Here's the short story...My 10 yr old TB...had him for 3 years...in the entire time I have had him I have only seen him refuse a fence maybe 4 times...He is very brave...will jump a 3'6" stone wall without batting an eye. My daughter has been doing evening with him. Is switching to jumpers...been doing small shows no higher than 3'6"...always in the ribbons...

So...last night we go to the trainers for a lesson (new trainer- new barn but in general Flash doesn’t care about new places) He's fine on the flat...very relaxed etc.

Start to jump...and he flat out refuses the first fence...regular little vertical...in the next 15 minutes. He only went over one fence...dead stop at everything...started sucking back 20 feet away. Then planted right in front...

I have no idea what is going on...never seen him do anything like this...Any ideas...what should we do next? I am going to hop on him tonight...I ride very differently from my daughter...and we'll see how he is with me. At home.

1. Abrupt changes in behavior mean there has been an abrupt change in the horse's health.

There is a slight possibility he just hated that trainers ring or had a little bug or something...but that is usually wishful thinking.

Alternative therapies and chiro are great but, instead of throwing money at what might be wrong and hoping it helps, why not start by calling your vet and getting a workup?

This horse is 10 and has been working most of his adult life. Arthritic changes really kick in around that age and his hocks are a likely culprit. Even if he's back on track tonight, watch him carefully. If he starts loving the long spot, refusing to wait to get deep, rock back and power off the hocks, diving to one side at the base or skipping behind on his changes-look to the hocks.

A variety of other things may be bothering him up to and including his eyes.

I suppose it's possible he was just being lazy and in need of a stronger ride but ones that suddenly start slamming on the breaks usually have issues that need to be identified and dealt with.

What kind of maintenance program do you have him on for joints? How long since he's had a good health check? Lameness works up? X ray

I had a similar and heartbreaking experience with a very talented warmblood that I broke in and jumped up to a high competetive level. He suddenly started stopping after being exceptionally brave. I made the mistake of blaming my own riding, and not realising that if a brave horse suddenly starts stopping it is usually a physical problem. In his case it was his back that was out - apparently very common in jumpers due to the stress placed on their backs by the landing. I would try to eliminate all physical causes. Get a chiropractor to check him, as often there is no other symptom than refusals.

It took me two years to work out the problem and treat the horse correctly.

Yep same experience here.. usually a back issue. They finish the previous ride fine but usually on the last couple jumps aquired the "issue" and remember the painful pinch on landing.. and say no way..

Hi I was just wondering whether you have anything further to report on your horse's problem?

Shirley

Check with your vet, like everyone said somthing is wrong.....