Q: Why is my horse rushing fences?

Posted by Laura Thompson Sep 28, 2009

A Suite101 reader asks:

"Laura, I was wondering if you could help me with my horse. He is always rushing fences and I can't seem to get him to slow down and wait for my cues. He never refuses anything but he seems to think he needs to run at every fence just to get over it. Help?"

Rushing fences is a common problem in hunters, jumpers and three-day eventing. The problem is usually one of three issues:

1. The horse is excited when he sees fences and speeds up to get to it faster. Some horses love their jobs and get a little over exuberant.
2. If your horse is under-muscled, he might be rushing fences because he is afraid he won't be able to get over them otherwise. This problem is solved with endurance work and strength exercises.
3. Some horses turn to rushing fences because they are in pain (usually legs or back), and if they jump longer, faster and flatter, they don't have to arch as much over the fence. This problem requires a veterinary consult.
4. Rider interference is the last reason why horses rush fences. You might be unintentionally "goosing" him before the fence, which he takes as a cue to speed up.

Honestly, in most cases, a horse rushing fences is responding to something the rider has done. That is my experience, and it tends to be true with all training-related problems. One of the ways to test this theory is to have a trainer or riding instructor ride your horse and see if he is still rushing fences.

Make sure that, on the approach, you are as calm and unintrusive in the saddle as possible. Concentrate on keeping your center still -- if necessary, try hopping up in your two-point so you can't "goose" him forward.

Additionally, work on developing your horse's top line and abdominal muscles so he has sufficient strength to jump nice and round. Rushing fences is often the result of lack of muscle, and your horse doesn't realize that speed doesn't compensate for energy and strength.