having a nappy nightmare

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seadog

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I moved my horses yard 4 weeks ago from a very large yard with limited hacking to a much smaller yard with only 9 other horses.
She has settled in amazingly, apart from hacking (alone and in company) which is a total nightmare, she spins and tries to gallop off back to the yard, I can sit to the spin and stop her after only 1 or two strides but can't get her to turn around and walk on (which I know is very bad) I dont think she has any pain anywhere - had her teeth checked about 2 months ago and I cant see any problems, saddle checked only last month just before we were moved and had her feet done last week. I have owned her 5 years and we've had the odd napp but nothing this bad, but we were at a yard with loads of horses and rubbish hacking so there weren't many places we could go, and where we could go was tracks and parks with lots of horses. So I can see why she's not happy with doing this as shes never had to do it before as the hacking is so different where I am now.
Not her schooling as such (well obvs hacking schooling) as she is perfect in the school, jumping and is fine at competitions including going away from the other horses at hunter trials etc. She definatly understands to move away from the leg etc etc but is basicly just saying F off I dont want to, and unfortunatly I dont have the skill to catch the spin before she goes the full 190 and then once she has turned for home she is incredibly difficult to turn back around and tbh I am far more concerned with staying on.
Hacking is not my faveorate thing (and obvs not hers!) but I would like to be able to go on some small hacks to unwind.
I'm getting increasing anxsious about taking her out now, which is crazy becasue shes never worried me before, but am feeling more and more like I cant deal with this on my own.
So, was wondering if any one knew of anyone in the West Sussex area that would ride my horse out to try an overcome this??? She's not dangerous and doesn't try and get you off at all, just wants home, but when she turns round I can stop her so I'm sure anyone could!!

Thansk for all your help, sorry it's so long, it's quite alot of waffle so hoping you can understand what I'm on about!
 
I undertand how you feel, it's new and scarey for you as well as your mare.

My mare was very green and spooky out hacking and she's getting better and better, but if we don't go out at least once a week she gets a little..um shall we say, on her toes. She used to spin and jog all the time, now we can have a relaxing ride out alone or in company.

Try to hack out every day. You can still school or do some jumping as long as you hack out as a reward for her working. If all you want to do is pop down to the end of the lane, then that's fine as you'll still be be getting her off the yard. You really need to put the hacking first and not as an add on. It's great for improving your working relationship with your horse anyway and you will see this in the school.

Repetition, repetition, repetition, that is the key and you will get there.

Good luck and enjoy your new hacking.
 
Great idea getting someone else to ride, here are another couple of thoughts ...

1. Sounds as if it is a confidence issue for both of you. Do you long rein? Get him used to long reining in the school and then take him out long reining for short 'journeys'. Being a wimp I would much rather deal with napping on the ground first!! It doesn't stop them napping but it does stop it becoming an automatic habit. Take someone with you if you are going out so it is all v controlled.

2. Even small things such as when you come back from schooling or whatever ride straight past the stable! So many horse really object to that because nobody has ever asked them to do that before and if you start to deal with the napping in small controlled situations then it is easier when dealing with it on a hack.

Good luck.
 
Could you arrange to hack out with another horse? One that is confident and well behaved. Sounds like she is nervous / anxious and the fact that you are too isn't helping. even having someone (your OH?) walking confidently on the ground might help.

what is she like to lead from the ground? would walking her out in hand be an option? - make sure you wear a hat and gloves and she wears a bridle.
 
I agree with getting someone else (instructor?) to ride her, going out with another horse and getting someone to walk besides you. All good ideas. One more: when she spins, try to keep her going in a circle so she ends up facing away from the yard when she stops. If you can do it with one circle, great; if not, do two. Then she'll learn that when she spins, it doesn't get her anywhere anyway.

But having said that, if you're not confident in the first place, she'll pick up on that and keep plugging away at your weak spot.
 
CBfan - Unfortunatly this is what she's doing with a sensible horse with her!

Really reluctant to keep trying by myself as I fear I may make things worse.
I do have instructor but she's recently had a knee replacement and won't be riding for a really long time if ever.

I'm Worthing way :)
 
Just looked at Michael Peaces website, it is pricey to have him come to you isnt it?
My problem is also napping - wont leave yard , would need to come to me. WOudl be worth it if it worked !
 
Just had a look on Michael Peace's website and am very impressed but then saw this --

A home visit is an average 2/3hrs and costs £240.00 (payable by cheque on the day) plus travel @ £1.00 per mile from OX5 2TF to the yard one way only.

Although I'd happily pay that to have the problem sorted for only 1 visit I think £100 an hour is just too much and I'd have to pay petrol from oxford to worthing on top, I just couldn't justify it...and what if it didn't work
 
I would go down the instructor route first, and just out of interest, could it be a pain issue ? I would also try a calmer in the feed, and takes things real slow at first, as making it an issue will make it harder.

Fwiw, my last horse was horrendous when i tried to hack him out alone, rearing, spinning, backing into walls, it was really horrible. When i really knew he was taking the p*** out of me, that was it - i went down the spur/schooling whip/ someone behind with a lunge whip route - used the spurs slightly once, and we got all the way round the block. not for the faint hearted. But needs must. But you are very far from that stage yet ! and i wish i'd known about NH then. sm x
 
seadog said:
Just had a look on Michael Peace's website and am very impressed but then saw this --

A home visit is an average 2/3hrs and costs £240.00 (payable by cheque on the day) plus travel @ £1.00 per mile from OX5 2TF to the yard one way only.

Although I'd happily pay that to have the problem sorted for only 1 visit I think £100 an hour is just too much and I'd have to pay petrol from oxford to worthing on top, I just couldn't justify it...and what if it didn't work
Click to expand...

What if it just worked in 10 mins. would you pay £300.00 the lady from the Horse and Rider feature is on BD forum and said ,she cried she was so happy the next day just to go out on a hack.:D
 
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