napping on hacks!!

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u02srg3

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Hi, my 6yo TB mare has started napping when I try taking her out on hacks (away from her 4 friends in the field). She is not very experienced at hacking and so I have ridden her out with an older horse for several months to get her confidence. When she is out with this older horse she is very well behaved and never naps. As a general rule she only does it when leaving the field. I have found that a martingale has helped a bit (with the spinning anyway). Does anyone have any ideas?? Sarah
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Hi! my old pony used to do this but unfortunately i had to be cruel to be kind as she started reversing me into ditches and bronching on the road as much as she could!!
But as yours is young you could still keep riding out with older horses and making your horse take the lead. Also always carry a stick give her a tap on the shoulder if she decides she doesnt want to go anymore and before she spins if you feel like she is going to do something keep giving her little kicks/squeezes with your leg so you are giving her confidence. It might be that she is scared on her own so you need to give her the confidence. Also ask someone to walk along side you when you are out on your own.
Sorry its sooooo long hope any of it helped
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Two routes, in my experience
1. Sudden 'sorting out' where you smack her for napping and ride her strongly forwards when she hesitates to go on her own. Needs a brave rider...though?
2. Slow sneaky separation. Continue to ride out with company...at first following...then beside...then immediately in front...then quite a distance ahead...then splitting up and finding different ways home...then splitting earlier...then going out with a human walker only...etc. This is the more gentle method.
3. Take up Parelli/NH and stop riding altogether (joke
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My tb also does this, though she is improving hugely (only had her since Dec and been riding her since June). Two things I've found really help - walking out in hand and going out on long reins. Practice in the field/school first though! She has big issues with separation from her racing days but Ive nobody else to ride out with so have had to go it alone. Long reining has given her loads of confidence and she's great now 95% of the time under saddle. Good luck!
 
oh p.s. meant to say, I tried the smacking route once and I can't recommend it with a highly strung TB! Again its prob a hangover from her racing days but literally one quick tap on the shoulder resulted in a light-speed whip round and quivering jelly of a horse...I've never felt so guilty!
 
I have a similar problem with my youngster, I can't get him to lead out on a ride at all. I've started lessons twice a week in the school which will help him listen to me more and rely on me in a scary situation. Then go for a ride round the yard on his own to get him used to the idea - the smacking hasn't really worked with me - he's just a big wuss! I think its just going to take time a patience for him to trust me on his own and leading but we'll get there! just lots of patience! xx
 
Longrein, longrein, longrein!! when they listen on the floor you might have a chance to sort out the ridden problem, drive her everywhere on her own.
 
My ex racer TB can be awful leaving the yard too but she is a woose but has firy temper, so i did go down the stick route accompanyied with growling and it has worked. but i think the key thing is to really praise the horse after going forward even if its just one step at a time. in my view its cruel to be kind.
 
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