Flippin nappy pony...

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Tabbi

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My pony naps, but the last time I took him out, he was fabulous to the point he was eager and hardly needed any encouragement......

So today I was hopeful of another day where I could see I was making progress with him...... We did not get out the first field, in fact we only just got past the gate of the field....... he just planted and refused, so we sat there and sat there and sat there..... but I think I know the reason, we had muck spreaders coming onto the farm to get to the next farm, so think this is the reason.

Just disappointed as really felt we had made progress with his napping and he was feeling more confident about his surroundings :(

Will just persevere with him cos his is great even tho he naps :) x
 
just wanted to say i feel your pain!

my mare can be a nappy bu***r and can be a right PITA!

perseverance is everything, i know how frustrating it can be especially when one day they give you that glimmer of hope! i don't have much more to add as am still feeling my way around this minefield too but seek and accept help where you can.
 
Nappy horses really are frustrating, I had to deal with one for 6 months last year, she was verging on dangerous at times as she was explosive with it.

She now hacks out without napping so it can be done, my top tips would be -

Lunge before you ride (if possible)
And then once on, if it won't go forward, make it go back!! Ask for forward again when you are ready, if it still won't go forward then back you go again. Praise even the tiniest step forward. (You may have to lead out of the yard to give you enough backing room initially, I had to take mine about 1/4 mile down the road before I got on).

Here's the full story with mine, it wasn't easy but we got there in the end and now we are having fun together so don't give up!!

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?633684-Wow-What-a-Year-One-Year-with-Missi!!
 
Wow what a pretty horse! :)

I will defo give your way a go, and see how he responds..... got plenty of time lol :-D x

3Beasties said:
Nappy horses really are frustrating, I had to deal with one for 6 months last year, she was verging on dangerous at times as she was explosive with it.

She now hacks out without napping so it can be done, my top tips would be -

Lunge before you ride (if possible)
And then once on, if it won't go forward, make it go back!! Ask for forward again when you are ready, if it still won't go forward then back you go again. Praise even the tiniest step forward. (You may have to lead out of the yard to give you enough backing room initially, I had to take mine about 1/4 mile down the road before I got on).

Here's the full story with mine, it wasn't easy but we got there in the end and now we are having fun together so don't give up!!

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?633684-Wow-What-a-Year-One-Year-with-Missi!!
Click to expand...
 
We have a lovely horse just like yours - sometimes he can be brave & other days not so good - we are trying to work out way through it - he loves fun rides so get him out as much as possible - hate shows so don't take him, we have a good day & then a bad day - we are hacking him out with others & letting him go lead when happy to do so - we will get there , but I feel your pain !!!! tomorow we are long lining him, they will get there , good luck xx
 
My Marjorie was a dreadful napper. So for the 1st 6 months, I longlined until she was through it. Then I got on. After another 6 months she finally stopped bucking or planting. Don't get me wrong, she will now still try and take the shortest route if she's out on her own and occasionally I get ears back, but it's rare and means she needs a change. It will take time but keep going!
 
Sorry don't want to hijack thread, but someone has suggested we start to use spurs on our horse as it may help when he plants himself (he's not keen on a whip) I'm not too keen on the idea as he's only 7 - what our your opinions ??
 
Not a fan of spurs, know they have been used on my boy by previous owner, and my boy does not like whips!..... if I take one out with me it makes no difference if I give him a tap with it, he ignores it!
I go with the whip whop method and finds that usually does the trick (although not today! lol )

pansy said:
Sorry don't want to hijack thread, but someone has suggested we start to use spurs on our horse as it may help when he plants himself (he's not keen on a whip) I'm not too keen on the idea as he's only 7 - what our your opinions ??
Click to expand...
 
I also feel your pain.
With Herbies napping it was always one step forwards three steps back (litraly) His napping was extreame and he would do it for no reason whatsoever. It got to the point where everyone refused to ride out with us as even with another horse he would nap. They could dissapear round the corner and he would still stand there rearing, bucking, leaping and spinning :( My only option was to get off and drag him along (most people don't agree with this method but it worked for us).
Herbie also ignors the whip, (he's obviously been beatern in the passed) but I found smacking my boot with the whip sometimes worked. Not shore Weather it was the noise or he thought I was a nutter hitting myself.
Anyway keep going it will get better, he's proved it can the other day. It's so worth it. Herbs and I now hack happily for hours, trotting and cantering all over the forest which for the first year of ownership seemed impossable, it used to take 2 hours to do a 20min hack. He still has his moments and probably always will but those moments are few and far between and compared to the battles at the start are nothing.
Good luck with your horse. He's lucky to have someone who won't give up on him. :) xx
 
I ride one that used to nap terribly as she learnt it from an older horse and she was lacking in confidence on her own. Now not so bad. Still get some reversing into bushes but confidence is building.
We ALWAYS hack out with a whip, and a schooling whip at that. Means I have better control over the reins so she can't spin away.
Also, make sure they are pointing in the direction you want to go in .Never let them turn away. Eventually they will give in.
 
3Beasties said:
Nappy horses really are frustrating, I had to deal with one for 6 months last year, she was verging on dangerous at times as she was explosive with it.

She now hacks out without napping so it can be done, my top tips would be -

Lunge before you ride (if possible)
And then once on, if it won't go forward, make it go back!! Ask for forward again when you are ready, if it still won't go forward then back you go again. Praise even the tiniest step forward. (You may have to lead out of the yard to give you enough backing room initially, I had to take mine about 1/4 mile down the road before I got on).

Here's the full story with mine, it wasn't easy but we got there in the end and now we are having fun together so don't give up!!

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?633684-Wow-What-a-Year-One-Year-with-Missi!!
Click to expand...

Mine is nappy - am just starting to try hacking alone - have read this with interest and shall try your system - eek!!
 
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