Dangerous napping

[Kallibear]

I am not a confident or balanced rider and have had bad experiences in the past. The more i try to make her go on the more wound up she gets. I end up getting off and walking her..

You've pinpointed your problem. You are nervous and therefore make her nervous.

You've got a couple of basic options. You either work to make yourself more confident and assertive, you stop putting yourself in situations where you need to be confident and assertive or you get a different horse who doesn't need you to be confident and assertive.

If you want to persevere with hacking alone then there's nothing wrong with leading her. Assuming you're confident with her on the ground. If you flap and dance around her on the ground, let her walk over you and get anxious when she messes about you'll just make it worse.

Tack her up and set off inhand. Once she's calm and relaxed and somewhere she's usually happy, hop on for a little bit. Get off if you become nervous but continue in the same direction. She won't see getting off as 'having won' because making you get off was never her intention. She desperately wants to go home so as long as she's made to continue in the direction you wanted, it's irrelevant whether you're on board or not.

You do need to think carefully whether you're the right rider for her to hack alone though. It will never improve if your own confidence doesn't improve. And getting someonr else to hack her out will only help for a bit. She'll be happy an confident with a stronger leader taking her out but if her nature is to look to the rider for leadership then it's YOU who needs to change

P.s you say you're an unbalanaced rider? Change that first!!! It will make you very nervous if you lack balance! Get lessons to improve your balance, possibly a more suitable saddle and if it's because you're fat, loose some weight.

 

[Redsara]

Just to update all the kind posters here-I had an instructor come out with me and she gave very good feed back. Apparently my problem is that I sit with a loose rein and relax too much when out hacking and the horse doesn't like the sensation and feels vunrable, afraid and has to take control. So they have given me strategies to reassure that im still with her and in control

 

[TarrSteps]

Just to update all the kind posters here-I had an instructor come out with me and she gave very good feed back. Apparently my problem is that I sit with a loose rein and relax too much when out hacking and the horse doesn't like the sensation and feels vunrable, afraid and has to take control. So they have given me strategies to reassure that im still with her and in control

Great news. Happy hacking.

 

[showpony]

My chap is a bit like that, likes to have the contact when out & about as he feels he can hold my hand a bit

Just to update all the kind posters here-I had an instructor come out with me and she gave very good feed back. Apparently my problem is that I sit with a loose rein and relax too much when out hacking and the horse doesn't like the sensation and feels vunrable, afraid and has to take control. So they have given me strategies to reassure that im still with her and in control

 

[spaceflower]

Wow, you've got loads of advice here, all very valid and you'll need to work out what's best for you and your mare.

The only thing I'll add is my chap used to be very nappy, we had limited circular rides and when a ride took us past a route home, boy would we have a fight. spinning, walking backwards, bunny hopping off his front legs, rearing...you name it. He then started spooky/napping at stupid stuff, like push bikes etc.

I then came on the H&H forum to read up for some advice, and followed someones suggestion...leg, leg leg. Don't let off, and don't let them turn for the direction of home, just keep your leg permanently on and strong. He would still attempt spinning, walking backwards etc etc, but then seem to say, oh go on then, you win!

I have since moved yards, and he's tried it on a few times, but kept with the exact same principle that as soon as he thinks about it, or attempts it, leg leg leg, just constant strong pressure. In fact he did this last week when a track had a full width puddle that he didn't like the look of - tried to spin, then backwards, but we got through and he got a big pat for being such a 'big brave boy'!

Like I said, just another few words to add to the list.

 

[applecart14]

If she is walking backwards then let her!! But turn her bum to the direction you want to go and make her walk backwards past whatever she is napping at. That way you both get what you want, but you actually win!