[Blaiz889]

I have my first recognized show in about 2 weeks. I'm showing training level and First level test 2. When I signed up for the show two weeks ago, I had been making tremendous breakthroughs in Blaiz's training. One of the best trainer in MN told us we had a 10 trot (and she's pretty tough to please). Blaiz was, for the first time, consistently on the bit and round.
But now, he's become resistant (will grab the bit and pull) and will poke his nose out and up no matter what I do. It's not a pain issue. Another well known trainer was talking to my friend about her horse, which has basically the same issue. She said, "When you fall into a rut like this, and you just can't seem to climb out, correctly used training aids can make a huge difference. I would recommend a type of German martingale to lunge/ride her in. Or even just side-reins would probably help."
My friend told me this and suggested maybe I start to use "gadgets", since I have a show in less than two weeks.
I'm a little unsure. I don't like the idea of a false headset. I know that with my particular horse, side-reins won't teach him to loose impulsion and let his hind legs trail out behind him. Any idea's on using side-reins or a martingale? I'm at a loss. I have some exercises I can do with him, but they haven't seemed to work like they have in the past. Any ideas?
Thanks.

[Rhythm 'n Blues]

This is a prime reason why you show one level below what you are training at home!

Since you're show is 2 weeks away, and I'm assuming you can't change your classes or back out, I would honestly go into with an open mind that you are there to learn and for the experience. Don't expect to place, but go for the feed back!

I wouldn't start throwing anything into the mix like gadgets unless you have someone there who is knowlegable in how they are be use properly and have had alot of sucess with them. Then you could try it and see if it works, but the last thing you want to do is make anything worse.

I really question the "no pain" thing if this is a new development. While it could be really slight, it may get worse as times goes on and it isn't addressed, or addressed in the wrong manner (ie forcing through it with gadgets)

[Chester]

Sometimes the best thing is letting the horse go long. Dizzy will jam up after a while of serious work then we just stop asking for anything but forward for a week or so. It takes the pressure off him and then he is ready to get serious again.

Could be worth a try for you.

In any case just remember to smile and look at it all as a learning experience for both you and your horse.

[mftx4]

My mare did the same thing. When her teeth were floated, the issues went away too. Just a thought.

[BriLeigh]

If something suddenly changes it is usually pain even if it doesn't appear to be at first. If you have been doing a lot of rounding and making him use himself properly then he is probably getting sore. Could also have something out of place, or it is just a rut.

I wouldn't suggest using gadgets right before a show, especially if you haven't used them before, because you can't use them then so why do it now to just temporarily fix the problem?

I would suggest taking a lesson or 2 before the show and see what you and your trainer can do with it. And like Chester said, he may just need a day or 2 of some nice stretching easy work.

[Andalucian]

I'm going to agree with the others that considering soreness issues would be worthwhile - I'd make sure the saddle's still fitting well, check the teeth, perhaps call the chiropractor (horses can occasionally knock something a bit out of alignment just "being horses" in the pasture!), etc.

But, coming from a different angle...

Is it possible you're a bit more tense about this show even than you realize? You mention it's your first recognized show, which can be a little intimidating. You also mention noticing some big improvements about two weeks ago when you signed up, and that your horse was consistently round and on the bit "for the first time" (which, along with your mention of "tremendous breakthroughs," implies this is a fairly recent development and not that he's been consistently round and on the bit for a matter of, say, a few months). That suggests to me that First Level Test 2, at least at a competitive level, is something of a reach at this point anyway.

First recognized show + test that's something of a reach = lots of stress, in my experience.

I have a lovely student who's been riding with me for several years. She has a delightful, well-trained gelding with a pretty good amount of show experience and an impressive show record. Most of the time, they tend to put out some great rides at home. But the weeks before a show, things deteriorate. Her horse gets quick and sticks his nose up in the air, she gets frustrated, and the whole thing gets kinda ugly.

She always insists she "isn't nervous," and I'm sure she thinks she isn't... if only because she doesn't want to admit to herself that she is.

But I can see the tension in her arms, lower back, and shoulders, and it's obvious her horse feels it. And she's generally showing a level below what she schools at home, two levels below what the horse is working consistently with me. I can't imagine how worked up she'd get if she were doing something that didn't seem easy to her.

In any case, if the problems are caused either by a physical issue with your horse or an underlying psychological issue with you, training aids are going to make things worse, not better. I think training aids can be great, particularly when you have a horse with all the "prerequisites" for something who just hasn't clicked with a concept yet, but that doesn't sound like the case here. Roundness apparently clicked for your horse at one point. Figure out what's changed.

[aboveparr]

Originally Posted by Blaiz889

I have my first recognized show in about 2 weeks. I'm showing training level and First level test 2. When I signed up for the show two weeks ago, I had been making tremendous breakthroughs in Blaiz's training. One of the best trainer in MN told us we had a 10 trot (and she's pretty tough to please). Blaiz was, for the first time, consistently on the bit and round.
But now, he's become resistant (will grab the bit and pull) and will poke his nose out and up no matter what I do. It's not a pain issue. Another well known trainer was talking to my friend about her horse, which has basically the same issue. She said, "When you fall into a rut like this, and you just can't seem to climb out, correctly used training aids can make a huge difference. I would recommend a type of German martingale to lunge/ride her in. Or even just side-reins would probably help."
My friend told me this and suggested maybe I start to use "gadgets", since I have a show in less than two weeks.
I'm a little unsure. I don't like the idea of a false headset. I know that with my particular horse, side-reins won't teach him to loose impulsion and let his hind legs trail out behind him. Any idea's on using side-reins or a martingale? I'm at a loss. I have some exercises I can do with him, but they haven't seemed to work like they have in the past. Any ideas?
Thanks.

Have you tried long reigning him? Put the long reins through a surcingle and the outside reign above his hocks that way he is encouraged to bring his hind end under himself and it is like using your hands as reigns rather than side reins. Also, if you have to use side reigns on him do tons of transitions. I used to get him to slow his trot way down then pick it up then slow it down the canter then come back to a slow trot then a walk then a canter from a walk. I just did that because the transitions make him get under himself. Plus, if you notice he is steady in side reigns and looses it when in saddle you know that something is going on w/ your own position, because side reigns teach the horse to be steady in the head carriage w/ out a bouncy hand or rider. You could try to make sliding side reigns so that he can also stretch downwards. Just some idea's.