Nappy horse

[PipsqueakXy22]

Hi in need of some advice…

I have recently got a 4 year old backed in March. I’ve had him around a month now, but been starting slow and only really ridden for 2.5 weeks. I believe he’s had most of the summer off so really pretty green. I’ve been gradually getting used to him, but he has gotten quite attached to his little field herd.
So far I’ve had him in the school on his own and he is pretty good, other than occasionally looking for his friends or shouting for them. if he is the only one coming in from the field (as they currently live out) he does shout but usually calms down eventually. Hacking wise I’ve only ever gone out in company. Our arena is not the best so today I decided to take him into the field to school. This field is next to his turnout field. I had managed to get him to the top end of the field (away from the direction of his friends) with a bit of reluctance, until we turned the corner and he took off blind bolting towards the gate. It was quite unnerving to say the least. I had then battled and battled with him for about 20 mins trying to get him to walk away again but he just kept spinning and wanting to take off. Eventually we got halfway up the field and I had ended it there, got off and walked him back to the stable. I only had wanted him to walk away from his friends. I’m not sure if that was the right thing to do but having battled for what felt like an eternity I didn’t want to over do it.

I wanted some advice on what I should do going forward? Should I try lunging and long reining in the field first? Should I try more ground work to build his trust in me first? Should I just keep persevering with riding him in the field? Should I avoid schooling in that field till he knows me better? Did I perhaps rush it in taking a young baby horse in a field next to his friends (probably yes)? I am on a small yard so moving him out the herd (of 6) would be difficult, I could potentially speak to the yard owner. I do also plan on getting professional help and lessons but having recently moved to the area I would have to do my research to find an instructor.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I do find that if they trust you and are interested in you, they care less about their four legged friends. So that may come with time.

I probably would've ventured into the field in-hand first and done some groundwork.

I did once have a youngster that was getting really herd bound, so I moved him to a paddock for about a week where he was alone. He got over being away from the herd and I guess realized he'd survive without them. I get that this might not be a popular approach and some horses may rather kill themselves than be alone, but it worked with this one and he was never herdbound again. It just clicked and stayed with him, I guess.

Generally with a horse being herdbound, I've just made small steps each day. A little further, a little less drama, and so on. Much praise and showing them that the world is ok and one can survive away from the herd.

 

[BBP]

Nowadays I would be looking earlier into the process.

How is he to catch? Does he willingly come up to you and drop his head into the halter? Or does he walk away from you or lift his head away from the headcollar?

Does he lead away from the group following your energy or a light feel on the rope? Or does he sort of drag his heels in?

Does he stand quietly tied up and engage and seem interested in you whilst tacking up? Or does he fidget and call to his mates?

Does he stand really nicely at the mounting block or try to walk off?

I think if any of those are the second option, you could probably do with working on those aspects before moving on to ridden work, as they show gaps in the relationship between the two of you, and may show the tension in him building long before he gets to that field.

I think a lot of the time we overlook those little things (because we bought them to ride after all) so we set a plan of what we are doing that day and progress on, and forget that to the horse those little things are all him communicating with you right from the start. Spend the time on getting him good with the little things, and the big things will come easily later on

Caveat being, I’m no pro trainer and I do not know everything about horse training! I’m just trying to right some mistakes I made with past horses.

 

[sollimum]

I would find a well respected professional to help you, first establishing good groundwork away from his friends and then progressing to ridden. My cob is 5 and I will walk in hand, do groundwork and ride all on the same outing depending on how he feels. If he is tense, I will get off do some groundwork and once his tension falls, ride or call it a day depending on him.

Where are you in the country, someone might be able to recommend some local trainers?

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Agree with what the others have said and would add, avoid getting into battles with him. Nothing is gained by trying to force the issue, if anything all they will learn is more ways to evade. Concentrate on building a solid relationship with him on the ground as BBP said. He needs to be relaxed and happy to have you in charge. I have just read a book by Jane Smiley called Nobody's Horse, aimed at children really but a good read and it brings up these points in it. Might be useful to you.

 

[PipsqueakXy22]

Nowadays I would be looking earlier into the process.

How is he to catch? Does he willingly come up to you and drop his head into the halter? Or does he walk away from you or lift his head away from the headcollar?

Does he lead away from the group following your energy or a light feel on the rope? Or does he sort of drag his heels in?

Does he stand quietly tied up and engage and seem interested in you whilst tacking up? Or does he fidget and call to his mates?

Does he stand really nicely at the mounting block or try to walk off?

I think if any of those are the second option, you could probably do with working on those aspects before moving on to ridden work, as they show gaps in the relationship between the two of you, and may show the tension in him building long before he gets to that field.

I think a lot of the time we overlook those little things (because we bought them to ride after all) so we set a plan of what we are doing that day and progress on, and forget that to the horse those little things are all him communicating with you right from the start. Spend the time on getting him good with the little things, and the big things will come easily later on

Caveat being, I’m no pro trainer and I do not know everything about horse training! I’m just trying to right some mistakes I made with past horses.

So he catches fine, often will come walking over to me. Leading away from the group though he is hesistant, will often look back and shout.
Mounting wise he’s perfect, stands very still. Even in the field yesterday I had dismounted at one point and gotten back on in the field on a log next to the gate and he was fine, but it was as soon as I tried to make him walk away he wasn’t happy.

He generally is quite a chilled personality and perhaps I took that for granted and thought he would be ok schooling in the field alone, but I was wrong.

Definitely will spend more time working on ground work and trust though

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

with my nappy one I led him on a very short circular route every day for a week then just rode him on that route, when he was confident doing that I repeated the process and just did longer different routes.

Thing is with riding round a field especially if it's so near the yard they get so eager to get back as soon as you do turn for home it's to easy for them to just tank off.

His only 4 as well do maybe even stick to company hacks until his more confident.

 

[Amymay Again]

I've often found the steadiest of horses get absolutely lit up when ridden in a field, so personally I would never ride in one near to their mates. Rightly or wrongly. Hack out or use the arena.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I had a really nappy horse initially. I ended up taking him for a 10 minute circuit, extending it by 5 minutes every few days. I used treats to reinforce it so when I could feel him tense up , Id make him stop , have 5 minutes l, a wee sweetie and then move off again forwards. Even 10 more steps in your direction is so much better than back. After about a month he was all good and if all he needs is a wee treat while trying to enjoy a hack, then I think that is a win

 

[Lucky Snowball]

I think riding in the field near other horses is a big ask even for a more experienced horse. I’d much rather hack out both alone and in company. Do limited ridden school work and not much lunging. Long rein out on hacks if not much traffic. Avoid the field!