Napping

[OliviasNan]

My granddaughters pony (welsh D mare) is going through a phase of napping - dropping shoulder in canter - and dumping granddaughter in the process. Unfortunately most of the time she wont re-mount her so pony has won. She's had a couple of weeks of saying she's never going to ride her again so I have been riding and lunging her - she does not nap with me. She has just started riding her again and is keen and pony hasn't napped, but I want her to prevent or prepare for her to nap and dump. I have to her to make sure she keeps her leg on and contact which does have a habit of dropping. Am I doing the right thing and does anyone have any other ideas to help with her confidence to deal with the napping ?

 

[be positive]

I would avoid cantering until your granddaughter has really built up her confidence, no need to make a big deal of it and continue to school the pony yourself regularly so it is still cantering and getting out of the habit, there is plenty she can do to improve in walk and trot, poles, small x poles and leave cantering until she is more confident, has gained more trust, has a stronger seat so less likely to fall off if it does drop a shoulder and is actually asking to canter without it being suggested.

I have taught plenty of children who for some reason go through a stage where cantering is not on the agenda for possibly months at a time, they do get back to it but usually the less pressure the better, the less falling off the more they gain confidence and they tend to then crack on without further problems.

It may just be the pony being naughty but there is every chance it is responding to the rider tensing up and reacting by also feeling tense, it is still taking advantage when it shouldn't but if the pony is not totally confident it can be a genuine reaction to feeling insecure whereas when you are on board it feels safer, not every naughty pony is naughty just because it thinks it can get away with it, I have known plenty that have a bit of a panic when things go a bit wrong, as well as the really naughty ones that take every opportunity to be wicked but they are rare when you really step back and look.

 

[Palindrome]

An airbag vest, it is much less painful when you fall off. It is like falling on a mattress.

Dressage lessons with lots of lateral work so she can control the mare's shoulders and hindlegs and sitting trot so she gets stronger in her seat.

 

[OliviasNan]

BePositive & Palindrome thank you for your replies. When she re-started riding her again she kept to walk, trot and trotting poles but the last couple of times she has started to sneak canter in with no problems. I have kept telling her to keep her leg on and a consistent contact, this has always been a problem for her in my opinion, but as her Nan I don't think she takes much notice ! She does have lessons and its never been a problem at them, but came off at a couple of shows ( in exactly the same spot ) after jumps 1 & 2, and that was it wouldn't go to her lessons again. Bloody moody teenagers ! Yes I think dressage lessons would be an idea although she not keen at all, jumping is her thing and pony would make a lovely dressage pony. Back,tack and teeth all up to date. Also she's very reluctant to use the whip as she will do a little buck, but I think a crack may sort her, she did a little buck when I tapped her to move her on but hasn't since. I tend to think she's a pony that does not put up with shoddy riding.