Forget_Me_Not
Well-Known Member
Oh just a thought.... Could your instructor not ride him out for you? Or at least with you?
Nappy horse - advice please
- Thread starter anniedoherty
- Start date
spider
Well-Known Member
My pony was just like that when he was younger. would plant when I just wanted him to walk round the school, he still only does the minimum unless I really get after him for the first five minutes. However looking on the bright side if he stops and digs his heels in he is not going to bolt with you.
You can do the whack buck whack routine. I didn't feel confident enough of staying on to do this so tried to rotate different ways of surprising him into action.eg. growling, turning whip upside down and waving by his head, whacking my leg or the saddle to make a loud noise, yelling loudly. He also always is more lively when there are other horses in the school. You could follow another horse to get him going then circle away.
Do you jump at all. If he likes jumping you could school with a tiny cross pole in the middle and pop him over it every time he flags.
Also write down everything he does or doesn't do, then give yourself a time limit. After that time look at your notes and decide whether you want to sell or not. Chances are you will be amazed by your progress. Good luck.
You can do the whack buck whack routine. I didn't feel confident enough of staying on to do this so tried to rotate different ways of surprising him into action.eg. growling, turning whip upside down and waving by his head, whacking my leg or the saddle to make a loud noise, yelling loudly. He also always is more lively when there are other horses in the school. You could follow another horse to get him going then circle away.
Do you jump at all. If he likes jumping you could school with a tiny cross pole in the middle and pop him over it every time he flags.
Also write down everything he does or doesn't do, then give yourself a time limit. After that time look at your notes and decide whether you want to sell or not. Chances are you will be amazed by your progress. Good luck.
Skhosu
Well-Known Member
I wonder have you checked if he is in pain?
And 6 days schooling total together? I'd be wanting out of there too!!
And 6 days schooling total together? I'd be wanting out of there too!!
Broodle
Well-Known Member
Hello there. I can't offer any better specific advice than that already given (and I am a bit late in replying
) but I would like to pass on the best advice ever given me:
...always remember that horses are herd animals - every herd has a leader, and in your little herd it is either you or him. If you're not leader at all times (on ground, and when riding) then he will quickly try to assume the position...
Of course, when I was told this I was about 10 and thought it was ridiculous - I was my pony's friend not his leader
! But, the truth of it sunk in eventually!
Your horse is lurrrverly btw.
...always remember that horses are herd animals - every herd has a leader, and in your little herd it is either you or him. If you're not leader at all times (on ground, and when riding) then he will quickly try to assume the position...
Of course, when I was told this I was about 10 and thought it was ridiculous - I was my pony's friend not his leader
Your horse is lurrrverly btw.
Weezy
Well-Known Member
OK - what I have to say will prob not make me very popular but hey ho
Your INSTRUCTOR was asked by you to find a match to your (admitted) novice abilities, your known fears of hacking etc and she suggested a SIX year old KWPN???!!!! That in itself leaves me gobsmacked - anyone worth their salt knows that young horses need variety - I am not against novice riders having novice horses so long as they are aided along the education route constantly, however, I cannot help but think here that your instructor bought a horse for her, sorry, recommended you bought a horse that she would have liked to buy for herself!
No, I dont think you need a cob, there is no reason in this world why you cannot have a WB, but one with mileage, that can forgive mistakes we ALL make regardless of ability and one that you can have fun and gain confidence with! A horse owner like ourselves have horses for fun/hobby/fitness - there is plenty of time for you to "school" a horse should you ever decide to do so, for now you should be enjoying yourself! For now the whole thing sounds like some sort of trauma, and for that I feel for you greatly
As for what to do about the situation you are in now - personally I would find another instructor although I know that is easier said than done - I would deffo find someone you trust to hack out with and learn to have fun and enjoy the horse you obv have an amazing bond with - I would start doing fun things like pole work and little jumping session - desensitising is also something you can do together and something you can both grow from
More than anything else PLEASE dont feel as tho you are failing in any way - you are not, I think your advisor is failing YOU as a person, but whatever, bad behavious needs nipping in the bud and your idea of an experienced sharer cannot at all be viewed as a bad thing
Chin up and I wish you lots of future enjoyment with your horse
Your INSTRUCTOR was asked by you to find a match to your (admitted) novice abilities, your known fears of hacking etc and she suggested a SIX year old KWPN???!!!! That in itself leaves me gobsmacked - anyone worth their salt knows that young horses need variety - I am not against novice riders having novice horses so long as they are aided along the education route constantly, however, I cannot help but think here that your instructor bought a horse for her, sorry, recommended you bought a horse that she would have liked to buy for herself!
