Improving a horse's confidence

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Kiko

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My youngster (5 y/o warmblood) has real confidence issues when out hacking. He will not lead on a ride and just walks backwards (napping). I've started taking him out on the roads on his own once a week (literally only 15 mins) with someone on foot walking infront of him, he's absolutly fine with this and will not stop or walk backwards, just gets a bit tense and looks to the person on the ground for support. Am I doing the right thing? Will he eventually relax when going on his own and feel its not so bad afterall?

I'm taking him out on his own as he depends on the other horses so much and he knows they will take the lead eventually if he starts playing up, but don't want to push him in to it if its genuinely frightened. I have lessons twice a week to get him to listen to me more, do you think its just time and patience?

Any help will be appreciated!
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Were you the one that introduced him to roadwork - or was this done prior to your purchase?

All our horses are baby sat on the road for quite a long time as we view it as a major part of their education. Give them a bad fright - and they will never get over it.

We have been starting a three year old this summer. She is now confidently hacking out around the village with a babysitter, and will go in front happily as well as behind. She is particularly bold though. We also make a point of walking side by side when ever likely to be exposed to traffic. This not only gives the youngster protection, but helps with confidence and also teaches them that they don't have to follow all the time.

Your horse only 'knows' that another horse will take the lead as, quite possibly, you don't have people experienced enough to help you out properly. And by this I mean anticipating when a problem may arise. When he may time to look, absorb and take on board what is worrying him - before being asked to move on etc.

It's a real art - that so many people just don't have unfortunately.
 
he's been on the roads alot with company and before I brought him he'd been on the roads. He's fine with buses, cars, motobikes, bicycles, lorries all sorts! But he's just not very bold at all. There isn't a particular thing that he is scared of, he just worries himself and prefers someone to follow than go it alone. Could this be considered napping? Do you think I should push him into going? hmmph, its so difficult!

He's exactly the same when going round the farm also, bit its even more scary because of the hedges and rusling of trees etc.
 
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Could this be considered napping?

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Sounds like it. If he's confident with traffic - then he's just having you on by the sounds of it.

If you're not confident to ride him on your own - then get someone else to do it for you before it becomes a major problem. There is nothing worse than a bloomin napper!
 
had a feeling it was! wanted a second opinion though lol thanks so much for your help. Looks like im in for a few battles with him!
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It's such a pain. Amy was a napper - and whilst I cracked the worst of it, it always lurked.

Thumper has tried it on twice, and I must admit to comming down on him like a ton of bricks. I'm simply not prepared to put up with it. Luckily it was only half hearted with him, so absolutely no concern.

Good luck, I'm sure you'll sort it.
 
My horse is just the same, he will hack in company and will also hack with a person walking on the ground, I did this for a year but this did not make a difference to hacking him alone. I have a major battle every time I take him out alone. I have to walk off the yard backwards, and also do this at various points on a hack. He gets so worked up and tense he does not listen to any aids at all. He is also fine with traffic etc just naps at random points.

In company I can get him infront sometimes but usually only if I push in ahead in canter.

I am now waiting for a proffessional to finish off the job I started as im currently out of my depth and experience with it.

I am finding now that riding two abreast on quiet roads (when its safe) but keeping baron slightly infront, just so his head is infront of the other horse it working well, then I push him ahead on bridle paths. I find that the more I hack him behind another horse the worse it gets as he knows this is the easy way out. I constantly praise him when hes infront.

Its hard to say what to do as all horses are different and you dont know the exact reason he is doing this. I asked on here for advice about a year ago and have just been trying all different things.

I also find that ground work helps. I always walk at his shoulder when bringing him in etc so he is always leading, praise him etc so he is constatly getting used to being a leader and not a follower.
 
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It's such a pain.Thumper has tried it on twice, and I must admit to comming down on him like a ton of bricks. I'm simply not prepared to put up with it. Luckily it was only half hearted with him, so absolutely no concern.

Good luck, I'm sure you'll sort it.

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Yes it does sound more like napping than confidence on roads. I too come down like a ton of bricks whenever Beacon starts to nap, lol one day I had been schooling with 2 whips and continued to carry them as I headed off round the block, he attempted to plant his feet, he got 2 spurs in the ribs and 2 whips on him boy he soon shot forward.

You need to work on REALLY getting him off your leg in the school first tho and you must be VERY quick to release when he shows any signs of going forward, then gradually expect more forward before releasing the forward pressure
 
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