Napping/bolting

LaurenM

LaurenM

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Hacked out early this morning hoping that the ride would be uneventful..no such luck :(

Said horse napped the whole way up the road (not unusual). Another rider passed us and said that she could see in his eyes that he wasn't happy but I've always thought it was him taking the mick?

Hacked him on (away from the other rider) and he napped to a gate, a few yards from the lane. I got caught via my reflective bib on a thick branch, whilst trying to hold him still and trying to free myself I heard a tractor coming down the lane. Managed to free myself in time as he was about throw himself infront of the tractor.

Full body shakes by this time, got off and decided to walk him up the lane (away from tractor) to settle us both down. Got halfway up the lane when I heard another tractor heading towards us. He tanked off - I was still walking so had to run after him. He was so hot and wound up that you could see the heat rising from him. :(

Where do I progress from here? Would most horses have reacted in this way?

I just want an uneventful hack but haven't had one for a while so it's taking it's toll on us. There aren't many people to ride out with but I feel that if I started hacking out with others all the time that I wouldn't have the nerve to hack alone.

P.S. Martin Clunes: Horsepower on at 9!
 
What a horrid experience you poor thing. My horse is not good at hacking out alone and because i was on my own a lot of the time it started to really un-nerve me. I actually eventually moved to a yard which was bigger (20 horses) and it has really helped to de-sensitise him as there is much more to-ing and fro-ing, so everything has become less of a big deal and he has stopped being on full alert the whole time.

The other reason for moving him is that there are plenty of other people to hack out with, I do one hack in company and then the next day do exactly the same hack alone. It is working really well and I have managed to hack him out alone for an hour and a half which is pretty remarkable given that it still isn't his favourite thing. I think you just have to persevere and there is nothing wrong with getting off if that works for you (it does for me sometimes!) I also find doing plenty of groundwork in the school so he can listen to your voice commands is very helpful, my horse is much happier when nervous if I speak to him along with ridden aids and he understands what he needs to do.

I can't say that we don't still have bad days, but we do have far fewer of them.

Best of luck to you, I hope you make a breakthrough soon

Beth
 
I'd find someone to go with that's really sensible, just to get some confidence back.

I went out for the first time with my tb this morning with a very sensible cob. Mine was very nervous but just tucked himself up the cobs bum and was very brave about things. He even went past canoes, roadworks and a bus (though he had a bit of a moment with the bus).

However, I know if i'd gone alone my horse would of been as difficult as yours to ride
 
There's around 25 horses on our yard at the minute but only about 4 are ridden, if that for various reasons. I was considering moving yards to have more people to hack out with but the grazing is so good at the yard and he's settled so felt selfish for considering it :(

His previous owner was very nervous and if he napped she would turn him home straight away so I'm trying to work through that at the minute. Argh!

I've never gotten off previously but I was shaking from head to toe and didn't want it to transfer on to him so felt safer to get off and calm down.

I'm not scared of him, I'm just unnerved by the tractors/lorries etc as they never stop and are so noisy so I can't blame him for wanting to go home - if that makes sense?
 
I feel for you! Have just got a new horse and took him out on Thurs for the first time alone. In company he is absolutely bombproof, but alone is a nightmare! he refused to leave the yard, it took 15 mins and my Sister coming to my aid, he wouldnt even be led, reversing is his trick, & he doesnt care whats behind either! Instead of a hack we tried to get just around a village green, needed to ride forcefully and forward, LOTS of leg, voice and a crop each time he stopped. We won in the end, though had a couple of hairy moments in the traffic! Trotted him twice past and beyond the gate and called it a day. He is new to us so we will start short trips, he will get better in time (im confident of that.)
Note- he isnt poorly/in pain, just stubborn!
I think napping can be really hard to deal with especially when they ignore your aids. Its so frustrating! Fingers Xd for you next time, perhaps stick to a short distance to start and then increase as he grows more confident. Could you go anywhere where they have tractors? If its an issue for him could you desensitise him somehow?
Could someone come along on foot or on a bike? I find having a helper on the ground can be a relief in a crisis!
 
Sorry for the late reply! I've started making him approach/sniff scary objects such as blown over bins to gain his trust. I've also been putting feed on the yard's tractor (engine off) to encourage him to sniff it. I will eventully see if I can turn the engine on and lead him past.

Latest update;
Hacked out twice in company on same route and he was so good tonight! The route is through woodlands, alongside a train station, through our village and then over the M4 bridge. This has already helped boost both his and my confidence. I figured that the more situations I put him in (gradually) the better he should get. I also aim to ride him alot more so he's used to going out too - even if it's only along the road.

Thanks everyone for the help! :D
 
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