Horse napping in school

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missallym

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Hi, Ive had my horse 6 months now, he was very green when I got him and schooling was coming on great in walk and trot and him taking an outline. I had him at the first yard when I bought him, where he was in 24/7 as they had no winter turn out. I then moved yards where he was turned out. Ive been there just over a month now. he was ok for the first couple of weeks when we first arrived, but lately he has started napping quite bad in the school. As in running sideways, throwing himself about, bolting and bucking. its getting worse each time. Ive had his teeth and back done and they were fine, and the saddler is coming next Monday. Ive got him in a 3 ring dutch gag, tried on snaffle and on second ring and he misbehaves on both, he protests on the 3rd ring, but I seem to have a bit more control on that ring, but ive only used that a handful of times as I don't really want to be on the bottom ring. As the behaviour now doesn't appear to be pain related (still got saddle to check yet), and more like teenage tantrums (hes 7) hows the best way to get him out of this behaviour? if he bolts, should I try and stop him, which can be a bit difficult as he is very strong, let him run until he wants to stop, or make him run until I say he stops and if he tries to stop, I just push him on till hes tired out. going on a circle can be quite challenging, as he ignores my legs and runs sideways, the outdoor school is massive so I do have a bit of space to work with, but he can also pick up a bit of speed in there too. I am having regular lessons, and my instructor at first said to push him through it, but after the last episode, she is now saying we need to go right back to basics in walk, and to stay indoors as the school is smaller and more enclosed with no visual distractions, so he cant run off through any fences if he felt that way inclined outdoors.. I need to nip this in the bud before it gets any worse. I understand that moving to new homes twice in 6 months could affect him, and also now being out on spring grass after being cooped up for all winter but he needs to get this behaviour out of his head. any advice greatly appreciated. thanks :-)
 
How often do you school V hack? It could be he is protesting at going in the school 'again'! when perhaps some good fun hacking and a bit of jumping might be what he's after. At 7 and green I would be inclined (and im no expert trust me) to get him out and about having fun and perhaps putting in little schooling requests whilst on a hack?

Just a thought :o
 
I have a youngster which I have had for 6/7 months, She was very green and a bit nappy in the beginning (admittedly not in the school). I have been working, basically for the whole winter, on getting her to be happy and going forward. Hacking has really helped, and also going out with other horses. I keep my horse on a racing yard, and going for a canter with the racehorses every couple of weeks has been a very useful tool in getting her to go forward, and this has been really influential in the amount of schooling etc that I have been able ask from her. Good luck!

It has meant that even though I haven't been schooling her as much as I wanted to initially, the schooling that I do now is much more productive. You can see the progress here: http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/clas...age/flashy-dressageevent-prospect-430559.html
 
hmm yes I had also thought about death by schooling too. I probably school about 4 times a week, hack once or twice... maybe I should switch it round and see if it makes a difference.
we haven't got to canter yet in the school, we were just moving onto that when he started playing up.
I will check out your link Jess - thank you.
I will also start using more poles/jumps in schooling sessions to make things a bit more interesting for him.
thanks guys
:-)
 
This may be a slightly controversial answer - but having ruled out pain have you tried giving him a bloody good telling off? be that growling at him, a firm smack etc etc making sure that you are the 'leader' and that good behaviour is rewarded, but bad isn't tolerated.
 
I'm inclined to agree with Blackhorse- my boy is six and although we've been at our yard a while we have a new outdoor school which is one field away from and within sight/sound of our turnout. Because of my slightly odd working hours, I normally ride him on his own and have to fetch him in from the field to do so. If there are horses turned out he's very 'leany' in that end of the school and occasionally naps. He's mainly ridden western and is a bit insecure in English tack - one day a couple of weeks ago he was napping very determinedly to the turnout and although he's pretty sane, was whipping round or running sideways. I just had to work through it, growling at him and using lots of leg if he napped and sitting quiet (not making too much of a fuss of him) if he was good. He's had the odd moment since - such as when one of his mates started calling but has been a lot better. Yes, they do need variety, but they also need to respect you and behave when you do want them to work.
 
I would do more hacking and fun stuff and starting your canter work in straight lines on a hack is, in my opinion, the best option. Good luck and let us know how you get on :)
 
Is this only an issue in the school or does he do similar out hacking ?

Do you always hack with a buddy or does he go out on his own?

Do you know his history? Is it possible that someone else tried to school him previously and he has done this before?
 
