hunterseat
Posted : 12/23/2014 10:00:16 AM
He's bored. Probably a really smart horse. Why are you jumping when you ride Western? Why don't you just stop trying so hard. Just spend some low pressure, pleasant time with him. Go to the barn, groom him for a really long time, take him to the round pen, do some easy joining up work. Make a fuss over his progress, love on him, then quit for the day. Won't that surprise him? He might actually enjoy your visits. Bareback in the round pen isn't a bad idea. He's nippy when you cinch him because it's not comfortable for him. My horse did that. If he brought his face towards me as if to nip I'd rub his nose as if scratching him but I'd do it so vigorously he'd WANT to get his nose away from me.
You need to remember how important small steps and repetition are. Also he's not trying to be annoying and not listen. He'd rather you be a good herd leader if you expect him to want to follow you, be clear in what you're asking, be consistent, be patient. Never lose your patience (not on the outside).
I don't know what you mean when you go to work on jumping and he runs away from you. You let him go? He panics and flees? Are you on top of him? I'm thinking not. Why are you doing that?
When you say your parents are both endurance riders, can they not work with you and your horse? If not then please check out some training videos and get some ideas of things you can try. Take it slow. don't make him dread your visits.