Introducing my new horse and question about napping horse

[Joanne_Stockport]

Hi all,

I bought my first horse (Badger) in October 2013 but he went for schooling the first two months and then moved to my current yard about a month ago.

He comes from a riding school and not used (as far as I know) to go hacking (was only used in the school while at the riding school). Before buying him I did go hacking (in company) a few times and he was fine. Now at his new yard, he is fine when I go hacking and my husband is on a bike (or if there is someone on foot). However he is napping a lot when I am on my own (keeps turning back) and I also been 3 times with another horse/rider but the other horse too is not very confident so it doesn't help much. The first two times were not as bad as the last time (where we ended up going in circles all the time !). I think he would be fine with a confident "lead" horse but I have not had the chance to try yet.

Things I have tried so far:

- If I feel he his going to turn around (always on the right !) I try to block him with my right rein and show him my crop.
- If it's too late and he already has turned I make him turn more in the direction I want to go.
- When he listen and go straight I pat him and tell him "good boy" !
- I try to be firm but patient
- If we end up just going around and around I would go off him and lead him in the direction I want to go then go back on him later.
- I try to get him to trot if possible as he normally turns while walking.

I am trying to figure out a circular route as I think this would help.
Any other tips?

ps: sorry about my English, it's not my first language !

My cheeky boy:

 

[splashgirl45]

he looks like a good type... sounds like you are doing ok so far, just make sure you turn him the opposite way and dont allow him to complete a circle, so if he turns to the right you use your left rein to stop him and make him go back to the left. hope this makes sense.....you havent had him long and he has changed homes a couple of times so he needs to get confident hacking out alone especially if he has never done it before.. you dont want to let him get away with bad behaviour but on the other hand you need to look at it from his point of view...in a rs with other horses, then taken away to somewhere and schooled, then to another yard and expected to hack out on his own with someone he doesnt know.....so its alot for him to cope with...im sure you will be fine as you sound very sensible...have fun with him!!!

 

[Joanne_Stockport]

he looks like a good type... sounds like you are doing ok so far, just make sure you turn him the opposite way and dont allow him to complete a circle, so if he turns to the right you use your left rein to stop him and make him go back to the left. hope this makes sense.....you havent had him long and he has changed homes a couple of times so he needs to get confident hacking out alone especially if he has never done it before.. you dont want to let him get away with bad behaviour but on the other hand you need to look at it from his point of view...in a rs with other horses, then taken away to somewhere and schooled, then to another yard and expected to hack out on his own with someone he doesnt know.....so its alot for him to cope with...im sure you will be fine as you sound very sensible...have fun with him!!!

thanks for the tip, we sometimes end up going in circles because I don't stop him in time once I turn where I want to go. Will try to use more the left rein so we don't end up going around and around !
Yes I understand he has been through quite a few changes lately and I am going to be patient but I don't want him to start getting bad habits that might be difficult to get over !
We had some issues in the school too but this seems to be ok now so I am happy with that !
He is very good on the ground, very friendly and he likes to be groomed.
I took five weeks off work to have time to bond with him (I was going to see him almost every day)...so I feel we are starting to have a bond now but obviously it takes time...I think I will either go with my husband or a confident rider for a couple of weeks and maybe try again on my own when I see that he is more relaxed.

 

[Maryann]

Some horses respond well to being allowed to eat a few mouthfuls of grass at the furthest point from home

 

[Joanne_Stockport]

Some horses respond well to being allowed to eat a few mouthfuls of grass at the furthest point from home

ah yes that could work as he is very food orientated !

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Try to only ride circular or lollipop shaped routes. It was turning on the spot that really encouraged my mare's napping. I also had a few riding lessons with a good instructor which helped loads.

PS - he's a handsome chap.

 

[Joanne_Stockport]

Try to only ride circular or lollipop shaped routes. It was turning on the spot that really encouraged my mare's napping. I also had a few riding lessons with a good instructor which helped loads.

PS - he's a handsome chap.

