Trouble Shooting – Expert Advice to Avoid Refusals
How to Avoid Refusals and Run-Outs: Practical Advice for Show Jumping
When you enter the show ring, one of your first priorities is to get around the course smoothly, jumping every fence correctly and maintaining a consistent rhythm.
Missing a distance is disappointing, but a refusal or run-out can have a significant impact on your result.
If you have a refusal, don’t despair. It doesn’t mean you are a bad rider or that your horse is a bad jumper. It means you need to understand what happened and work on the areas that need improvement.
Top Tips to Avoid Refusals
1. Ride Positively Towards the Fence
The first thing riders need to do is ride positively towards the fence.
If you enter the ring thinking, “My horse may refuse jump four, just like all the other horses,” you are already anticipating a problem.
That expectation can affect your own confidence and riding, which your horse may pick up on.
As soon as you feel your horse backing off from a fence, sit up and establish a positive, forward ride.
There is no need for dramatic arm flapping or aggressive growling! Use your seat and legs to encourage your horse forward while maintaining a balanced and supportive contact.
The objective is to give your horse confidence and a clear direction.
2. Reward the Effort
At this point, you should be happy that your horse has jumped the fence!
In a show situation, you may have lost some points or placings because your horse backed off, rushed or jumped from an uncomfortable distance.
Make a mental note of what happened. Then, when you are schooling at home, work on similar fences and approaches.
Maintain a steady rhythm and repeat exercises that help your horse approach the fence confidently.
Sometimes your horse may jump HUGE! Remember to grab a bit of mane if necessary, stay with the movement and reward the effort.
Explore my riding lessons in Nova Scotia or get in touch to discuss getting back in the saddle.
3. Plan Ahead to Avoid a Run-Out
If you know your horse has a tendency to run out, you need to plan your approach.
Keep your horse straight and between your hand and leg. Imagine that you are pushing your horse up a narrow hallway. You want a straight, balanced approach with consistent boundaries.
If you feel your horse wobble to the left or right, use your position, seat, legs and reins to correct the line before you reach the fence.
Practise this at home over simple fences, cross-rails and poles. Repeat the exercise until your horse can approach and travel over the obstacle in a straight and rhythmic manner.
Run-outs can be associated with uncertainty, lack of confidence or an unclear approach. Try to identify what is causing the problem rather than simply correcting the run-out after it happens.
4. Prepare Your Horse for What You Might See at a Show
Before heading to a competition, prepare your horse for the types of obstacles you might encounter.
Bright birch fences, white gates and those scary-looking hay bales come to mind!
Introduce unfamiliar obstacles gradually in a safe environment. Give your horse time to look, investigate and understand what is being asked.
The more experience and confidence your horse develops at home, the better prepared you will both be when you arrive at a show.
5. Be Patient with a Horse That Lacks Confidence
If you have a horse that becomes nappy or reluctant on course, take your time and be confident in your riding.
A horse that stops moving forward or becomes hesitant may be uncertain, worried or overwhelmed.
Maintain a balanced position and use quiet, consistent aids to encourage forward movement.
If your horse spins or turns away, regain control and establish a calm, safe direction before attempting the fence again. Don’t get into a battle.
Your horse needs to understand that you are providing direction and support.
Don’t Overface Your Horse
If you are experiencing repeated refusals, run-outs or nappiness, take a step back and look at your training programme.
Are you asking too much?
Is your horse physically ready for the work?
Is the approach too difficult, or is your horse lacking confidence in the exercise?
Sometimes the best thing you can do is go back to basics.
Start with poles, simple exercises and gymnastics. Develop a solid foundation before increasing the difficulty.
A confident horse is more likely to approach a fence willingly and jump it successfully.
Remember, your job is not simply to get your horse over the fence. It is to develop a horse that understands the question, trusts your guidance and has the confidence to answer it.
Have You Overcome a Refusal Problem?
Have you had a horse that used to refuse or run out? What did you discover was causing the problem, and how did you work through it?
Share your experience. We can all learn from each other!
