napping in the school & out hacking!

[ed&arch]

I have had my fell pony for about four weeks now, and he is lovely, well...
He is the sweetest horse you will ever come across. He is brill.
He hasn't been schooled very well in his previous home, and needs bringing back into work, a bit.
I've been on a few hacks now, where he has napped to go home!
He does it more than twice, and only stops it, when my mother gets on him. He tries to turn back, and I manage to turn him the oppposite way, to try and stop this, but a few times now, I have given in, and turned back home, or led him to the destination where I want him to go. I have 'hit' him with the whip to try and get him to go, which works for a bit. but then he starts napping again...

He has come alot better now in the school, but still naps towards the gate, and rushes his trot alot when I trot towards the gate.

any ideas or suggestions would be much appreciated!
ps-he is thirteen years old, so not a youngster.
thanks for reading!

 

[Moobucket]

My horse was the same when I first got him, and even afterwards for a little while when he is trying his luck.

Essentially the key is to be really firm and really fair. The fact that when your mum gets on him he doesn't nap shows you that essentially he is trying it on with you. 4 weeks is still early in your relationship with him and I imagine you were like me... totally bowled over and excited...so much so that you can be a little too kind and indulgent and then they start to get cheeky.

I had lots of practice in the school so I could start to prempt the nap, use plenty of leg and ride him through it. Eventually they realise that they arn't going to get away with it.. you are going to ride them forwards and it's really less effort for them if they don't faff about.

I know its a bit scary at first when you are out of a hack because you are always a tiny bit worried quite what they'll do, but never ever let them get away with it. If you build up your confidence in the school they'll learn you mean buisness.

I took ages trying to get him bridle on for example and I was the only one in the yard that couldn't do it. It was just his way of saying.. gosh you are an inexperienced fool... but as I got the measure of him I think i've gained a little more of his respect!