Nappy Horse!

[BacollisMum]

Any suggestions other than lots of schooling? Classic running backwards, spinning round and threatening to rear! Gets worse the firmer you are and doesn't seem to get bored if you try just sitting it out. Naps alone or in company - was fine out in company until I tried taking him out alone and napped and won due to very busy road!

Wish we could hack straight onto bridleways I would be more prepared to argue with him! In the school he has started to nap to the gate too, although on this he has NOT won!

Current plan of action: forget hacking and school, school, school, then reintroduce hacking with someone on foot.

Any other suggestions and thoughts very welcome in case I am missing something here. Thank you!

 

[AmyMay]

Oh sitting it out usually works. Just sit and wait (making sure you have the time for it to be several hours.

 

[3Beasties]

Any suggestions other than lots of schooling? Classic running backwards, spinning round and threatening to rear! Gets worse the firmer you are and doesn't seem to get bored if you try just sitting it out. Naps alone or in company - was fine out in company until I tried taking him out alone and napped and won due to very busy road!

Wish we could hack straight onto bridleways I would be more prepared to argue with him! In the school he has started to nap to the gate too, although on this he has NOT won!

Current plan of action: forget hacking and school, school, school, then reintroduce hacking with someone on foot.

Any other suggestions and thoughts very welcome in case I am missing something here. Thank you!

You have more or less just described my mare that I have been having problems with since November last year. She has been a nightmare, nappy and explosive, reacting to everything and broncing and bucking at the drop of a hat. Like you I have to hack out straight on to roads but I don't have a school so it was either hack or don't ride! On top of that she was new to me so I didn't know her very well and TBH made up any excuse not to ride her.

Assuming everything like back, saddle, teeth etc has been checked, this is what I did -

A friend walked with me most weekends but even with someone on foot she would nap/explode for no real reason. Some days I tried to ride her out on my own but always had to get off and lead, even leading her was difficult at times and on some days didn't finish our route as she was becoming dangerous!

We finally got to the stage where she was happy walking out with my friend on foot so then I had to take the plunge and do it on my own.

After a disastrous ride, where I couldn't even get on her and leading her out resulted in me having to turn for home before she flattened me, I stuck her on the lunge and worked her. I think this was the turning point. I lunged her every day that week and then the following weekend had two good rides with my friend on foot.

The next day I braved it alone after lunging her first. Although she was very nappy there was none of the explosiveness with it so I felt able to deal with it better. I was determined not to get off so made sure I had all day to get round the route I wanted to do!

If she planted and wouldn't go forward I kicked and kicked until she did, as soon as she walked the smallest step forward I stopped kicking and gave her lots of praise. If she reversed I made her reverse more so I took control of it. Any forwardness was praised no matter how small it was, and standing still or reversing was made to be harder for her. Basically I gave her an option, go forward or work harder, she had to learn to choose the easy option.

That first ride took over and hour and a half to get round (should take no more then 40 mins normally) but I didn't get off and I could feel her improving through the whole ride.

Over the next few days she improved and we both grew in confidence. That was about 2 weeks ago now and I've learnt so much from her in that time. I've learnt not to rush her, I now let her have a look at stuff rather then hurrying her and causing a battle. If she stops randomly I give her a few seconds, sometimes she'll walk on again of her own accord, sometimes she'll go with a little nudge.

I don't lunge her now before riding but if she has a day off I will lunge before riding as I really think lack of work has been a contributing factor to our problems (vicious circle though!). Some days she's better then others, but overall she's a million times better then what she was. I don't dread getting on her anymore, I can laugh (most of the time) at her silliness and I actually enjoy riding her.

My method may not work for everyone but it worked for me so I thought I would share (and hopefully give you a bit of hope) that it can get better! Good luck

 

[BacollisMum]

Thank you both, I think we just have to go back to basics, I've not had him long so perhaps need to build a better bond and trust, its a new yard for him as well as new owner etc.

Join up, lunging, schooling, groundwork etc etc then out with someone on foot I think!