New horse napping/rearing

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toulouse1

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Help please
New horse is only 6' had all the health checks so no issues, back, saddle teeth etc
He is fine to jump, hack, in a school off the yard, but when asked to work in the field next to buddy's or in school he has started to nap, stands still and hops on the spot, does a rear spin then buck...
I can get him to go forward with my voice and lots of 'grrrrr' noises, so he will go forward for. Few laps in trot but them ask soon as I ask him to work by having a sight contact or doing a circle or putting leg on he does it again
I'm sure it's just naughtiness to avoid the work as he there is no problem on a hack or jumping
Any suggestions please? I have an instructor but I go to his yard where he behaves fine!!
 
Have you checked for ulcers? Sounds like it could be that if its a reaction to putting your leg on. Did you have him vetted before you bought him?

Have you had anyone else ride him and if so, does he do the same? I'd be looking to get a professional or your trainer to ride him and see if they have the same problems. If the issue is only in your school at home then get an instructor that will come to you and can help you work through the issues.

What is next to the school at home? And what is in the field where you are asking him to school?
 
Are you riding confidently from when you first get on, or are you only getting on at him when the problem starts? It sounds like you might be slightly 'slacking' when at home if he goes fine at your instructors.

My mare doesn't nap with me at all, but if one of my friends get on, she starts by 'crabbing' a bit, and if they don't correct this she uses it to her full advantage to nap and curl around and not work properly at all. Make sure you have him correct from the start,block whichever way he is napping and really ride him forwards, don't give him the opportunity to fall out to the side he is napping. If the problem is starting from the word go, longreins are the best way to correct this and 'win'.
 
Can you distract him when he might be thinking about misbehaving, not wait until he does anything. So if he starts to misbehave at C for instance, before you get to C, you turn, or change the rein. This is something that as a rider, you have to learn, and it isn't easy. You have to be one step ahead of the horse and try to stop problems before they start.
 
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