Help with napping please

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Tarbs

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Hi,

Can anyone help please?

Quick summary: got first horse just over a year ago, four months in horse had op to remove chipped bone, got laminitis from wearing a cast, box rest for eight months, very slowly brought back into work a couple of months ago.

Problem is that now he's a napping nightmare!

He is scared of everything except traffic (thankfully!), but bananas round drains, signs, litter, his own shadow etc. he plants, tries to turn & today he napped the entire way out & back. Put in a small rear/buck combo on the road too. He wasn't like it before & was bought as a steady pony suitable for a novice.

I really need some advice on how to build his confidence. He's not as bad when with another horse but does keep stopping.

Ps. Back, teeth, saddle all been checked.
 
You are correct in realising that his confidence has gone and needs rebuilding. I have just gone through much the same, long box rest, stressed horse, complete lack of confidence when coming back to work and he had to walk for weeks, not easy when they over react to everything and hardly relaxing for the rider either.
I went out only in company, getting him to take the lead once we had been out a while, gradually he led for pretty much the whole ride but could take a lead past anything really worrying. I put running reins on just for extra control, when he ran off down the road with his head up it enabled me to steady him without holding too much the rest of the time they were also useful if he really wanted to turn I could keep him where I wanted more easily, I was very firm with him but gave him time to assess the "dangers" before getting him past then praising when he went, the rider needs to be very on the ball, quick to stop the wrong reaction, turning away from the scary things, as well as quick to praise when they go forward. He has now regained his confidence, is not wearing the running reins and today escorted 2 others out as nanny horse, it has taken several months of riding 5-6 days a week, he is now fully recovered physically is fit and just about to be back in full work.
 
Hi be positive,

I had the best ride today! Hacked out with two others and he didn't nap once. He was looky and a touch spooky but a million times better than yesterday. Also found that scratching his neck along with talking to him helps relax him (I do usually chat away to him but the hand on his neck every so often seems to help).
Like you said, I'm going to be patient and hack out in company taking lead once he's relaxed for a few more weeks and ride as often as possible. Only once he's more confident will I try to go alone again.
That's for your response & advice. Really appreciated.
 
You could try long reining? It's how we got our nappy pony out without injuring anyone! (He'd rear over) I can now long rein out of the yard and past the entrance without going back in. It also helps increase the horses confidence in themselves done kindly.
 
Tarbs said:
Hi be positive,

I had the best ride today! Hacked out with two others and he didn't nap once. He was looky and a touch spooky but a million times better than yesterday. Also found that scratching his neck along with talking to him helps relax him (I do usually chat away to him but the hand on his neck every so often seems to help).
Like you said, I'm going to be patient and hack out in company taking lead once he's relaxed for a few more weeks and ride as often as possible. Only once he's more confident will I try to go alone again.
That's for your response & advice. Really appreciated.
Click to expand...

That's good news, sounds like you are taking the right approach! Going out in company will help him get his confidence back, and I also like taking them out for walks in hand, as it takes away some of the worry for me and helps them to have someone on the ground.
 
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