Building CONFIDENCE over jumps | Helping a worried horse relax

This horse often refuses jumps and gets anxious when approaching new obstacles, so my plan had been to show you guys how I worked through that. Unfortunately/fortunately, the training session went a little too well and I didn't really get to show what I would have liked to. I know that there are a lot of things that still need so much work, but my job was to get this horse confident and relaxed, and I think that's going very well for us.

[@727joe88]

Always wear a helmet when jumping! TBI's are no joke!!!

[@colleendonahuehorsestransf6674]

This was a great video 👍 thanks for the help.

[@Mustangsinfinity]

I needed this! Thank you so much!!

[@Mustangsinfinity]

And she has the most awesome blaze in the world!

[@kristastelling5251]

This was so helpful!

[@Layla_Horses]

My horse she sometimes “runs “ but then other times starts refusing before you are anywhere near it

[@user-uj1el3wo6c]

I have a mare who was a hunter jumper in the past, but she got injured so she couldnt be jumped for awhile. This is her first year back from maybe 7 years off of jumping, but she keeps refusing this one specific jump, its pink and blue but she will jump any other jump, so would poles/cavaleties help with that? She also cant jump more than two feet, but my old trainer would whip her if she refused, so now shes scared of jumps and whips

[@anetaforalova5795]

Hey i know im late but ill try. My horse will jump almost any height but i have to show it to him. If i dont, he stops.. i'm doing this for a year maybe and i feel it isnt going anywhere. I dont know how to build his confidence anymore…

[@NLKEquestrian]

Quick two questions! Do you have video of what you did with the cavelettis and ground poles? And how do you find the middle ground between letting them stop but also not letting them get away with it? I see that you let her stop but still spurred her over it, is that what you mean? My very green mare stops at every first jump that is not a plain white crossrail (she will go right over those). I am trying to get her to jump the first time but having a hard time figuring out the right way to get her to do so without causing more anxiety if that makes sense- right now I am the one who is kicking and chirping when she stops until she walks over it then gets a lot of praise.

[@Mustangsinfinity]

Sorry for so many separate comments… it won’t let me edit. What do you do if the horse “runs out” instead of stopping?

[@zacharias.horsemanship]

Are you asking what to do if the horse were to run off or get tight after jumping?

[@Mustangsinfinity]

@@zacharias.horsemanship Sorry! That wasn’t clear, I was asking about horses the duck out before the jump or run out to the side to avoid it.

[@zacharias.horsemanship]

@@Mustangsinfinity no, that makes sense. I should've got that. With a horse like that, I make break it down into smaller steps. I find out if they have the same response to cavalettis or ground poles. Often, even if they cross them, they're not 100% relaxed about approaching those either, and when the level of difficulty is raised, they just say no completely because they lack the confidence. If the horse is 100% confident over those two, without having to be micromanaged or pushed constantly, but they're still running out or dodging bigger jumps, I take away their fear by teaching them there's no pressure in approaching. So for example, I'll trot the horse up to the jump, he's ducking side to side, I just gently keep him between my hands and legs, and then let him stop at the fence, sniff it, explore, relax, breath...whatever he or she needs to do to bring the anxiety down about the particular obstacle. I'll do this a few times until that horse realizes their job is simply to get to the fence straight, stop and relax. Then I might ask them to jump it, or I may take them back and jump a smaller fence a few times. This might sound like the horse will learn to run up to jumps and stop, but it does the opposite, because I'm making the choice for her. I'm controlling the situation, I'm making her feel like I understand and won't put her in a situation that terrifies her. That in turn, builds trust.. and confidence follows naturally. So far, I haven't had a horse I haven't been able to restore confidence in. I don't claim to be a professional jumper or know exactly what I'm doing in that field, but I've been very successful in getting these horses to a point that the other riders or trainers can take them and begin schooling over fences once again. Hope that makes sense and answers your question!

[@Mustangsinfinity]

@@zacharias.horsemanship Thank you so much!! That helps a lot!!