Is it possible to cure a persistent napper?

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puddleshark

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In your experience, is it ever possible for an ordinary (non-professional) rider to take on and cure a horse than naps persistently?

I'm not talking about a horse or pony that maybe tries it on once to see if their rider knows what they are doing and then gives in - I'm talking about a horse or pony that whips round or runs backwards at any excuse.
 
Yes providing you are confident and have regular lessons...I don't see why not. In my opinion, curing a napping horse is more about patience and persistence than riding ability. This is of course assuming there in no pain involved in why it is behaving like this??
 
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Yes providing you are confident and have regular lessons...I don't see why not. In my opinion, curing a napping horse is more about patience and persistence than riding ability. This is of course assuming there in no pain involved in why it is behaving like this??

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^^^^ that.

Before you start trying to cure anything, you need to know if there is anything underlying this - so if you haven't already done so get all the normal checks done - back, teeth, tack etc.

Then be confident, patient and firm, and get professional help if you need it. Do you have a confident nanny horse you could ride out with, if you haven't tried that?

Also as with anything be sure that you are setting realistic goals, obviously it depends how bad thngs are but a starting goal could be as small as walking to the end of the drive without a nap, and build up, or you will get demoralised.

But get those checks done first if you haven't done already, because if the horse is in pain then you won't get anywhere, and every time you try to ride out and unwittingly cause more pain you are just reinforcing the horses idea that it should try to run home as quickly as possible because going out is bad.
 
Yes agree with everyone else (i.e make sure there is nothing wrong healthwise/pain related).

I would take the whole situation and break it up into little parts. I have said this before but would recommend getting Richard Maxwells books (they are seriously good and easy to understand) I wouldn't go out for a hack and just try and deal with it there and then. I would gain trust, respect by doing groundwork (as in Richard Max's books) and there you will see all sorts of things pop out that will show you more about the ridden aspect.

Like i said before, i would take each stage at a time and this will help build up and work on the bigger pictures.

Goodluck.x
 
I'd be very very wary..

I have a mare that winds herself up on the way home so much she'll stop, spin a quater turn and then run backwards at such speed she's a danger to herself, rider and traffic. She only does it once in a blue moon but its so dangerous when she does. I thought as she hadn't done it for months she was over it but one day right out of the blue she did it again, then no problem for months and she did it once more. I took the very sad but sensible decision not to ride her anymore.

I also owned a gelding who would spin when he saw something he didn't like and then refuse to turn to face it. I worked out that he'd turn on the one rein but never on the other and then if you gripped him tight and sent him forward he'd pass whatever it was. He never totally got over it but as I knew how to deal with it it became less and less of a problem and then he virtually stopped doing it.

So in sumary, always hack out with a friend in case you need a lead past something or in case you run into difficulties and stay safe!!
 
Mine used to be terrible on her own. She is an ex racer so was used to going out in groups. She would hack happily with another horse. I used to ride to where she napped, tried to push her forward a few times, then get off and lead her for a bit. Then i would get back on and repeat the process. It was time consuming but it worked. I didn't see the point of getting into a big fight with her. I have also found that the more she hacked out in company and got to know the area and the routine, that she was much easier to take out alone. Now we go out without any problems. Patience is def the answer imo.
 
Depends on the horse, I agree. I have cured many people's failed horses over time and confidence and determination have done it every time. But I bought a Dutch Warmblood three years ago and the only person I would ever allow to hack him out is me. He is the only one I have come across, but he is a totally incurable napper because he is geniunely terribly frightened by anything that changes. Genuine fear you can only go so far with. Napping caused by previous weak riders will disappear in double quick time.
 
please be careful if ur planin on buyiNG A napper. When i first got mine i could hack him out alone, and he would only nap if we got somewhere where i wanted to go one way him the other, then he refused to leave yard. he would buck rear smack u against walls bolt back to his stable what ever he could to avoid going out. Now hes started to get a problem to hack in company, he is dangerous. He has never won an agurement but it has taken hours before and dangerous!
This doesn' just cause a problem hacking but also at shows going into the arena, during lessons and i doubt i;ll ever be abe to go cross country on him
Be very wary and remember until they get used to place they wont be so nappy!
 
i hate to be the voice of doom but if its a persistent napper i don't think that they are ever 'cured'. i think with hard work and patience they can get a hell of a lot better but i am of the opinion that once a horse has a nappy personality/tendency then they always have it as a default option. the grey in my siggy was VERY nappy when i got him (rearing, bucking the lot) I worked really hard - taking him out to lessons, competing all the time etc and he improved loads- he was very successful at intro and PN BE. but he still was capable of being nappy and would sometimes revert at events for no obvious reason- its why i sold him in the end.
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yes when i bought taz he napped all the time untill he was used to doing what u asked him to he was an angel when i tried him out just be firm and have a goal of what you want to do each time you ride a lot of long reaining done a lot of good with taz but it just depends how much of a confident rider you are
 
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i hate to be the voice of doom but if its a persistent napper i don't think that they are ever 'cured'.(

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I would agree, when talking about a determined, persistent napper who has done it for a long time. I have 'cured' many persistent nappers - to the point where they didn't nap with me - ever - but having been 'nap free' for 6 months of more, put another rider on them and they try it on!! IF that rider is capable - and can correct immediately and effectively, then they won't nap again with THAT rider, but will always try it on with a new rider!

If it's just a horse who lacks confidence and says no in a unknown/frightening environment, then they can be easily cured.
 
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