Question # 78: My mare is one of those anticipating, sensitive, a bit anxious types. Its usually pretty easy to manage but combinations and grids can be more than she can manage. She gets overwhelmed by them.
It's not physical, since she'll react the same way to cavalettis, cross rails, or bigger verticals. It's almost like she jumps in and worries that she can't get back out, so she runs out to the side. She is usually eager and confident to fences, but not combinations. She'll back off going into the combinations. I can usually tell we're going to have a problem, but it's hard to just kick her forward since she's got a long stride and she's been known to bounce one strides if she's rolling too much going in. If we've had a bad attempt or two, she'll start skittering sideways as soon as she's presented to the combination, so that's usually our cue that her brain has fried, and we'll break down the combination to get her confidence back. How can I get her more comfortable with combinations? (Catie)
Hi Catie!
This is one of those situations where a video of the problem would help me see exactly what is going on. But I do have a strong suspicion of what is going on! As I have seen this exact problem a few times before! When I tell you what I think is causing your problem, you may think that this is not the case. But please give the corrections a try, as I think you may be surprised! (Click on Question Title above (in blue) to read full answer)
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