No, I dont think you need a cob, there is no reason in this world why you cannot have a WB, but one with mileage, that can forgive mistakes we ALL make regardless of ability and one that you can have fun and gain confidence with! A horse owner like ourselves have horses for fun/hobby/fitness - there is plenty of time for you to "school" a horse should you ever decide to do so, for now you should be enjoying yourself! For now the whole thing sounds like some sort of trauma, and for that I feel for you greatly
As for what to do about the situation you are in now - personally I would find another instructor although I know that is easier said than done - I would deffo find someone you trust to hack out with and learn to have fun and enjoy the horse you obv have an amazing bond with - I would start doing fun things like pole work and little jumping session - desensitising is also something you can do together and something you can both grow from
More than anything else PLEASE dont feel as tho you are failing in any way - you are not, I think your advisor is failing YOU as a person, but whatever, bad behavious needs nipping in the bud and your idea of an experienced sharer cannot at all be viewed as a bad thing
Chin up and I wish you lots of future enjoyment with your horse
Patches
Well-Known Member
That is EXACTLY how Patches was with me when I first had her. She'd never done anything like that with her previous owner but she was really trying it on with me.
I forgot about schooling with her for a good month or so and just hacked her for miles. She loved to hack and in that time we bonded well and she got used to how I feel in the saddle (Lucy had owned her for four years so moving to me, my riding, my yard etc was a BIG deal for her).
Once we'd bonded doing something less stressful, for her, and she'd gotten used to me I re-introduced schooling and haven't had ANY nappiness since.
I forgot about schooling with her for a good month or so and just hacked her for miles. She loved to hack and in that time we bonded well and she got used to how I feel in the saddle (Lucy had owned her for four years so moving to me, my riding, my yard etc was a BIG deal for her).
Once we'd bonded doing something less stressful, for her, and she'd gotten used to me I re-introduced schooling and haven't had ANY nappiness since.
anniedoherty
Well-Known Member
Morning everyone and thanks for the continuing advice.
Charlotte - I am going to start leading him down the lane in hand next week to let him see more of the world and I will go out with another livery as soon as my confidence levels rise sufficiently.
Forget_Me_Not - my instructor is injured, unfortunately, so can't ride him for me for at least another couple of months.
Spider - I have managed to sit the bucks so far, thankfully, and the rears have only been mini ones!
TripleSandH - I have had him checked but nothing was found other than a few sharp points on his teeth which have been floated so they are fine now. I am always particular about getting teeth done. His back and tack are also ok so it doesn't seem to be a pain issue. I really think he is testing me because I am not the strongest rider.
Katie_A - As above, I think he is testing me to see who is in charge. I have realised that it HAS to be me!
Weezy - don't worry, I really need honest advice, so please say exactly what you feel. I have wondered many times why I got this particular horse to be truthful. The thing is though, I have fallen in love with him and I really want to make a success of riding him. It would be a bit hard to change instructors because my instructor is also my YO. She is a good teacher and I blame myself not her for my problems. If things don't improve though and I feel that I am not getting enough of the help which I need I will have to think about changing yards altogether. Thank you very much for your words of support too - makes me feel better!
Patches - I wil, I will, I will begin hacking out. There, if I keep saying it I will have to do it or all you HHO people will know!!
