Sooo, I've hit a road block. I've been jumping Wildfire and all of a sudden he doesn't want to anymore. He's refusing all the time! It's getting so frustrating. What do I do??? I thought we were flying to be champions, but now he's making me unsure of him.

He might have some sort of injury/ discomfort thats causing him to stop. You might want to get a vet to check him over to make sure theres nothing wrong, or at least check him over yourself for lamness, soreness, etc. because most horses dont start refusing so suddenly.

Do you take lessons? If so have you talked to your trainer about what he/she might think is wrong?

hmmmmmm maybe you should work him a little more harder in ur lessons. do some excersises with other jumps. if you dont already, wear some spurs if it makes u feel better and dosent bother ur horse. another thing... what do u do when u jump? just a single to and outside line? a outside line to a single? ur horse may possibly be getting bored with what u r doing. on more thing you may want to think about...has something happend with jumping that might of scared him? or maybe ur doing something and hes afraid something might happen to u...some horses are like that. hope this helped!

The first thing I did was have him checked out by the vet. I do take riding lessons, but I mostly take them on a different horse because it's at a different barn. I have brought Wildfire over there a couple of times. I asked my trainer and she came to the other barn to help me and she can't figure it out either. I can't use a crop because he was abused before I got him, and I have rounded spurs on my boots, but he doesn't care. I did fall off resently with him. We were going for the jump and one of the horses kicked the feeding tin in the field next to the arena and it freaked him going over the jump, but do you think it's because he's afraid something will happen to me??? He is very protective of me and doesn't really like anyone else. We were jumping a few singles and some bounces and lines. I try to mix it up with him. IDK please help!!!

Could it be confidence related? After a few falls last year I would kind of "drop" the horse I was leasing before fences and kind of just hope that he would go over. Your horse has to know that you are there with him. If you are unsure, he will know. You can be prepared for a refusal, but if you think "oh, he's going to refuse, I know it!", he probably will. You have to ride defensively and confidently.

Have you tried talking to your horse before fences? It sounds weird, and some will think you're crazy, but a firm "Get over it!" will let your horse know that you're serious and it will also reinforce your confidence. Everyone else may think this is kind of stupid, but it worked with my friend whenever her horse started randomly refusing.

Ahh, sorry if that sounds like a mean attack, heh. I know how much it sucks to be doing really well and then all of a sudden have a set back like that.

maybe he is just bored with jumping! horses wont do what they dont wanna do! try taking him on a trail ride or something, then try jumping him! i dont know, just a thought! but some how i doubt he is being protective of you. not saying he doesnt love you or what not but, i think with the bond you guys have, i bet he trusts you enough to let you take him into situations he wouldnt normally like to go. like jumping, he has to trust you to go over! i dont know, thats just my opinion. its hard to say cuz i have never met you or your horse!

If this is the horse you're planning on taking to the Maclay, I suggest you get some help, lol.

If you don't already have a train, get one. But Genetic had some helpful advice.

Yeah, but I've already given that up. Wildfire isn't gonna get there. I can't even get him over anything but 2ft fences

[quote]If this is the horse you're planning on taking to the Maclay, I suggest you get some help, lol.[/quote]

Dont make comments like that please, she is asking for help, not for someone to make her feel stupid.

I agree with genetic, its probably a confidence issue. How does he usually refuse? Does he suddenly stop right in from of the fence without warning, or can you feel him sucking back as you are approaching?

^ if ur doing well at shows in the eq lease out or ride a really good eq horse-dont let ur horse hold you back