If your vet recognized the sore back, your pony is not just fine. He may not show it at any time but when you're jumping him, but if he exhibited a sore back just standing there for the vet, I can guarantee that he's uncomfortable on the flat, too. Horses are very stoic about pain--they have to be so that predators don't pick them out as hurt, which makes them easy prey--and he was telling you he hurts with his behavior when jumping. The jumping exacerbates the pain, where the pain is not as bad on the flat and he doesn't indicate that he's in pain. For his sake, I hope you can get a chiropractor out ASAP.

 A chiro is definitely worth checking in to.  Often subtle issues don't surface until the area is challenged.  For example, when jumping, the extra motion could push an already existing discomfort in his back to a pain threshhold.  It could be just as simple as him being in need of a few adjustments.  Our partners are usually very clear when they tell us something is bothering them, it's good that you notice a problem and ask questions.  Please do let us know what you find out, there is always something to be learned!  :-)

thanks, you've been super helpful =] (unlike *some* people)

Something that has kind of been neglected to be mentioned is he's a pony. I know it's bad to generalize, but so many times people allow ponies to rush courses and fences, thinking they need to in order to make time. Also, most ponies are very agile which means they can turn on a dime, which lessens the crime of running in their minds. I am currently retraining a pony half your pony's age that has the same tendencies. He's been allowed to rush and it's a matter of teaching him that it's not allowed any more. His current owner also lost her confidence on him, as the same cycle as you've described occured. Perhaps having a pro ride him for a little while will help him and you (we have to remember too that ponies tend to stay sounder and live longer than full-sized horses).

As to what I'm doing with him, just trotting fences on a loose rein, over and over and over until he relaxes and continues trotting on a loose rein. I am up to 10 fences now, having started with just 2 a month ago, that we can trot. Soon I'll be adding canter. At that point it will be back to square one, but hopefully the new attitude of jumping on a loose rein will transfer over. It's a slow process, but I figure he's had years of rushing, I can take a few months to change that :)

Cheers!

The reason why I've been increasingly hard on you is b/c it looked obvious that you had decided--in your infinite teenage wisdom--that there wasn't anything really wrong with your pony if he was fine on the flat. That's not true, though. Just b/c he only shows signs of soreness while jumping doesn't mean that he's fine. Solaris said that, too, if you'd actually read what she wrote: "when jumping, the extra motion could push an *already existing discomfort* in his back to a pain threshold". The vet saw it, also. 

TheWizard11:

Ok just to be clear he is not in pain when I ride him. I would never ever ride a horse if it makes them uncomfortable. It bothers him if I land hard on his back when we are jumping. He is perfect on the flat. I'll have a chiropractor look at him and see if he should stop jumping but please don't think of me as a terrible horse person and owner for riding my pony when he's in pain because he's not

It is clear that your horse IS experiencing some sort of discomfort, i.e. sore back.  Something is causing that sore  back you need to find out what it is or your jumping problems are only going to get worse.  Likely to the point that your ponee will become unrideable.

You came here looking for advice.  Please don't get defensive when someone tells you something you don't want to hear.  From what you are describing your horse is in some degree of pain.  We are here to help, so please let us do that.

 

After your pony's soreness is resolved, you may consider switching bits if his charging continues.  A few eventers I ride with use hackmores b/c their horses get so powered up on xc, but you should consult with your trainer on that.  I think my trainer has advised you have to be pretty cautious with hackmores. Along with Katie's advice you may have your pony take a circle prior to approaching the jump to help slow him down.   Just pick one or two small jumps to work with.  I'm no expert on any of this, I'm just passing along what I've seen my trainer do.

Cantering to a jump and stopping him right in front of it will also help with rushing.  Please get his soundness issues figured out before you go any further.  So many things that people blame on behavior turn out to be pain or rider issues...

 Where are you located??

I suggest you have his back checked by a chiropractor (I suggest one over a vet because in my experience, vets can tell where pain can be or stitch wounds etc... but they're not as specialized in this area at fixing the pain.)  You have to make sure your pony isn't in pain either in his back or in his mouth.  I think having his teeth done once a year at his age is probably a good idea.  At least getting them looked at anyhow.

You need to fix the rushing issue, which would probably help increase your confidence over the jumps.  Practice lots of transitions on the flat.  Gymnastics as well would help.  Practice your strides with poles on the ground trying to keep the same cadence and rhythm.  You can do an entire course with just poles on the ground.  

Also if you're holding before the fence, then you're giving him something to pull against.  You need to learn how to get him lighter so he's on your fingertips vs pulling.  Transitions, serpentines, checking him from side to side, and lateral work will help you get him off the bit and onto his haunches.  You don't want him falling on the forehand and pulling you around but rather him to be light and on his butt so he can jump.  I mostly suggest asking your instructor to help you learn how to do the transitions or side checks and what lateral work would help you guys the most.  I could explain it on here, but you have a coach available who I'm sure can help you with your issues.  You just need to ask!  And if you don't feel they are helping, then it might be time to seek out a different instructor.  

 Boy, that does not sound like fun!  It sounds like your pony has some serious trust issues. I don't think he's happy and excited -- instead, he's anxious about jumping and rushing to get over and away. 

 Assuming that you've checked all the obvious physical problems that might exist -- poorly fitting saddle, bridle, bit, or girth; teeth or feet that need attention --I'd recommend that you start over with the basics, walking and trotting over single ground poles. Maintain a steady rhythm, and intersperse randomly scattered poles with your flatwork, so you perform lots of transitions (walk/trot, trot/walk, variations in speed/rhythm) with turns and circles. Keep a light contact, use a small crest release as he steps over each pole, and reward him with good words and pats when he relaxes and keeps the rhythm. If he rushes or anticipates, quietly turn away from the next pole (but don't do it abruptly; just focus your eyes on a turn and ignore the pole as you direct him around it).  Do plenty of downward transitions (trot to walk) both in front of and after a pole; again, don't wrestle with him, just ask quietly and if he still wants to rush, turn him quietly aside. When he does give you a relaxed response, reward reward reward.

This has to become almost boring. When he's listening and relaxing, shange the appearance of the poles WITHOUT raising the height or cantering. Add flowers, place a towel over the end of a ground pole, trot over a pole that's positioned between barrels, etc. Same stuff -- slow, steady, lots of transitions. 

Progress to cantering over the ground poles before you raise the rails...get the same quiet response, then move to actual jumps. Again, trot them first, then canter.  

Grids and gymnastics can also help your pony find balance and trust you, because in a grid you must loosen the reins and let him find his own balance without micromanaging. For more ideas, read my book, Jump with Joy.  It deals with troubleshooting many such problems.

Good luck!

Sarah Blanchard