Really backwards thinking, nappy pony - really need ideas

[[59668]]

Hello all.

I really need ideas to get my nappy, not off the leg pony thinking forwards and enjoying herself.

At home and hacking alone she is fine. Will jump anything eagerly, will hack alone. Will jump xc fences. No issues except on the flat in the arena. Where she is dead to the leg.

Out and about, xc, jumping, anything, she is nappy and won't step over a pole on the ground.

On the flat at home and in every situation out and about she is dead to the leg, whip, spurs, being chased, being led, having sand thrown at her bum....everything.

Any ideas?

 

[Red-1]

I may be a little confused, you say that at home and hacking alone she is fine? But out and about and in an arena she is nappy? So, where is she OK?

I will take a leap and think that you mean in the stable and local hacking she is fine, where not a lot is being asked, but if in an arena, even at home, and when asked to be active hacking she is not?

Basically that makes me think that wherever she has to put effort in she is nappy?

So, I would initially look at all medical things, such as teeth, saddle, performance work up from the vet....

HOWEVER... I do think that this is a schooling issue.

You say "On the flat at home and in every situation out and about she is dead to the leg, whip, spurs, being chased, being led, having sand thrown at her bum....everything."

To be fair, if every time I went into an arena or somewhere new I had leg, whip, spur, being chased and having sand thrown at my bum, I don't think I would be very keen either.

There is a wonderful video on Youtube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JViKZKgUixg

I would basically follow this pattern, focusing on what she does right rather than nagging for what she does wrong.

In my time I have dealt with many reluctant horses, and many have started off the same way. They are a bit slow, so the rider uses a lot of leg. The horse does move a bit more, but not ENOUGH more for the rider's wishes, so the rider keeps using leg. Makes sense to the rider, but from the horse's perspective, he tried moving more, and TBH it did not work for him, the legs kept a'flapping.

I really would watch the video right through. It will change how you perceive the schooling process from what you are thinking to what the horse will be thinking. Horses work in the now. If they move more and are still punished/pressured/kicked/ hit/ spurred/ have stuff thrown at them then they will soon quit moving more. It makes horses defensive.

For pressure to be effective it is not about how much pressure is put on, it is about the timing, especially the timing for taking the pressure OFF.

Enjoy the video.

 

[Shay]

Sounds like she might have gone sour? Obviously rule out pain - I'm not sure I really understand what you are saying when you say she jumps willingly and forward at home but out and about won't step over a pole? But with any reluctance to mobilize you will want to rule out musculo-skeletal issues and ulcers at the very least.

Are you able to turn her away for a few months? Anything niggling might heal - but it also helps them recuperate if they are soured.

Sometimes if they do the same boring thing in the arena they get bored and sour. Also if they are taken out and about too much - especially competitions - they can get sour and reluctant to work. Assuming there is no pain or anything underlying her behaviour then a good long break and bring back slowly.

If that isn't an option....

Not sure if you are still having lessons but if not then get some good instruction where they can see what is happening on the ground. Don't nag with your leg. One touch.. One firm tap, back up with a stick. once moving - sit still.

Some horses are more naturally forward than others and she may well just be one of those who are not. But you can still train her to respond to a lighter tap than nag nag nag.

Alternative teach her to move forward on vocal command? (No good if you do dressage though!)

Edited to add: Cross posted with Red - good suggestions there.

 

[canteron]

Interesting video, for other thoughts try this one as well https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWjRbkh0dDA (I like the fly analogy) the principle seems to be the same to me , absolute consistency and release from pressure for even a little bit of progress - and its worth going right back to the beginning to establish the principles - as much to retrain your habits as the habits of the horse.

Another thought, when you are jumping you are very focused on where you are going and have high energy .... and I guess that gives her confidence and a point to going where you want her to. When schooling try and borrow a bit of that, don't just do endless circles, etc. So for example, put some jump blocks in the school and do moving circles focussing on the blocks and when you get there stop and praise, or ride towards a block, being 100% focussed on the block, at the pace you want and then stop and praise. Utilise what you know she understands while you are introducing the new methods!!

 

[[59668]]

Thank you everyone. For sure I will watch the videos.

I mean literally that jumping xc or coloured poles at home she is fine. Forward and loving it. But as soon as I take her somewhere, to a clinic or a comp, she won't step over a pole. At home on the flat she is unwilling, but as soon as poles or jumps make an appearance she is forward.

I really appreciate the thoughts and links so thank you.

 

[[59668]]

I just wanted to say thanks again for the video links. I have watched all the way through and now feel I have a plan of action I feel happy with and can try out. So thanks guys!