[SunnysMum]

My horse, an 8yo selle francais gelding, is an awesome jumper that i love more than anything. But he's always been SO spooky/tense. He constantly spooks at every-day things, and he is constantly refusing jumps in the rings at shows because they scare him, or something outside of the arena catches his attention and frightens him :shock:. I just want to be able to be as competitive as I know we can be if he will just quit refusing, relax at home, and calm down, both to make riding more enjoyable for both of us and to make him a happier, quieter horse for his own physical and mental well-being. I'm about to start him on SmartCalm Ultra, but I was wondering if there were other things I could try to calm him down and make him relax. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated

 

[waresbear]

A massage. Very relaxing. You could get one too.

 

[Alcatrazjmpr]

Have you checked if he has ulcers? A lot of worryers get them, and then they are even more worried about their stomach ache. See how the supplement works, if you are competing at the upper levels make sure it is legal for the circuit you are doing. Other things you can do is work on relaxing him when you ride. If he spooks, don't make a big deal of it, give him a pat and continue on. Jump everything you can possibly think of jumping at home. Make the scariest jumps you can think of and just jump them really low, get his and your confidence up! Good luck

 

[Skyseternalangel]

I have the same issue with my boy. Some days are better than others, but I find really taking the time to groom and teaching them ways to relax (lower head, release jaw, breathe, focus) then your horse will have ways to cope.

Mine is just convinced everything is out to get him, and I don't blame him.. but that has turned him into quite the calm noodle