napping

[ionafarrellxo]

I’ve owned my ex racing Tb for just over a year now.
She’s coming along great and her schooling has really improved and in the arena she is a dream however whenever we’re out a hack alone or in company she is a nightmare.. her napping is border line dangerous.. she rears, spins and backs up and will refuse to listen or go forward.. tried to take a crop out with me and she freaked out at the sight of it and eventually had to get off her and she even refused to go forward in hand.

just looking to see if anyone else has experienced this and how they over came it?

 

[Winters100]

Poor you - these problems are difficult. And to me the remedy really depends on how confident you are. I am guessing that you are a very experienced rider to buy a horse off the race track - how was she when you first got her? Is this new behaviour? Getting off her was not ideal, but I can understand why you would do it. I would next time try turning her many times in a tight circle and then asking her to go forward. If she naps again repeat until she realises that it is not getting her anywhere. Circle needs to be tight so that she can't rear and keep plenty of leg on. But one thing - I would suggest only to go out on her if you are feeling confident. If she realises that this behaviour can make you get off it will get worse. If you don't think you are up to it I would ask a trainer to take her out and assess the situation. Good luck!

 

[Bellaboo18]

Baby steps.
Start with walking out in hand with a bridle on and with another horse. Do the same short route, ideally a circle so you're not turning back on yourself. Then work up to going out while riding with another horse that she can follow. Then follow a bike or a walker and eventually on your own.
I definitely wouldn't take her out on her own yet. I'd also personally ignore the turning in a tight circle advice on a sharp tb, that rears and spins.