Charlotte - I am going to start leading him down the lane in hand next week to let him see more of the world and I will go out with another livery as soon as my confidence levels rise sufficiently.
Forget_Me_Not - my instructor is injured, unfortunately, so can't ride him for me for at least another couple of months.
Spider - I have managed to sit the bucks so far, thankfully, and the rears have only been mini ones!
TripleSandH - I have had him checked but nothing was found other than a few sharp points on his teeth which have been floated so they are fine now. I am always particular about getting teeth done. His back and tack are also ok so it doesn't seem to be a pain issue. I really think he is testing me because I am not the strongest rider.
Katie_A - As above, I think he is testing me to see who is in charge. I have realised that it HAS to be me!
Weezy - don't worry, I really need honest advice, so please say exactly what you feel. I have wondered many times why I got this particular horse to be truthful. The thing is though, I have fallen in love with him and I really want to make a success of riding him. It would be a bit hard to change instructors because my instructor is also my YO. She is a good teacher and I blame myself not her for my problems. If things don't improve though and I feel that I am not getting enough of the help which I need I will have to think about changing yards altogether. Thank you very much for your words of support too - makes me feel better!
Patches - I wil, I will, I will begin hacking out. There, if I keep saying it I will have to do it or all you HHO people will know!!
anniedoherty
Well-Known Member
Sorry for length of last post. Just off to see Oliver and have some fun, hopefully! Will let you know how we got on when I get back. Annie n Oliver x
Blizzard
Well-Known Member
oh best of luck Annie!
I have a WB myself and lord knows they can be nappy. Mine was sold (this was over 10 years ago now) by his last owner because he napped 2 miles home with her! constantly tried it on for a long long time, until eventually he realised he couldnt win.
Even now he can try it on occasionally but only does so if he feels like he can get away with it, he is one of those horses who will pretend to be scared of something and if you dont tell him to get on then he will make a big deal out of it.
I have him on loan though and can honestly say he has never put a hoof wrong with me, I LOVE him. A girl I know took him for a hack the other week and he was a right sod for her, napping ,taking off etc, I tihnk he just knows who he can push, LOL shows warmbloods arent as dumb as some people think they are!
Whereabouts in yorkshire are you, if you are near me you would be more than welcome to come and ride at my yard if you want to get confidence on a well behaved horse.
Doing that worked wonders for my OH, my last mare really knocked his confidence, but after riding a quiet, well behaved horse he gained so much, and went back to my mare with renewed confidence, and she knew it!
By the sounds of it your horse hasnt got a bad bone in his body, he is just bored.
Can no one else at your yard hack him out for you until you feel able, maybe you could go along on a quieter horse?
Best of luck hun and dont give up!
I have a WB myself and lord knows they can be nappy. Mine was sold (this was over 10 years ago now) by his last owner because he napped 2 miles home with her! constantly tried it on for a long long time, until eventually he realised he couldnt win.
Even now he can try it on occasionally but only does so if he feels like he can get away with it, he is one of those horses who will pretend to be scared of something and if you dont tell him to get on then he will make a big deal out of it.
I have him on loan though and can honestly say he has never put a hoof wrong with me, I LOVE him. A girl I know took him for a hack the other week and he was a right sod for her, napping ,taking off etc, I tihnk he just knows who he can push, LOL shows warmbloods arent as dumb as some people think they are!
Whereabouts in yorkshire are you, if you are near me you would be more than welcome to come and ride at my yard if you want to get confidence on a well behaved horse.
Doing that worked wonders for my OH, my last mare really knocked his confidence, but after riding a quiet, well behaved horse he gained so much, and went back to my mare with renewed confidence, and she knew it!
By the sounds of it your horse hasnt got a bad bone in his body, he is just bored.
Can no one else at your yard hack him out for you until you feel able, maybe you could go along on a quieter horse?
Best of luck hun and dont give up!