How to deal with serious napper!?

Christmas Magic

Christmas Magic

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Hi everyone!Problem there and getting bigger.If in past he been napping only whe i tryed to take him out ,now its getting worse and not safe at all(well,it wasn't safe at any time).Been riding him in the big field today,and half of the time i spant fighting with him,he wanted to go closer to his field,an i didnt.No brakes at all.Took off in the middle of the field with Hudsonsdad on the top,who after gallop to the gates decided enough is enough and had strangling dismount:)as horse didnt really wanted to stop.Ok,swap places,my turn.Absolutely the same,bolt,canter with no brakes and just dont listen me at all,like im not there.Similar situation everywhere,im not dare to even think to take him out,riding only on the yard territory(still some roads and cars).I am so tired of fighting every day,i just want to go there and ride my horse,but no!:(:(:(
 
Sorry to hear you're having problems! To ensure there are no underlying problems, I think it would be good to get the horse checked over by a vet and also have their back and teeth checked. Something as simple as some sharp points, hooks or ulcers in the mouth could be the cause. Do you know a riding instructor local to you, or someone that you trust to help?
 
Have a look at Jason Webb on Horse Heroes, he has a totally different approach with a napper and bolting although I don't think you have a true bolter, he's possibly running away from something, pain somewhere? Do get some help before you get hurt.
 
You need to find the cause. If he's getting worse then he's learning that he can get away with it. Check his back, tack, teeth etc. If all comes back ok, when he tries to nap spin him till he settles and then spin in the opposite direction till he settles again.

I had to send my napper for reschooling in the end. The trainer had him going nice but he had already learnt that he'd beaten me. He's now going on loan to someone that wants to school. Luckily mines a dope on a rope when schooled. Maybe you could consider a schooling loan home?
 
it sounds as if he's running FROM something. i'd suspect the saddle first. i'd try him bareback with someone experienced leading him, if he's calm then they let go etc. if he's fine, try a different saddle, one you know 100% is fine. don't listen to a saddler, "Master" or otherwise, listen to your horse, he's trying to tell you something...
if saddle is fine, get vet, and get his back and teeth checked, and get the vet to see him on the lunge on both reins with no saddle on, see how he's moving etc.
once vet says he's 100% fine, and saddle etc is all sorted, if he's still being tricky get someone experienced to help you with training etc.
hope you can get to the bottom of it. seriously, listen to your horse, he's telling you something.
 
We had his back checked,vet checked him mont ago(like horse mot,blood test etc.),teeth checked but due soon again,his saddle not right for him,so we bought treeless one,where nothing can pinch his shoulders or hurt his back.He does have bite marks on his tongue,lady from our yard said its stress.I dont know what else to think.I know its new situation and new yard for him,but i only wanted to walk him around the field we been riding previously couple of times.I have person who looked at him last this week,she said its no connection between bit and brain(?)and she said just walk and maybe trot him till she see us again next thursday.I wanted walk only,not crazy canter not looking where his going.While someone walking next to him on foot,he more or less ok and calm.Im fighting with his napping since we got him actually,but as i said in past it was only if i tryed to take him out alone.Now its in the yard itself.Im so frustrated and sad.And sorry if its difficult to read my posts ,english my second or even third language.:)
 
If everything has been checked physically and given the okay, then you need to take things slowly and form a trusting relationship. If he's racing across the field to get to his mates then it is an insecurity issue and can only be resolved with you being patient and following a regular routine in regards to his training. Is there an enclosed area you can ride and get him focused on you? Ground work is fantastic for getting to know each other and gaining trust. :)
 
LaurenM said:
How long has he been at the new yard?

Have you tried remouthing him?
Click to expand...

Its his second week here.What you mean by remouthing,pls explain.
I done quite a llot ground work,walking,turning,backing,stretching exercises,poles.He is ok on the ground.He is ok in the school(indoor),but hate outdoor dressage one,running away from there.Im not very experienced rider and he is my first horse,so its much harder for me then for more exp person to work with him,especially if its something like his napping.
 
When did this all start? At the new yard two weeks ago? Was he OK before that? Did something change in his routine?

Although I have a treeless myself, they do not work for all horses and they can certainly pinch and hurt some of them. Did the problems start with the new saddle?

What bit is he in? Have you tried him in anything else? Does he stick his head in the air, maybe a running martingale might help.

If you are a less experienced rider what happens when an experienced rider gets on board? Will he stop if you put him on a large circle and let him get on with it? Might be an idea to get a professional specialising in problem horses to give him a full assessment.
 
If theres nothing physical then i would put him back on the lunge/long reining for now and certainly stay away from open spaces. Sounds like you and him need more miles on the clock togeather with you becoming in control of him. If riding stay in the indoor school for now untill you do a bit more schooling with him and have more control with him do lots of basic stuff like transitions and lots of them. I also suggest you look for a instructor for some lessons to help you too.
 
No,problem was there all the time,and getting worse and worse with time.At the mo he is at hanging cheek french link,i tryed in dutch gag and then I did had brakkes,but the horse person who saw him said put hi m back to hanging cheek,and work from there instead of changing bits to stronger one.Only major change(apart from moving yards)is he didnt get hes only feed in the morning,but get in in the evening when we get there.We having saddlefitter to refit his saddle on tuesday,but we been told what his saddle dont fit him at all,is why we bought treeless.I dont know,i dont know who to believe anymore.We had intellegent horsemanship specialist to work with him and been told one,now its another more traditional working person,and she telling another.I dont want to give up or sell him no way,i want to find what the problems with this one!Unfortunately our budget not endless,and I want to spend money at what is really going to help,but at the moment it feels lik,e one step forvard,two steps back!
 
Was he seen by a vet after you found out his saddle did not fit him? An ill fitting saddle can cause long term pain which is not necessarily aleviated when you change the saddle. You vet need to assess the damage, recommend any treatment including physio and then you can look for a new saddle.

What did the two instructors advise you to do?

While I am not generally in favour of stronger bits, if you can't stop him you have to either keep him in the indoor for now, get someone to school him for you or use a stronger bit that works. I would also say a different bit is not necessarily a stronger bit, he may just prefer a different kind of snaffle, e.g. if he is getting his tongue over the bit, panicking and taking off, a ported snaffle could solve all your problems (this is pure speculation though, you need someone to see the horse and advise you on whether this or something else is the case).
 
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