Dangerously Nappy Horse

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Chiefs_Rider

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Hi, there's a horse at my yard, Chief (nickname) who seems intent on not moving forwards. He's always napped quite a lot, although it's actually just a general refusal to move anywhere. If you gave him a smack and persisted then he would eventually go forwards.
A few years ago he started getting lamanitic. He's been on and off since, but his napping has gotten worse gradually, probably due to lack of work. He doesn't nap on hacks generally, only in the school. He doesn't nap when jumping or doing mounted games, but if you try and just trot / canter round the edge, he will. He's naturally quite sluggish so he doesn't really 'spin' as such. He normally just stands there until you get fed up of kicking and flick him or smack him with a whip. He'll then hop about or buck or try and move around and away from the whip. He will go fine when following other horses, except he'll buck into canter as well, which has unseated me. He is becoming really scary and unpredictable to ride. Also spurs do make him go forwards but sometimes make him buck (just plain Prince of Wales style) HELP!
 
There are so many reasons a Horse can nap.

Firstly have you had back teeth and saddle looked at?

If thats all ok, I would look at having some lessons with him, lots and lots of transitions to get him going off your leg nicely and lots of praise for when he goes forwards. if he is sluggish in the school and not leg responsive, you have no hope when trying to get him to leave his friends out hacking ;) try solo hacking with a person on the ground to help you and lead if needed. It doesn't sound like a confidence issue to me (although hard to judge without seeing it) but it sounds like he is trying it on. So if you need the walker to lead then do that. If he wants to plant, then let him, he will soon get bored. Or you can turn him in tight circles and then push him on. he will soon learn that not moving forwards=boredom or more work. Praise when he does walk on and try to make his hacks fun. Lots of transitions to keep him concentrating.

My mare started napping, she would stand and if I used my whip she would spin and run backwards. She soon stopped when I got off and lead, remounted and carried on. She learnt it was just easier to carry on and she hasn't done it in about 4 months.
 
Hi, thanks. His good being led, because it's a riding school and he often has small children on his back. The thing is, he's an angel for little kids! He has regular teeth and vet checks, which show up nothing. He's only about 13 hands but he's a chunky forester with a really strong neck which makes it hard to turn him at times. I will try letting him get bored, because he does tend to walk around fine when cooling down ;)
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He isn't currently lamanitic is he and not showing full signs? I know a pony who wouldnt walk on tarmac or rough grounds but would be fine in a field or at a faster pace. Turned out that this was first sign of lami and pulse, heat and physical signs would show after a couple of days.
Fine led but not with weight on back too.
 
I'd want to rule out pain first. The next thing I'd consider is whether he's just a very bored rs pony, who's sick of the school.
 
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