I bought an 11 year old non-raced TB this summer.  She was very fat and hot when I brought her home.  After loosing some weight and lots of time just riding in the countryside she settled down.  When I first started to jump her, she was very strong but quiet cross country our first time schooling.  Quickly, she started to run-out about 60% of the time at the first attempt to a fence.  Then I was told by her previous owner that she would run-out every time she wasn't exactly square on with the fence!  She has definately progressed as I focused on improving my steering and riding more confidently.  Later at our first horse trial, she became completely rattled in the stadium warm up area and wouldn't even turn to look at the biggest jump.  She was an angel when we did our stadium course and went clear.  The next day she was nervous in the cross country warm up (but not as bad) and then refused 4 times and we were eliminated 3/4 the way through.  My husband starts a lot of colts and suggested sacking her out again and working with her on the ground more.  She was great.  No major problems surfaced.  Any suggestions on how to ride her better, excercises to do?  Perhaps I'm just trying to fit a square peg into a round hole!

Have you laid "guiding poles" on your stadium fences?   I.e. one pole on each side resting on the top rail of the jump creating a chute to the jump's center?  Sounds like maybe she has had a bad wreck?  How high are you jumping her?  Could it be she feels overfaced or in pain at a certain level?

Yes, I've used guiding poles.  When she runs-out she ends up jumping them or knocking them down.  I've only been jumping her 2'6" (beginner novice) in competition.  I've pretty much decided to start from scratch over the winter and just jump cross rails to build her confidence.  I'm not sure about her history, sometimes it feels like she is being disobedient more than being afraid but it's hard to tell.  Regardless of the source, I do think she needs to be consistant jumping smaller jumps before I go back to jumping anything bigger.  We are going to a Jim Graham cross country clinic on Sunday, so wish us luck!

 Oooooooooo, good clinic, have fun!  Cross rails are a good idea -- keep it small and easy until she is extremely comfortable.  Make sure you stay relaxed too -- it sounds silly, but its very important that as you ride towards the jump you visualize a successful jump and keep your eyes up and on a point on the other side of the fence.  Any tension and anticipation from you she can smell from a mile away.  If you can, I'd mention it at your clinic and see if you can get some feedback from a pro, too!