Driving to riding problems

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CathyQ

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Hi all,
6 weeks ago I bought a 20yr old Irish Cob mare from Ireland. I was told she had done some driving but had mainly been used as a tourist pony on the street on Kildaire, so was 'bombproof' in traffic and a guaranteed hack alone mare. Hmm...don't you just love dealer guarantees! So, yes she is bombproof in all traffic, on main roads and tiny country lanes, she is brilliant in company but she will not hack out alone and is extremely nappy. Each ride got shorter and shorter before she would plant and now I can't even get her to go forward in the field. I got someone competent and experienced to ride her for me and she too found her to be impossible to walk on once she had decided she had had enough. She is extremely safe though, she does not spin, rear or try to run back home, she just stops or very happily walks backwards for as long as I ask her to. I am now suspecting she has been mainly a driving pony, especially as she had studs on her shoes (now re-shod) and may lack confidence to hack alone with someone she does not yet trust. So, my question is, if this is the root of the nappiness, at 20yrs old, what chance is there that I can re-educate her brain to be ridden rather than driven? If she is just nappy anyway, has anyone got any ideas that I have not already tried, to get her to go forward? Thank you
 
No driving pony I know naps, they really can't because it is far too dangerous to nap with a carriage attached. Unless she was always driven in a pair for this reason, but I have rarely seen tourist ponies driven more than single. If she is a driver she should be very responsive to voice though, and may not respond to leg aids at all - my ex-driver certainly didn't! So if you haven't already try talking to her more, tell her to walk on etc in a firm clear voice and see if that is what she is looking for. Equally if she has had a big upheaval she might just be unsure of everything and need more time!! Of course this is all assuming there are no pain issues, saddle and teeth are all good etc.
As for re-educating, if you can retrain 20yr old riding ponies to drive then I see no reason why you can't retrain a driving pony to ride!!
 
I doubt this is the route of her nappiness, assuming she was driven singles, if anything driving cures napping IME. (not that it should be attempted!)
 
Thank you for your reply. What you say does make sense, so I think I will discount driving as the reason for her napping. I have tried using voice commands, but apart from instantly responding to 'whoa', she takes no notice of forward commands. I too think that it is a confidence/trust issue, as I have only had her 6 weeks. I don't understand why she hacked out the furthest the very first time I rode her, then the second time, she stopped sooner and has got worse ever since, I would have thought she would have become more confident with each ride, not less. A foot soldier makes no difference by the way, but I haven't tried someone on a bicycle yet. I had a fully qualified saddle fitter out before riding her, new shoes and a vet check. However, 2 weeks ago I had her teeth checked, and she has severe periodontal disease and has probably been in pain for a long time. So yesterday, she had her mouth treated at Leahurst and should be much more comfortable now. However, the surgeon was doubtful this was the cause of the nappiness, as she is also stubborn in hand and had to be reversed into the treatment room and into the crush! I suppose patient perseverance is the key, and I have all the time in the world for her. Thanks again.
 
Could it be the lack of blinkers? If she's mainly been driven I presume she would have been worked in a driving bridle which promotes forward really as that's all they can see! I know my driving pony concentrates more when he's doing his proper job (driving).
Maybe get a long/ schooling whip and give her a tickle on the bum instead of using leg, again if she's more used to driving aids she may respond more to this.

May be worth long reining her like this to see?

Have you tried a variety of noises with her, lots of folk use different noises instead of "walk on" could try clikcing, brrrr or kissing noises. That's all I can think of really :)
 
Thank you Meriod for your suggestions. I hadn't thought of blinkers, so will give that a go. A few people have suggested long reining, but I have no clue where to start with this, so I will try and find someone to help me. I had my husband in stitches, going through my repertoire of every 'go' noise I could think of...but to no avail. I have tried a schooling whip, but she either ignores it or goes backwards...she is Queen of the reverse motion! Thanks again, much appreciated.
 
Driving certainly doesn't cause napping, but I have a pony who drives beautifully and used to nap like a rotter (with quite a rear, for a little chap) when asked to leave the yard alone under saddle.

The cure (unsurprisingy) was a determined rider. A 'wip/***' rope can get the desired impulsion if they plant, and the 'deutche muhle' works if they're being bloody minded, rear or run back.

If you think she's genuinely lacking confidence, rather than beat her up about it, take her out with a friend on the ground or a bike.
 
Thank you everyone, lots of food for thought and things for me to try. I did try the determined rider and although she had partial success, Ella finally decided she would go no further, whip or no whip. Eventually, rather than give in to her altogether, I had to lead her to where we wanted her to go. So ended in an ok note, but not the 'victory' we were hoping for. I really can't work out whether it is confidence or stubbornness. But I am going to ride out with a friend for a while, to stop the 'battle' element on every ride. It is possible that she has rarely been ridden without being led, a typical tourist pony ride, it is also possible I will never find out what is at the root of her nappy behaviour. Thanks again all.
 
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