problem with my 8 yr old mare. We had a knock down, drag out fight about getting over a fence. Later that day I found out her teeth/mouth was hurting her. Called the vet right way. I felt horrible for days. :cry:
 
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