Napping?

[Belleoftheball]

I've been told lots of definitions of napping and also been told that's what my horse does. Sometimes when circling in the ménage he runs off to the other side, but never runs to the gate. I thought it could be because he was bored so I started to introduce jumping to him (he is 6), more hacking, lateral work etc. he only seemed to do this when schooling but today I was jumping a small course and I was about to turn to the jump and he refused to turn. I don't use a whip as he is very forward and responsive

Is this napping and how do I solve it?
Thanks

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Well, it could be napping but really you need someone on the ground to watch and tell you what is happening, because it could equally be rider error. Napping is basically not doing as the rider asks. Some people will say that their horse naps when in fact it is doing exactly as it has been asked to do, even if that was not the rider's intention.

Poles can be very useful with a nappy horse, as can other school 'furniture', to keep them interested. These things can also be very useful for the rider to focus on. As for solving it, lessons with a really good instructor would be best. When you are on your own with the horse, take things in small steps, make sure that you can turn your horse at a given point, that he is in front of your leg and that you decide what happens when, not him.