Fox07
Well-Known Member
as title really: I have a nappy git of a mare and I have been thinking (and so has my instructor) that a good days hunting would do her the world of good- what do you think?
Is hunting good for nappy horses?
- Thread starter Fox07
- Start date
Kallibear
Well-Known Member
You could be talking about our mare, who is even more of a nappy witch!!
Hunting (well, common rides, which are basically the same) if anything made her worse. Her issue is around new horses making her stressy and clingy: she's alright going places on her own but becomes horrible clingy when there's another horse (or more) involved. She's not 'barn sour' (insistant on going home), she's just clingy to other horses.
The common rides made her worse if anything: she found the millions of horses too much and the 'running as a herd' too exciting. It HAS made her less aggressive to new horses (she's amazingly tolerant of horses running up her backside!) but she now gets very very excitted when she meets out groups of horses out hacking, which she never did before.
It would rather depend what your mare's issue is: if she's unconfident about leaving home on her own then hunting may well help her.
Hunting (well, common rides, which are basically the same) if anything made her worse. Her issue is around new horses making her stressy and clingy: she's alright going places on her own but becomes horrible clingy when there's another horse (or more) involved. She's not 'barn sour' (insistant on going home), she's just clingy to other horses.
The common rides made her worse if anything: she found the millions of horses too much and the 'running as a herd' too exciting. It HAS made her less aggressive to new horses (she's amazingly tolerant of horses running up her backside!) but she now gets very very excitted when she meets out groups of horses out hacking, which she never did before.
It would rather depend what your mare's issue is: if she's unconfident about leaving home on her own then hunting may well help her.
JenHunt
Well-Known Member
I guess it depends on why she's nappy..
I had a WB who was nappy, he just didn't go forwards and would use any little thing as an excuse to nap, and actually hunting him did him the world of good as he learnt to look after himself, to go forwards and to some extent to think for himself.
But, if you have one who has problems with other horses, like Kalli said, then it's probably not the best idea.
I had a WB who was nappy, he just didn't go forwards and would use any little thing as an excuse to nap, and actually hunting him did him the world of good as he learnt to look after himself, to go forwards and to some extent to think for himself.
But, if you have one who has problems with other horses, like Kalli said, then it's probably not the best idea.
Fox07
Well-Known Member
I have no idea what kind of 'nappy' she is tbh. I have taken her on a pleasure rides and she just wanted to be where other horses were regardless of whether she knew them or not, however when her 'Boyfriend' tried to take over her she kicked out. Dont worry, if I ever took her hunting I would make sure she wore a red ribbon!
JenHunt
Well-Known Member
sounds like it would be worth a try then - she may enjoy the company of other horses. Like you say though, a ribbon inthe tail wouldn't go amiss, a green one would do for your first time out if she's not normally a kicker.
bellatrix
Well-Known Member
I took my mare hunting (she had napped a little previously but nothing bad) and when i got there she was the nappiest she'd ever been!
But if you've been on a sponsored ride and she just wanted to be with the others then it would probably be good for her. Like JenHunt said, depends what kind of nappy she is.
Have fun if you do go!
But if you've been on a sponsored ride and she just wanted to be with the others then it would probably be good for her. Like JenHunt said, depends what kind of nappy she is.
Have fun if you do go!
Cuppatea
Well-Known Member
tbh, out hunting if your horse likes the company of the others you will have a much easier time of it than if your horse didnt like being aound others! It could well be the making of her but it may take a few hunts to see it. It may be hell the first few times but generally the more hunting a horse does the more settled with it they become.
L&M
Well-Known Member
The only problem you may have is if you want to go home and she doesn't want to leave the rest of the field!?
Only way to find out is try - hunting is great for my very lazy horse as he transforms into a pocket rocket, but still goes back to being lazy at home though....
Only way to find out is try - hunting is great for my very lazy horse as he transforms into a pocket rocket, but still goes back to being lazy at home though....
AmyMay
Situation normal
Totally transformed my nappy little mare. She loved hunting, and I loved hunting her.
She was very nappy when I first got her - and it all but disappeared once she started hunting. It was the making of her.
She was very nappy when I first got her - and it all but disappeared once she started hunting. It was the making of her.
Happy Hunter
Well-Known Member
I had a little napping mare.
HATED schooling, SJ and hacking alone.
One hack to a hunt day later - Little angel!!!
She appreciates the variety and has got so much bravery from it.
HATED schooling, SJ and hacking alone.
One hack to a hunt day later - Little angel!!!
She appreciates the variety and has got so much bravery from it.
Kenzo
Well-Known Member
Don't expect miracles, a good days hunting won't fix the problem but regular hunting is usually beneficial for most horses I won't argue with that, once they get into the swing of things.
If she's napping though, she's obviously avoiding work for some reason or is insecure about being on her own, so I'd of thought from an instructors point of view, working on that would be more helpful but certainly taking her won't do any harm if she's fit, presume she goes out with other horses and is up for a days hunting fitness wise?
Good luck.
If she's napping though, she's obviously avoiding work for some reason or is insecure about being on her own, so I'd of thought from an instructors point of view, working on that would be more helpful but certainly taking her won't do any harm if she's fit, presume she goes out with other horses and is up for a days hunting fitness wise?
Good luck.
ceva
Well-Known Member
It is excellant for a nappy horse, I took my very nappy mare hunting when she was young and the next day she went out for a hack all by herself and was brilliant, he can still be nappy at times but the hunting gave her lots of confidence, try and go quite often and then hack out the next day even if it is just a leg stretch. Good luck and happy hunting.
AmyMay
Situation normal
Not necessarily. Amy May had a mega nap in her. Nothing to do with pain, fear or insecurity. Just bloody stubborn.
Hunting and horse parties generally totally transfored her - practically overnight.
No point going round in circles in the school - when a good old blast across the country will show the horse all it needs about going forward..............
MissySmythe
Well-Known Member
That makes sense to me AmyMay!
We had an eventer in some years ago that was the nappiest b@~**&d on four legs - he could circuit a whole field backwards. Hunting was the making of him, although we had to adopt various strategies for him in the cross country start box. Hunting he never took a step back and went on to advanced eventing (with fingers crossed every time out!!)
We had an eventer in some years ago that was the nappiest b@~**&d on four legs - he could circuit a whole field backwards. Hunting was the making of him, although we had to adopt various strategies for him in the cross country start box. Hunting he never took a step back and went on to advanced eventing (with fingers crossed every time out!!)
Last edited: