How can I ride my horse properly again?

Hello!

'Looking' like you can ride is never something good. Anyone can 'look' like they can ride over a big jump, but it's rare you see someone actually do it right. Reason being as to why those few can do it right is because they take time and patients. Jumping big is practically nothing. I'd rather see a rider jump a cross rail correctly then jump a 5ft jump incorrectly. I can jump easily of any height and look nicely equated, but it doesn't in reality make it right nor fair to the horse at all. Especially when the horse hasn't had the right training nor rider. In jumping, it's not about who can jump the biggest with a pretty equated look. Sadly, a lot of riders think so. There should be more flat work involved than jumping for any hunter/jumper horse! Jumping 4ft or jumping in general on end can really destroy a horse even when they can jump big an fast. All the horses I jump are worked on the flat all the time!!

I watched the video of your cob jumping from the picture above. I'm going to crit a little, don't be upset. Take this as advice! In the beginning, your riding position in the canter was.. poor per say. What you were doing was 'rocking' which is a common habit in cantering for many riders. Your seat should be quiet, you should be sitting right back and not moving at all! That will allow your horse to relax and become more light in the front. I know his stride is big, I work a 16hh saddleseat Frisian! His canter his huge, but in order for your horse to feel confident you need to have a gentle, relaxed position.

As he came towards the jump, I could tell he was chased after it and unprepared. Maybe lower the jump to simple ground poles. Build his confidence and willingness. Rushing into jumps is a pretty scary thing for a horse new to jumping! Instead of trotting right back for it, I personally would have walked him, cooled him down, let him know he's okay and that he did try. I'd then walk him right to the jump, let him sniff it out and relax then turn around start off in a light canter or just a trot and try to move over it again. By racing back towards your jump, his confidence level is just going to drop more an more even when he clears it. When coming towards a big jump, they should stay slow and prepared if you get what I mean.

Work on strengthening your legs and pelvic area by doing simple exercises such as two point at all gaits with/without stirrups etc. on more mellow, trustworthy horses.

Definetly take up on a riding school, riding new horses with instruction! It will teach you new things and strengthen you as a rider so you can bring home what you learned to teach your own horses. It certainly helps, i've done it!

You've got a good seat, but jumping big or working with troublesome horses doesn't make you any better. I wouldn't call OTTB's crazy, just misunderstood. I've worked with several, their truly amazing animals! I think you simply need to work more on building and taking time on the little things instead of jumping towards big jumps.

Personally, what that cob needs is more flat work and confidence boosting! Since you work with OTTB's you should be familiar with the process of training, bringing confidence, building muscle, rounding and working down and low while being relaxed etc.

Good luck!