Napping and bolting

[Adoni123]

Hello all,

I'm helping a friend ride their horse. The horse has previously done short hacks alone. This year, however, he will nap constantly and try his best to bolt home or bolt home. Friend is obviously feeling nervous after this so have volunteered to help.

He's a nice boy but he is naughty. Just wondering if anyone had experience overcoming this? He has serious separation anxiety from his field mates so maybe it's unfair for me to say he's naughty but he is definitely a monkey. If you school in the next field over he tries his best to nap and bolt over to his friends.

He's 11 years old but I guess this is repetitive behaviour. He's pretty much perfect hacking with his friends. Goes in front or behind (although usually behind but making an effort to get him in front). He's not spooky, only spooks when the others do but on his own he's apparently a nightmare for spooking.

Trying to get to know him on the ground and will be taking him out for in-hand walks. Also being very no nonsense which I find difficult because he's so cute. Won't be attempting a solo hack for a while before trying lots of other things!

Any tips or advice?

Thanks

 

[kathantoinette]

How long has friend the horse? What’s he done previously?

There are plenty of v experienced horse people on here who I’m sure will be along to offer advice but I would say don’t be taking out a horse for in-hand walks who has separation issues. If it’s towing off home with jockey it’ll certainly tow of home without a handler!

Also, have you a dedicated schooling area in the field? Or are you schooling in the same area of the field that the horse has his leisure time? If so, I would start by fencing off an area in the field for schooling.

 

[Adoni123]

How long has friend the horse? What’s he done previously?

There are plenty of v experienced horse people on here who I’m sure will be along to offer advice but I would say don’t be taking out a horse for in-hand walks who has separation issues. If it’s towing off home with jockey it’ll certainly tow of home without a handler!

Also, have you a dedicated schooling area in the field? Or are you schooling in the same area of the field that the horse has his leisure time? If so, I would start by fencing off an area in the field for schooling.

Hiya, thanks for the reply. Had him for a few years but he’s done some schooling and hacking but not too much. He seems to be getting nappier as time goes on.
He seems comforted when someone is on the ground and he will hack alone with a human on foot, so was going to just take him short walks and some grass at points so it’s a positive experience. I went a very short way today and he looked quite chuffed but I do see what you mean and will definitely be cautious!
Thats a good idea, we only have little markers but a fenced off area does seem like a logical solution, I’ll find out how I can solved this