First jump itis and adhd horse

[Ponyplusaninch]

I do this with my OTTB. He doesn’t stop at first fences but he has certainly stuttered and/or jumped from a standstill at first fences when not on the contact. Enters the ring like a giraffe who just had an edible. Lots and lots of leg. I work harder entering the ring–getting him round and getting him to give me an ear flick to let me know he’s heard me–more than any other time on course.

There is also merit to jumping it at a standstill vs. circling and going back to it. It’s not hard for them. It’s also not what I’d call fun for them. They do learn it’s more fun and easier to just canter it instead.

To me it sounds like he’s learned he can take a minute to get his bearings and it’s fine, and that behavior needs to be replaced with, “if there’s a jump in front of me, I should jump it because otherwise my rider will make me jump this from a standstill”***

***barring all medical reasons being ruled out.

[Farosh]

Idk I just think this is normal greenness that will go away on its own with experience and good riding. I’ve had a few horses like that that were persistent 1st jump stoppers for a period of time until they weren’t.
Assuming that the horse is warmed up properly and in front of your leg and all that basic stuff as you approach. Maybe bring something spooky to the warm up to practice over before going in.

Not everything is a big medical issue, sometimes horses are just nervous on show day, just like you, and then also get over it, just like you.

[Tini_Sea_Soldier1]

Time to just throw jumps at him whenever he least expects it… in your lessons… in your warmup… trotting… throw in a jump. Cantering… throw in a line… it can be cavaletti height, but something where he keeps his feet moving and remembers to listen to you, and not to what’s happening… before you’re headed to whatever it is that you’re throwing in randomly… throw in an exaggerated spur or a tap behind your leg for reinforcement. Do the same in a warmup class, as well… so he knows that the tap or extra spur coming out of the corner is the indication to pay attention.
If you have the opportunity to go to different barns, ship him over for a change of scenery. Go right in like a show ring and right to the jumps (warm up elsewhere), and if he stops or tries to stop… drive him through it… if he stops, don’t turn… have a groundperson quickly drop the rails and drive his ass over the rails… growl at him if you must to get him through it… and keep going so he’s never circling and reapproaching. Proceed and jump an outside line. Then walk out… and come back and do it again. one diagonal or quarter line jump and then an outside line. If he goes over it the second time… lots of pats and treats… and leave. It’s not about schooling the whole course, it’s about getting him to know that the stop isn’t part of the program and that he’s going “over” it regardless of height.
Another idea is to also do a few ground rails before warm-up jump… and ride that groundrail and look deep into the corner, not at the jump. Think about the same striding at your first jump… ride up to the 3 strides out (where your groundrail was)… and keeping riding the first jump like the out of a line or a combination. Horses are more likely to drop down or hit the brakes if you’re staring at the jump rather than staring beyond the jump into the corner where you want to go.

[NaturallyHappy]

One thing I just thought to mention… make sure you don’t hit him in the mouth when he does jump.

[TB_hunters]

That is hopeful to hear!

[TB_hunters]

He has been checked over and there are no medical reasons. Besides being ADHD if that is a thing in horses. Thanks for your thoughts!

[TB_hunters]

He raced for 6 years if that is what you are asking. He then sat in a field for a couple years and we have had him for the last year and a half.

I have done the tap with the stick at the in gate. I have even tried it on the approach to the first jump. I do think you are correct that we are missing some piece of his brain puzzle because as soon as he jumps the first jump he clicks in and is the easiest horse for the next 7 jumps.

I am starting to think he might need some sort of “focus” supplement/med to get through a few more first days without issue. I am just not sure what to try.

[TB_hunters]

Our local show does allow morning of schooling. I might try warming up in the warmup ring and then going in like its a show trip so I can make the first jump tiny tiny and make him go over it.

[Tini_Sea_Soldier1]

Yes! This is the WAY. Treat the regular division like it’s the second round and such. Part of it is mindset. In your head as your headed there… think about the corner AFTER the jump… everything about your body and your mindset should be… what are we doing next… if you hyperfocus on jump 1, it passes onto them. I had a first jump looker, so I understand that it’s harder than it looks… but once you get into that mindset, you’ll find that the attitude changes and they build off your confidence. In ticketed warmup/schooling… there is no stopping… it’s over or through… if you have a quiet leg, even consider putting on big spurs for that first round time, and a firm reminder when you turn to the jump… and then nail him if he balks. You know it’s just the first jump, so you can just turn your ankle outward afterwards once you get the point across.