Nappy pony - ideas? (long rambling post)

[DBrasnett]

I haven't posted here for a while, so giving a bit of history before my post.

I have had "pony" (6yr old, 16.1 ID) for 6 months and other then lacking some confidence and being spooky he hasn't put a foot wrong for me till this week. I had him fully vetted before purchasing him and he was totally sound. I have had his back and teeth checked recently too. So, physically I believe he is ok.

He has always been a bit tricky to keep straight on 20m circles especially on the side by the gate (nappy!), need lots of outside leg and rein to prevent him falling through his outside shoulder/drifting out. I have a 6month agreement with someone sharing him (4 months in, not ideal but purchased a house and needed some extra funds for 6 months) and notice pony is much worse after sharer has ridden him. Sharer is more novice then I am, even though pony is my 5th pony I wouldn't class myself as a great rider either.

Anyway, the sharer has had big problem with steering (corners and circles) this has been an on and off problem, but much worse the last couple of weeks. Now for me this week pony has been naughty. I block his drifting near the gate with lateral aids, but today he responded with a nap. He is bucking, stopping, backing up in the corner by the gate and stable. I tapped him up with the schooling whip and he just returned a HUGE buck. So I sat calm and growled at him... It worked, but it wasn't stylish or elegant.

Pony hasn't been on a hack for over a week and I have been working hard in the school to help tune him up for sharer and prepare for a dressage test I am doing in sept. I am wondering if pony is just bored and objecting to schooling, or if we have hit our first proper problem.

Any one experienced nappy ponies before? does this sound familiar? any hints and tips?

Also I am about to go on holiday for 10 days and sharer is exercising pony. I am mildly worried I will come home to a total monster. Not sure what to say to sharer about this. Do I not mention it and hope it is only me pony is being naughty with? or should I sy something and give some guidelines?

I have a lesson booked with my instructor for my first day back from holiday

Thank you for reading!!!!

 

[toomanyhorses26]

My tb can be a bit nappy from time to time and it helps if I school him in a corner of a field so he doesn't have something to run to if that makes sense. If I have to go in the school - I do most of my warm up away from the gate - 20m circles sprialling in and out ,loops,changes of rein - to really get him guess as to where he is going next . My horse is quite lazy as well so I find he is better if he is truely going forwards - the moment he backs of he gets a swift leg on and a tap with the whip with accompany growls and mutterings

 

[chestnut cob]

Worth getting saddle checked. Mine bunny hops going in to canter when saddle needs checking - he might have just changed shape a bit if he's doing a lot more schooling.

How about suggesting your sharer has some lessons while you're away, with someone you trust? Also worth getting her to hack him out, if she will, as he might simply be bored. Mine schools once or twice a week (and has his first Trailblazers dressage qualifier in 2 weeks); anymore and he throws the towel in.

 

[Spot_the_Risk]

I think you're probably right that the horse is bored with schooling, but you know your horse and what he's comfortable with.

Regarding the napping, if you haven't already done so, teach your horse to back up. I read somewhere that Monty Roberts teaches his horses to back up as they then won't use it as an evasion against you - it is just another 'taught' movement. It made a lot of sense to me, horse naps, you keep backing it up, horse finds that not easy/uncomfortable, and decides going forward is the best option.

Good luck!