BacollisMum
Member
Wasn't sure where to put this as I'm not new to horses, in fact I've been riding for 26 years on and off and have owned my horse for 10 years - having said that I definitely don't know it all and am still learning so need some thoughts on this please!
Anyway I have just taken on a new pony on loan, he is a 14.2hh cob and seems fairly nervous in new surroundings, after only a short time he has settled into our daily routine. I took him on as a happy hacker and as we don't have a school or suitable field to ride in that is all I do. As we are on a small yard there aren't always others to ride out with so I need to be able to ride out alone.
I took the new boy out today for the first time having given him a few days to settle into his new home and it was a disaster, he napped...... a lot! So he slowed right up, didn't respond to the leg or crop and then tried to spin, I felt that coming so he failed on the spinning which resulted in him walking backwards, I gave him a little more rein and gently kicked on, more walking backwards and stopping, we turned circles and generally didn't go anywhere other than all over the road until eventually he walked forwards. Now I've dealt with my fair share of napping over the years, so it doesn't scare me and I am aware it generally means a lot patience and determination. I won every battle and we only turned for home once I felt I had control and the decision was coming from me. On the way out the road markings were the scariest horse eating monsters ever, funnily enough on the way home they did not present a problem at all.
I'm thinking this pony would probably hack out no problem with another horse/pony, I get that he is nervous on his own and needs to get his confidence from me. My experience of napping is that you can't bully a nappy horse/pony into going forward, you just have to sit it out and patiently ask, do a lot of standing still but just don't allow them to turn for home and eventually they'll give in. I don't want to give up on this horse and return him yet as he is a sweetie to handle and I do like him, I'm thinking that maybe doing join up and taking him out with others so he is familiar with the local area might give him a bit more confidence, but my worry is he is 17 already! -traffic doesn't bother him just road markings!
I guess I'm looking for confirmation that my approach may in time give me a pony that will hack out alone, but how long will it take? Any ideas on what else can I do or is it just patience?
I have my horse to ride who is a total star but now 24, so this guy was really for me to have a sharer and then something to ride when the day comes that mine can no longer be ridden. Is it worth me putting so much effort into a 17 year old loan? How long should I give it before I return him if it doesn't work out and find something that is ready to go?
Any thoughts welcome.
Anyway I have just taken on a new pony on loan, he is a 14.2hh cob and seems fairly nervous in new surroundings, after only a short time he has settled into our daily routine. I took him on as a happy hacker and as we don't have a school or suitable field to ride in that is all I do. As we are on a small yard there aren't always others to ride out with so I need to be able to ride out alone.
I took the new boy out today for the first time having given him a few days to settle into his new home and it was a disaster, he napped...... a lot! So he slowed right up, didn't respond to the leg or crop and then tried to spin, I felt that coming so he failed on the spinning which resulted in him walking backwards, I gave him a little more rein and gently kicked on, more walking backwards and stopping, we turned circles and generally didn't go anywhere other than all over the road until eventually he walked forwards. Now I've dealt with my fair share of napping over the years, so it doesn't scare me and I am aware it generally means a lot patience and determination. I won every battle and we only turned for home once I felt I had control and the decision was coming from me. On the way out the road markings were the scariest horse eating monsters ever, funnily enough on the way home they did not present a problem at all.
I'm thinking this pony would probably hack out no problem with another horse/pony, I get that he is nervous on his own and needs to get his confidence from me. My experience of napping is that you can't bully a nappy horse/pony into going forward, you just have to sit it out and patiently ask, do a lot of standing still but just don't allow them to turn for home and eventually they'll give in. I don't want to give up on this horse and return him yet as he is a sweetie to handle and I do like him, I'm thinking that maybe doing join up and taking him out with others so he is familiar with the local area might give him a bit more confidence, but my worry is he is 17 already! -traffic doesn't bother him just road markings!
I guess I'm looking for confirmation that my approach may in time give me a pony that will hack out alone, but how long will it take? Any ideas on what else can I do or is it just patience?
I have my horse to ride who is a total star but now 24, so this guy was really for me to have a sharer and then something to ride when the day comes that mine can no longer be ridden. Is it worth me putting so much effort into a 17 year old loan? How long should I give it before I return him if it doesn't work out and find something that is ready to go?
Any thoughts welcome.
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