Help needed with napping 4yo!

E

EMEventing2013

Member
Joined
25 April 2013
Messages
14
Visit site
Hi,

I have a 4yo Kwpn that I have had for two weeks now. He has been perfect in every way since he arrived. Works really well on the flat in the school where we have no problems at all with napping. I have hacked him out a few times in company and he has been as good as gold including going in front. However, today he was having none of it! He would not turn left out of the yard he just wanted to go right. every time I put my leg on he just rears! I can't understand his sudden change in attitude! He wouldn't even follow his friend, in the end I had to get off and lead him down the road into a field so I could get him to go forward without being on the road! In the end he went really well in the field, trotted and cantered away from his friend, went past her etc he had a small tantrum in one corner of the field but I just kicked him forward and he was fine. The main problem I have is that I can't turn him right, fine in the school or schooling in the field but he does fall out to the right. How can I get control of his right shoulder, other than riding squares!
He came from so yard where he had been out and jumped dc in BN classes, the rider said he was as good as gold, which I believe because up until now he has not put a foot wrong! Could it just be he has found his feet and is testing what hecan get away with?! Want tosortthisbefore itgetsany worse!
Also, I have had 4yosbefore but never had one that napped in company!

This is also in Nl.


Any help appreciated, sorry its so long!

Thanks
 
Will be watching this with interest as have a 5yo TB who does the same. Fine in company (takes a while to get his confidence but doesn't nap when there's another horse). On his own however, he will plant and not budge, wont go left, right, back, just plants. Does it going back towards home as well! Have found the only way to move him is to get off and lead him past the invisible object that made him stop. Sorry, not much useful advice but least you know you're not alone!!
 
Put him back in long reins for a while and deal with his napping and tantrums while you are on the floor.
 
I had a welsh who behaved like this he would plant himself just outside the yard , if I kicked him he would rear and if I hit him he would buck . Absolute nightmare ! If I got him away from the yard onto the bridleway he would pretend to be scared and try to shoot off home with me . It all got too scary in the end , he took a lot of my confidence with his unpredictable behaviour . I decided he wasn't the horse for me . Sold him to my friend who is a dealer ( very good !) she got some spurs on and away they went ! His behaviour improved dramatically with her ( prob cause she was very confident and he took a lot of mine) and she sold him on . New owners say he's very good hacking now , just goes to show he needed a lot of discipline
 
Did he turn 4 this year?
Tbh, if he's in a new home and has done quite a lot in his previous home then he is probably brain frazzled. I'd back off for a couple of weeks and expect the problem to disappear. If you push now, you may turn it into an issue
 
Echo what The Mule has said.

Take a few steps back and just work on building your relationship. Don't underestimate the impact of a change of environment on a young horse. Do some in-hand work - long lining, as mentioned above, or maybe even just walks out in hand. Take some chill time, there is no hurry :)

Then when you're building back up, enlist the help of someone coming out with you on foot to nip any problems in the bud and lead the horse with you on board, if you can. Ideally make sure its someone the horse knows & trusts (which in itself will take some time to build in a new home). I am v lucky my OH always helps me with this with the young'ens..... I just don't see the point in pushing taking the horse on his own until he's 100% with just a person on foot, and even then for the first few hacks alone OH would come part way and then we'd "fly solo" by going ahead of him for bigger and bigger distances until we eventually go home without him :) The same principle would apply just as well for hacks in company, if that seems to be troubling your horse.

Don't forget also that your horse may be taking a little time to get used to the new horses he has for company, which could affect his confidence. Just in case, though, as it is unusual to nap in company, it could be worth doing the usual physical checks anyway.

For specific exercises on control of the shoulder, you could start work on shoulder fore (not a full on shoulder in but going in that general direction). You could teach it in-hand first, with in-hand bridle work (many classical instructors would be able to help with this).

Last but not least, if he's had a lot of work gone into him already, you could probably do worse than speak to his prior owners to see how much hacking he's done in company/ what he's been like, etc. They might have some useful tips for you.
 
Once he's a bit more settled and if he's still doing I've found the best thing to do is just sit there when they plant. Ignore any unwanted behaviour I.e trying to turn around or taking a step back and any step in the right direction praise like he's just jumped round badminton. Eventually he'll get the idea. It may take hours at first but you have to be patient and keep the whole situation relaxed.

Also agree with kelpie, having someone on foot is excellent. When my boy didn't want to go we'd build up his confidence with my oh always in front then gradually he'd be behind then he'd go off completely and pony was absolutely fine. If he met something a bit scary and wanted to turn him I wouldn't push him would just sit and wait as described above.

The longest its taken one of my horses is 2 hours but another one decided in just 15mins it was rather boring and wanted to get on.

Hacking on your own as a youngster is a huge ask especially with a new rider in a new environment. If the worst he'll ever do is plant I think you have one cracking horse there.
 
What about trying ride and lead?
Or if it is possible, ride out in a group so he is more likely to follow the herd. When he is more confident, go back to a couple.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top