following on from my post the otherday -napping mare on the way home

[catherine22]

We went out on sunday and she was an angel, excited but well behaved the whole way round our ride (in company) speeded up on the way home but was still walking so that was ok. Just down the lane coming back to the yard she just stopped, didnt want to move in any direction at any speed (usually she wants to get back at 100mph) but then wouldnt do anything, occasionally (twice) she turned 90 degrees on the spot didnt try and go forward in any direction.

In the end had to get off and lead her in (couldnt get back on as no mounting block!)
schooled her a little bit when I got back and she behaved well so called it a day

Any more ideas?! Am starting to dread riding her and no1 else is starting to want to ride her so we can go out in company with my other horse

 

[Maesfen]

At various stages on your route why don't you make her stand for a few minutes (until you say so, not her) then ride on. Keep doing that three or four times on each hack (but always at different places) and increase the time you're standing so you could be there fifteen minutes at a time. She should soon get the message that what you say goes. If she does plant herself, make her stay there too even when she wants to move on however long it takes and you could also turn her around to go back the way you came if it's the longer way home. Just make sure she gets no rewards for planting such as you getting off, make her work harder because of it.
It does take time but it's what the old nagsmen would have done as a matter of course, they never let the horse call the tune.

 

[Darkly_Dreaming_Dex]

^^^ Wot MFH said but with the addition of spinning the horse around in a very tight circle if they still wont go forwards after being made to stand still (as taught to me by an old nagsman- where have these goldmines of info gone?)

 

[FeatherPower]

Are you able to take another route home or change direction half way through the ride so that she doesnt anticipate the route you will take?

a 'wip wop' rope is a good thing as well, if you buy one it is a soft tassle ended rope that you use in front of the saddle, side to side over her neck. this offers gentle encouragement for the horse to move forward away from the strange thing making a noice/visual behind her. A scarf or other light weight, soft item - even a plastic bag would do - anything to create a visual/noice to encourage movement.