napping on hacks

caroline23

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my cob has recently started to nap back to the yard when trying to go for a hack, we have to go down quite a long drive to get out onto the bit we hack on and its about half way/three quarters down and he turns and heads for home! never in the same place though so he isnt just spooking at the same thing, it isnt a true bolt as such as it is just his normal steady canter so i dont feel scared as it isnt full pelt, last time i managed to pull him up to a trot but couldnt get walk. he is in a full cheek french link snaffle and is nearly 5, he has done this alone and with company but only since we moved yards. ive had him since september.

i think he is just testing me out as when he did it in company the other person then got on him and made him go out, (but she had a whip and spurs on) and i have hacked him in company at my other yard a few times

any tips on how i should proceed to stop this? last time he did this i made him go a bit up the drive to show that it wouldnt get him out of work, then turned him round when i said so not when he did
 
Is it properly napping (with bucking and tantrum-ing), or has he just learned that if he turns he can go home?

Sounds like you need a whip and spurs and you should get after him every time he tried to go home. If it was me, I wouldn't dare let him stop when we got home. I'd go out up that drive every single time he went home.
 
Hi - my cob`s the same age and would nap if i let him! I think he`s trying you out at the moment , seeing how much he can get away with. Also remember he is still very much a baby. What helps me is that my OH walks out part of the way with us. It seems to give my cob confidence when he has someone walking at his side. I also try and ride out with a friend on an older horse. Try and have a circular route if at all possible. Dont be afraid to get off and walk with him - maybe walk him in hand down your driveway and get on him at a different spot. Try to avoid turning around anywhere on your drive as this will only reinforce the idea that turning round will take him back to his safety zone. It will take time because of his age so try not to worry and take things slowly - lots of groundwork and bonding work. Cobs are generally so laid back and gentle - just need a bit longer than most to mature. Most importantly tho, always end on a good note.
 
iv bought a whip now and will borrow some spurs if i dont crack this, i was just shocked the first few times he did it as never had a horse do that and was on my own, but the last time i got him straight back out which i will continue to do each time he does it

there is no other way out the yard except to go down the driveway first, and its a very long driveway! about 10minutes in walk.

i have someone walk with me about halfway, and then i do the rest by myself, he is fine when someone is on the ground but i want to be able to go out on my own to but i know its something to be worked on, he is generally non-spooky and is a confident chap(almost too confident think we also need to do some groundwork so we re-establish who is leader)

do you think trotting down the drive would make a difference as it is giving him something to do and keeping him active rather than let him think about going backward?
i will also try walking him down the drive and getting on him at the end
 
Trotting may work but you need to keep on top of it.

Does he nap i.e. turn in the same direction? Mine always does a right turn. I keep my whip in my right hand and tap his shoulder to the beat of the pace. I also open my left rein. When mine did nap, I'd grab the rein by his mouth, spin him back round and tell him to walk on. I had him on a calmer as well and that made a massive difference. He's not hacked at present as I'm recovering from a broken back :)
 
dont worry i wont, it wouldnt be the answer.

he was broken in at 4 year old and ive had him since september, i know he is just testing me out and he is also still young , it is just unnerving not being able to control him when he is heading home, he is good in the school so not a bit/dont know aids issue
 
i will try to notice next time he does it, sometimes i can feel he is thinking about doing it and give him a tap and tell him in a firm voice to walk on and this works, but he is perisistant! and catches me off gaurd, i think he goes to the left so i will keep my stick on the left next time i go out

we didnt do much over winter just getting to know eachother so this is the first few weeks we have regualrly been riding so maybe he is objecting?

the drive is too narrow to try and turn him (he just headed to the fence when i tried doing this) which is a shame as i think this would work
 
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turning for home is not acceptable. give him A SLAP AND A GOOD KICK AND SEND HIM FORWARDS.. oops caps on. make him go he is looking for direction from you. voice is a good aid too. nip this in the bud now. drop his grub til he is behaving. Kick on and enjoy.
 
Well he may be testing you out, but its probably more to do with some insecurity on his part. The best tool you have is patience, not a whip or spur.

Put a standing martingale on him for starters.

Walk down the drive, not trot - because you have more control then. It also means that you can react quicker to any spinning around that he may do. Don't get into a battle with him, you'll loose.

If he won't walk on once you've stopped the initial spin then just sit it out. Every now and again ask him to walk on again, and the minute he does lots of praise.

Do it on a day you have plenty of time to kill.
 
School him a bit down the drive, ie leg on, firm but soft hand, schooling whip in each hand (you can waggle them at the same time, and it drives the horse forwards with giving him a safe side to duck to), ask for changes of speed in the walk, half halt, leg yield a bit - it doesn't matter if it isn't perfect, or even if it's new to him, you need to keep his mind on you, and not give him the chance to think of something more entertaining to do! A few strides of trot won't hurt either, ten strides then back to walk etc. Essentially, you're keeping him busy, and of course give loads of praise whenever he's being good, singing is good, keeps you breathing. A neck strap may help you to keep balance if necessary.
 
From what you describe I would say that he is just testing at the moment. I have one that will properly nap - i.e. rear, spin run backwards etc etc and I hope you never get to that.

What has worked for me a lot of work on the ground in terms of getting him to relax and then being firm with him whilst out. When I say firm, I basically tell him off through the reigns when he is playing up and the "easy option" is for him to go the way I want. I often end up going round in several circles to get his concentration before doing anything else.

Fingers crossed you nip it in the bud and start to enjoy hacking soon
 
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