Napping horse- advice needed!

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ASBO Bob

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Hello,
These past few days I've brought my horse back into work, just walking round school etc. as he's had 2 weeks off with various injuries inc. splint. Previously I could hack him round the farm on our own with only a slight tendancy of his to walk faster on the turn for home.
However yesterday we got halfway out and he threw a massive nap/strop, spinnning and rearing for about 5 mins till Dad came and walked ahead. I found that trying to spin him straight back in the direction we wanted to go just lead to bigger and bigger rears and we even tried walking backwards and sideways in the right direction!
He has never reared with me before although I've only had him a few months and he is 5 so I'd rather this didn't become habit! The vet has checked him over recently and he felt more stubborn than scared.
Any tips for how to ride through this? I'm going straight back out later today hoping to nip this in the bud!
Thanks for reading this essay! x
 
Lots of things you can try with napping, but the biggest rule is make sure you win and you don't go home or where they wanted to go.

1) if horse wants to run back you can rein them back with plenty of leg until they get bored ( make sure its safe to do so and wouldn't really recommend that with a rearer!)

2) walk backwards past the place you are trying to go past

3) do loads of tight circles (spins) until the horse is disorientated and walk on past, literally 1 rein turns

4) Sit there and do nothing until horse gets bored and wants to move past object ( warning I have sat for over an hour) to be prepared to see it through

5) go out with a confident horse as use as a lead horse

I don't think getting cross with a napping horse and smacking will ever work, it will just aggrevate the issue.

This advice is all assumming its just fear/disobedience/naughtiness issues and not pain related or sight related etc etc, so it's always worth a full MOT if this is out of the blue.

If you do try the sitting still until horse gets fed up method and the horse edges away from where you want to go, make sure you put them back in the spot where you started.
 
Me again lol.. Also schooling is very good as then your horse won't question your authority.

Our 5 yr old decided he wasn't going to go on a certain ride a few weeks back was terrible, spinning,jumping on banks etc etc... we battled him on through then decided not to go on that ride for a few weeks as we didn't want to have to keep winning this battle, few weeks on other rides and went back to this ride and no napping now, they are strange cridders sometimes xx
 
Thanks, will try spinning him and if that doesn't work just waiting- we've got until it gets dark! You're right about getting angry with them not working, he just seems really up for a fight! Will report back how we get on ... fingers crossed x
 
Get yourself some professional help with this, not average instructor more professional rider or someone with experience producing horses.
Trust me this can become a habit so quickly.
My horse was similar to yours hacked out fine then one day flipped, still unpredictable one day totally fine the next really throws a tantrum. Pure attitude not scared of anything and all checks have been done.
I agree the worst thing you can do is turn for home, however you winning the battles doesn't mean they will pack this in completely which is why you should get some on going help with it.
So tips - Generally hitting them doesn't work just winds them up more, tight circles does eventually but if you cant manage that pull its head to your knee and hold it there for a while then let go and ask to walk forwards keep doing that until he gives in. When it is rearing ect just sit still keep forwards but be prepared when that doesn't work may bronc then rear.
Also try to avoid it going up/planting ect by sending him forwards try turning a jumping whip upside down and waving over his neck like a whip whop. That does send them on.

In addition to the above do a lot of ground work with him and schooling, if he only shows the behaviour hacking then go out with another horse but try keeping him in front or at least keeping leapfrogging so he has to take turns in going past the other horse.

If you need extra help try draw reins, not usually a fan at all but in those circumstances they can even the playing field for you a little and only have them in action when he is starts and let out as soon as he does what you ask.

Very best of luck.
 
I have a 5yr old who is nappy (it runs in her family on dam side). She's got much better through me jumping off and leading out hacking if we got "stuck". I'm afraid a fight with a mare in the middle of the road is asking for trouble so I find jumping off difuses the situation, keeps the forward movement going and our stops become less and less. Basically a 5yr old is either going to be lacking in confidence, trying it on or a bit of both! My youngster has got to the point where I don't have to get off anymore as the cycle of napping has been broken. Also try groundwork as this has helped with my horse, if they feel you are the leader they'll have more confidence in your decisions.
Hope that helps.
 
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