I think lollipop shaped routes would be easier to find if I want to avoid roads (for now) as much as possible so I will try that.

I have regular riding lessons as I only been riding for 1 1/2 year ! He seems to enjoy jumping and he is very good (just need to point him in the right direction!) as I only started jumping not that long ago.

I think I'm in love with his blue eyes and very long white eyelashes.

 

[Joanne_Stockport]

 

[Fides]

Welcome! Lovely boy! Where abouts in Stockport are you? I'm in Marple.

 

[Joanne_Stockport]

Welcome! Lovely boy! Where abouts in Stockport are you? I'm in Marple.

thanks ! I'm in Heaviley (about 10 minutes from Marple) but I keep him on a yard near Dunham Massey (good hacking).

I used to have a part loan in Marple.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Blue is definitely his colour.

 

[splashgirl45]

sounds like you are doing all the right things, when you first try on your own go on a short circular ride which you have done before, maybe do this route a couple of times with company and then the next time do the same one. try to be really relaxed and a good way is to sing . i know it sounds odd but it will relax you and take your mind off him a bit....i know because it worked for me.....lots of luck with your lovely boy and keep us posted...

 

[Joanne_Stockport]

sounds like you are doing all the right things, when you first try on your own go on a short circular ride which you have done before, maybe do this route a couple of times with company and then the next time do the same one. try to be really relaxed and a good way is to sing . i know it sounds odd but it will relax you and take your mind off him a bit....i know because it worked for me.....lots of luck with your lovely boy and keep us posted...

thanks for the tip! I hope nobody is around when I start singing

 

[fatpiggy]

thanks ! I'm in Heaviley (about 10 minutes from Marple) but I keep him on a yard near Dunham Massey (good hacking).

I used to have a part loan in Marple.

That's funny, I live in Davenport and used to keep at Dunham too - cost me a fortune in petrol 2 x per day, 7 days a week!

 

[Joanne_Stockport]

That's funny, I live in Davenport and used to keep at Dunham too - cost me a fortune in petrol 2 x per day, 7 days a week!

Yeah petrol is not too bad, he is on full livery. I have been almost every day in the last few weeks as I was on holiday and it cost me around £20 / week in petrol. I did buy a small car that is very economical ! I was looking at the Marple/Poynton area but could not find any places available or was not suitable.
Also as I work in city center Manchester I though it would be more practical to go for Dunham Massey.

 

[Echo Bravo]

Start off slowly with him, just ride him out for a short trip and turn him towards home when you are ready and he's relaxed and you also and then start to take him a little further when you are ready. I did this with my old boy many years ago and in the end I could ride out on my own anywhere I wanted to go and I've done it since with my youngsters when they are unsure of themselves and look for trouble.

 

[Joanne_Stockport]

Start off slowly with him, just ride him out for a short trip and turn him towards home when you are ready and he's relaxed and you also and then start to take him a little further when you are ready. I did this with my old boy many years ago and in the end I could ride out on my own anywhere I wanted to go and I've done it since with my youngsters when they are unsure of themselves and look for trouble.

Yes will do, maybe I tried to go to far on my own and he was not ready.
I will only go for longer rides when I have my husband on the bike (as he likes just to follow it) and I should be able to see soon how he is with a more experienced horse in front of him. Thanks !

 

[Joanne_Stockport]

My husband rides him too (good thing he is lightweight, we can both ride him !):

 

[cptrayes]

I think you are fine to do a tiny circle when he naps, as long as he ends up pointing in the direction that he tried to turn away from. Your English is great, and he is VERY striking! What amazing blue eyes.

 

[Joanne_Stockport]

I think you are fine to do a tiny circle when he naps, as long as he ends up pointing in the direction that he tried to turn away from. Your English is great, and he is VERY striking! What amazing blue eyes.

English goes worst depending how many glasses of wine I drink or how tired I am !

I think his eyes are amazing too, children seems to be attracted to him ..good think he is good with them too

Only thing is to try to keep his tail and legs clean...

