At 09:01:31 on 26.07.10, Flicka wrote:
I've just had a terrible time at a jumping comp. My mare has been going so well so I took her to a venue she has been to before-it was a very undemanding course too- but even from the first practice fence she didn't want to jump. Her reaction was so extreme I gave her the benefit of the doubt, thinking maybe she was hurting somewhere, and even though I made her jump everything as calmly as I could it's left me feeling really down. Was she just having an off day? Was it something I was doing? Should I have reacted differently? I wondered if anyone else has had days like these, what turned out to be the problem and how did you get over it?

At 09:19:52 on 26.07.10, impacatus wrote:
Everyone have these days too, its just how it works out. Its really hard to tell if there is something you could do different without watching the round, though its sometimes the best to leave it and dont stress the situation out any more. The best is, as i allready told you Flicka, to leave the past behind and dont think about what can happen, but just focus on the task and ride with concentration. The best thing to do is to leave while something still is positive, and dont go around carrying this negative energy around. I can tell you that the horses can feel it! And it will be better next time, if it continues to be a problem, both showing and at home training, i would take her to the vet and see if something is wrong, but everyone has their days off. Most likely its nothing to think about! :)

At 18:41:40 on 26.07.10, ToriSilverson wrote:
yea i had one of those, it really freaked me out cos charlie is usually so enthusiastic but nothing bad came from it, it was just a bad day. i dont think ther is anything to worry about. mares can be very moody, my friends mare would not do anything for her if she was in season.

At 11:29:43 on 10.08.10, just_breathe_tee wrote:
My boy, who NEVER refuses, began to stop jumping. It can just be because they're a bit sore, or maybe they just dont want to jump. saddly rowie did have some muscular damage, but that was evident. so my advice is just give her some time. maybe a little break would be nice? rowie always seems perkier after a week of RNR

At 02:45:21 on 25.08.10, kibby wrote:
Sam had a shocker of an off day.. I think it was more my off day.. but sam wasnt in it either.. I fell off in the practise ring, AT A CROSS RAIL!!!! he saw a shadow behind it and thought it was to scary so upon landing we turned around.. then i retired in the jumping cause it was too scary and i couldn't control him. I personally went and had a cry in my stables (had also been eliminated for stopping out on my mare that had never stopped in her life, even with me hanging under her neck) so i got annoyed, then had my little sob in sams stables, then decided to get back on sam and go out the back and do lots of flat work.. and on the other horse one of our best riders (has ridden at weg) told me to pick myself up go back and get the mare and take her in the next class.. and gave me some great advice.. So i think dont be worried to get upset, but always get back on and finish on a good note, even if it is flat work out the back..

At 02:47:50 on 25.08.10, kibby wrote:
i dont think there was much advice there.. but hey, i fell off at a cross rail.. bound to make everyone else feel good about themselves.. lol

At 20:06:04 on 27.08.10, ToriSilverson wrote:
aww kibby sadly we all have our moments when we are like why did i fall off?! but hey it gives good laughs!

At 20:24:12 on 31.08.10, Natasha wrote:
My horse jessie would jump at her first show but her second show went around a few but then started stopping, she just wasnt up too it