Napping

[Blazingkate]

Hi, need help desperately. My horse is a really bad napper, and even though he's got much better in the fields and on hacks, he's transfered it into the ring. I have to get people to stand in the exit so he can't run out, and on sunday the little sod stopped at the rope, and actually picked up his foot and went to step over it!! Was not happy. He's very very strong, he's in a happy mouth straight gag, but I still have to drop my right rein and use both hands on the left to turn him back to the jump, and then pick up the right rein again. He always naps right, when he naps left I give one kick and sharp pull on the right rein and he obeys, but when he naps right I really can't do anything. I'm not weak, I'm actually quite strong for my height, and I'm hoping that once he's learnt he can't get out the ring by running to the exit and still has to jump all the jumps he'll stop doing it, but until then has anyone got any ideas? I found out today that when he was 'broken in' he had a saddle and bridle on and was then walked up the field, and galloped back (towards the gate) that was two years ago. And the girl that had him before me used to just let him get away with it so I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle.

It's really getting me down now because I got a 2nd and 2 3rds on Sunday, but could have easily won each class because I went clear in every class including the jump offs, it was just because I was being pulled all over the place and fighting with him resulting in slow times that was costing me my 1st.

Please help!!

Katie

 

[mrdarcy]

From the way he's been introduced to ridden work I'd say you need to take him back to basics - after eliminating all potential physical causes of course.

Get him on the lunge and make sure he obeys your voice commands each and every time, starting with walk to halt to walk and back again. If he's not listening on a big circle start by doing it as if you were just leading him round the school. Gradually increase the distance between you. When he is doing this consistently and at the moment you tell him (not three strides later) you'll have established a basic 'I'm the herd leader you do what I say' mentality... then progress from there.

 

[tashyisaudrey]

Kelly Marks has a great book on re-establishing that you are the herd leader, with lots of ground work exercises. Lunging is great too. You can also get specialist halters that help too. My mare is quite a napper and used to try and jump out of the school. Being hard line with her just made her worse and she started rearing so it was back to the ground and re-establishing my relationship with her. Napping starts because the horse thinks that it gets him/her out of work, they are in pain or are generally frightened, not enough trust in rider or confused about what you are asking them to do. Consider where your horse is in the herd, if they are boss for example then they might think that they are boss over you too, and that they have the right to make all the decisions - this was the case with my mare. They see humans as part of the herd too.

The trick is not to get angry when they start as they see this as fear in you and it makes them worse, its a difficult problem to crack, but it is beatable with good groundwork training.

 

[vic07]

Have you checked he isn't in any physical discomfort as he is much worse on one rein? Good luck with it.

 

[horsesrock]

Agree that must check it's not physical.

After that long reining is the way to go!!!
long reining is such a valuble tool of school that is sooooo rarely used!

Have you got anyone experienced to show you how? If not i will elobrate my post
x

 

[Blazingkate]

Hi thanks for all your replys. He is infact the herd leader back at the yard, in a huge field with 9 horses in so, this is probably one of the reasons! I've had his back etc checked and he is fine. I will try the lunging and long-reining. Thanks again!!