 

[cptrayes]

I live quite close too - Macclesfield. I'd probably need a full bottle before I could even attempt your language

We have the leg problem, but not the tail:

 

[Joanne_Stockport]

I live quite close too - Macclesfield. I'd probably need a full bottle before I could even attempt your language

We have the leg problem, but not the tail:

You both look very happy on this photo...

I still need to experiment to see how I could keep everything as white as possible ( I think some people use a purple shampoo).

I am not sure exactly what I would like to do with him, maybe some in hand showing but I need to learn about it as I don't know anything about competitions.
I definitely would like to go on pleasure rides with him and just learn as much as possible

 

[cptrayes]

It was his third day of carrying a rider

If you still keep him where you are now, there is a children and beginners drag hunt meet from Maple Durham in the autumn that you would probably really enjoy.

Wilmslow Riding Club show ground is not far from you and they have lovely friendly open shows all summer.

Have fun

 

[cobmum]

I am moving back to Davenport in a few weeks!!

If you need someone to walk out with you whilst you ride give me a shout, when I get home I won't be working straight away so will be free and enjoy walking and being around horses (have dealt with nappy horses too so might be able to give you a few tips!)

 

[cobmum]

Gorgeous horses on this thread too!

 

[Joanne_Stockport]

I am moving back to Davenport in a few weeks!!

If you need someone to walk out with you whilst you ride give me a shout, when I get home I won't be working straight away so will be free and enjoy walking and being around horses (have dealt with nappy horses too so might be able to give you a few tips!)

thanks for your offer ! Let me know when you are in the area and we could maybe arrange something?

Where are you moving from?

 

[Joanne_Stockport]

It was his third day of carrying a rider

If you still keep him where you are now, there is a children and beginners drag hunt meet from Maple Durham in the autumn that you would probably really enjoy.

Wilmslow Riding Club show ground is not far from you and they have lovely friendly open shows all summer.

Have fun

thanks for the info

 

[Spot_the_Risk]

When you're hacking you need to keep his attention on you, and have him feel that you're the leader. I have a youngster who is very good but I do have to be prepared because I want to make things go right rather than have to correct them when they go wrong. I try to always look up, look as far ahead as possible and ride positively towards that point this keeps your chest open and your spine long, and therefore you're more on your seatbones. Ask him to work, he can do change of paces, work on the bit then a looser rein, leg yield from side to side in the lanes when safe, halt and walk on, learn halt to trot, always with loads of praise. Lovely looking horse, and I think the three of you will have plenty of fun which is the most important thing - we like riding to the pub, we always seem to come home faster than we went out!

 

[Laddy]

Lovely horse and horsey husband! How lucky are you!!

 

[Joanne_Stockport]

When you're hacking you need to keep his attention on you, and have him feel that you're the leader. I have a youngster who is very good but I do have to be prepared because I want to make things go right rather than have to correct them when they go wrong. I try to always look up, look as far ahead as possible and ride positively towards that point this keeps your chest open and your spine long, and therefore you're more on your seatbones. Ask him to work, he can do change of paces, work on the bit then a looser rein, leg yield from side to side in the lanes when safe, halt and walk on, learn halt to trot, always with loads of praise. Lovely looking horse, and I think the three of you will have plenty of fun which is the most important thing - we like riding to the pub, we always seem to come home faster than we went out!

I will keep this in mind, certainly the point you made about how to sit etc...as I know a "tense up" a bit when he starts misbehaving !
Sometimes it is difficult to make him work (on the road for example as all I want to do is manage to get to the trans pennine in one piece !) I did try once I am on the trail but often by this time he is already just trying to get back home..maybe I should be a little bit firmer.
I use my voice commands a lot with him as he really listen to my voice and it helps and I praise him a lot (every time he listen to me !)

Would love to do a pub ride with him when he is ready !

It`s going to be a lovely day today so my husband and I are bringing the bike and going on a circular route (4-5 miles) ..we shall see how it goes !