Tuesday, August 21, 2012

What's with the refusal?

We all know it, pretty much anytime there is a little misshap like the one we had on Sunday that 9 times out of 10 it is the person on top that had the issue. So I am not going to make any excuses but I do want to disect the cause. Because the only way we can make that a true learning experience and hopefully prevent that in the future is to find the cause, disect it then build from there. The first and biggest problem with the whole thing started long before we ever even stepped foot out on the course. #1 reason: Steady has not been faced with even one line or oxer since our IEA HT at the first of June.  That was over 2 1/2 months ago!  HUGE mistake and oversight on my part. So that bobble I felt 3 strides out from the 2 stride line was Steady thinking, "um, what the shit is that?" I know he knew he had seen something like that before because he is smart enough for that but I also know that the first time he knew that was coming was three strides out and cantering toward it he did not have enough time to process how he was supposed to get through it. See I got to walk the course I got to step out the strides and examine the fences. He is a confident horse but he is also a green horse and I feel I failed him big time in not properly preparing him prior to showing up at the horse park to be ready for any 2 stride line. I could tell that refusal was %100 him just not knowing what to do. That is why he jumped to the right immediatly upon landing part A.  That was his way to deal with the confusing question, to just get around it so he didn't go through it. Bottom line "failing to prepare is preparing to fail" and that is exactly what I did, doh. Next time Steady I will be better for you.

And I will leave you with this showing to all the world what I really am for not better preparing my partner.  A Big Ass!!!

4 comments:

  1. It's a lot for them to process. Poor Steady probably felt awful about the whole thing. These TB guys are so sensitive.

    Better luck (prep!) next time. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Looks like just a moment of miscommunication which is going to happen. He is still green - as awesome as he is, we all (people and horses) have our moments :) That pelham looks like it really helped you otherwise, from what I saw of the round before the unplanned dismount. We need to go to a show together before the end of the year my friend! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. True true SB and he did feel awful. I kinda loved the pouting in the corner of the stall afterward :) at least I know he cares.

    Karen FO SHO!! When? Where? The pelham did the trick. There was no racing uncontrolably what so ever. You can tell that is a bit annoying to him because he does some nose flicking but if you watch the video it was such the perfect amount of control for me. I had enough brakes that I didn't have to constantly puuuuuulll back which aloud him to get his nose off of his chest and watch where he was going. It is a definite keeper for us! I will be happier with more release though I want to make especially sure not hit him in the mouth now.

    ReplyDelete
  4. It looks like to me that you came at the first fence at an angle or took the corner too sharp, but I know nothing about jumping so I could be wrong. It seems like he just didn't have time to process what was going on. It happens. I'm just glad you weren't hurt. :D

    ReplyDelete

Steady and I love your feedback, so don't be shy!