Yes iv also gave him a sharp smack but whips freak him out so I dont want to scare him, but he does need to be told. Iv not growled at him yet though so might try that next time. His field is also right next to the school but he doesn't always go in that direction. Just whichever way we are pointing at the time. I, ll start making things more varied and cantering in straight lines to begin with. Yes I will let you know how things go. We,l get through it im sure. Thanks
 
When did you start using the three ring gag? I ask because we've got one who, if ridden only on a lower ring in that bit, gets worse and worse because he doesn't like the constant poll pressure. Perhaps try riding with one set of reins on the snaffle ring, and a spare 'for tantrums' pair on the bottom ring that you only pick up if he starts to misbehave?

p.s. my pet hate is people saying a horse 'bolts' when they mean it's sodding off with them...neither are nice, but there's definitely a difference! :)
 
ok, sodding off with me lol. no he doesn't do it out hacking. I generally go with someone, if I do go on my own, hes on his toes. The girl I bought him off hadn't really done schooling, she had him for 5 years, and when my vet went to vet him, and she tried to lunge him, he took off. We are working through that now as well, and he doesn't take off on lunge any more.
He didn't do this when I first started schooling him and he was coming on great. its just since we've moved yards.
He came with 3 ring gag, and i've just carried on using it. previous owner always had it on bottom ring and she was very nervous so I think he might have got away with a lot of stuff, but im wanting to get him on the snaffle ring and know hes going to be safe. I had thought about a different bit but im not sure which one would be best. One with good brakes if needed. I will definitely try the two reins though. Ive got a spare pair so will put them on.
 
As always, it's almost impossible to tell what the best solution is without experiencing it first hand

However, to me it sounds like this horse has had rather an easy time over the past 6 months and at this age, they get easily bored and need to be pushed, as should be more balanced by now. I would try really challenging him, keeping the schooling interesting with lots of circles, transitions, leg yield, change rein etc (I have found it helpful to use dressage tests). Get him into canter asap. Sometimes it's a bit scary to go into canter, but a friend of mine once advised me that getting them into canter straight away was a real advantage for jumping as otherwise they revert to trot when they are green. This has really helped to bring on my two, who I started with when young and green. Bits are a really science/art - I find it very tricky, but when you find a good one performance can really change, so it's just a matter of thinking what you need, trial and error.
 
I'm forever agonising over bits - is it the bit, would changing help, am I just riding badly, is he having a strop etc. etc. I second jessjc - work out what you want bit to do, then try some out. It helps if you have a horse with a conveniently average-sized gob, on a large livery yard :)
 
Have you ruled out something worrying him in the school?
I would do lots of groundwork in there, not just lunging, lot's of objects for him to explore and touch, I set up an agility type course and it really builds their confidence being in the school. I also ride with poles, barrels, tarps etc in there and use them as it keeps him occupied and never knowing what i am going to ask of him next. He is very smart and gets bored just doing normal schooling on it's own. My boy was backed in a full cheek french link and he played up so I switched to a NS starter bit and the difference was instant and amazing. A lot of people tend to go straight down the route of stepping up gears with the bit but I would always go back to basic groundwork and build up your bond and confidence, rule out pain and then go back to riding once you have a good relationship and he is working well from the ground.
 
I think your right Jessjc, I think he probably has had it a bit too easy.. so I will tell my instructor that we are taking a step forward, instead of back like she suggested, because if it is boredom, stepping back is just going to make him worse. he's a very intelligent horse, so as advised previously, I need to give him lots of interesting things to think about, both in and out of the saddle. I will use poles/small jumps on corners to help get him into canter. hes well balanced in walk and trot now so it shouldn't take him long to pick up balance in canter. I will have a look up on bits and see what I think might be suitable.
Its not something worrying him as hes done it in the large and small outdoor schools and indoor school. hes not spooking at anything that would maybe set him off. thanks for all the advice peeps, greatly appreciated.
 
Just another wee note to add- if he is tired already, he may well be less likely to p*ss off and concentrate more- have you lunged/free schooled earlier and then ridden later in the day when the 'edge' is off? Some do it just before they get on, but this can get their 'blood up' rather than chilling them out sometimes :-(
I think he might just be trying his luck to be honest... Has your instructor ridden him to see if he does it with her? You have definitely gone slowly enough with him, and I don't really know how you take a step back from just walking and trotting anyway, so push on and give it a try!
 
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