What to do with unhackable horse/find new safe horse?

LaurenM

LaurenM

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Hello everyone,

I've had my horse reschooled before Christmas due to napping on the roads. He came back fine but something has triggered it off again - no idea what though. However this time he has realised his strength and despite being in a 3 link gag and flash cannot be stopped easily i.e. he stops when he wants not when he's told.

The trainer has recommended sticking to routes where I feel confident (around the village) and to avoid hacking towards the forestry for four months. This is because the trainer feels he is too unresponsive in the forestry area and hopes that he'll forget if avoided for a while? Not likely in my opinion though.

I want a hacking horse though and he's not enjoying being hacked. I've advertised him for a companion/schooling home as he can be schooled on the buckle and is really well behaved around other horses. Would anyone have such a horse?

Also does anyone know of a safe horse on the roads for sale in the South West/Wales region? I just want to enjoy hacking again!
 
Whats he like with company? Have you ever tried leading him in hand to give him confidence and do some ground work with him whilst out
 
1 of mine is never hacked, though I'm hoping for her enjoyment to introduce it this spring.

It wouldn't bother me but it would have to be able to do something else like dressage or jump and I would possibly want to take it to shows which is different than hacking.

If you want to hack and he doesn't obviously something needs to change!

There are lots of horses that like to just hack.
 
I'm in the same position. My horse is beautifully schooled in the field but dangerous outside of it. All checks done and even had an AC do a reading on her (dissapointing to say the least).

I miss going out for a pootle with the dogs in tow :( I'm sure there is a market for your horse but mine's too old to pass on unfortunately.
 
cai said:
I never understand this solution as if I can't control it on top, I have no chance on the ground!
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This completely depends on the type of napping. If it is due to lack of confidence, then it often helps the horse to have someone on the ground leading them and showing them it's ok. For naughty nappers, it's disastrous as it teaches them how to get out of work.

OP - I'm sure there are people who wouldn't mind not hacking or who perhaps could solve the hacking problem.
 
I've had him over a year and as you'll see from the history of threads - I've done everything imaginable ranging from feeding him his dinner whilst leading him, walking the routes, groundwork etc.

The trainer said if I were to ride 3 times a week then I should also lead him twice around the same route. Inside though; I just feel that he won't change (I have had 3 people help me).

Friends have said that they think he wasn't broken in correctly and that something must've happened to him. After purchasing him, I found out he was a field companion for 4 years so it would make sense that he had been involved in some form of accident. Other people have said that they think it's all in his head. I agree with both.

I would be happy with competing at local shows but as he was previously loaded with electric tape, he is virtually a non loader and it's not fair on putting him through the stress.
 
cai said:
I never understand this solution as if I can't control it on top, I have no chance on the ground!
Click to expand...

I think it depends on whether he is napping because he is worried (wont go forwards) which using in hand stuff will work as he will treat you as a leader and follow.

But i agree that if he is napping to be naughty!! In hand wont necessarily work as you said, holding him would be near impossible (without going down the chiffney/ pressure halter/ more than 1 leader route)

I would send him to the trainers/ get her to take him out again and you watch so you can figure out what buttons she presses to make him work properly.

But if this doesn't work... there is no shame in putting your hands up and saying its not for me!! Horses are a hobby that you are meant to enjoy, not punishment

V x
 
You'll find someone that wants a horse just to school, i know plenty that never hack and more than happy just going round the school.

How old is he and how big????
 
cai said:
I never understand this solution as if I can't control it on top, I have no chance on the ground!
Click to expand...

My share Horse was very nappy on her own, She came from a riding school so I guess she was just used to following the Horse in front all the time. She didn't have alot of confidence at all, She's been lead out in hand and that did help her.

But I wouldn't do that with a Horse that napped from naughtiness. So only certain situations I think it works.
 
I had the trainer up last week - he spun and the guy had to hold on to one rein with both hands to stop him. The trainer said it was very dangerous.

He's 16 and to be fair, has never been worked half as much as what I've been doing with him (4-5 times a week hacking).

On the ground, he'll still try and spin. It feels like it comes down to, the more I ride, the more he tries it on and the worse he gets. Its odd, despite not having as much control as desired I do feel safe on him.

I just want a loving home for him but feel that I am better loaning as that way I can state no hacking in the contract and ultimately I still have control over his quality of life.
 
Sammii819 said:
You'll find someone that wants a horse just to school, i know plenty that never hack and more than happy just going round the school.

How old is he and how big????
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16yrs 15.2hh Sec.D. He is such a lovely horse although needs someone experienced as he can be difficult to catch. I've asked the local riding schools but they are so full that they are selling their own.
 
What a shame that he has resorted back to bad behaviour, can the trainer you sent him too not come to you and see what he is doing, maybe walk out with you and give you a hacking lesson?? Did they hack him out whilst he was away??

How old is the horse??

Although the horse is narrowing his selling options (no hacking / loading etc) there may be still someone out there he would be suited to, you can but try.

It's meant to be fun afterall :-)
 
cai said:
I never understand this solution as if I can't control it on top, I have no chance on the ground!
Click to expand...

My mare has serious confidence issues which can manifest in serious napping (whip-rounds, rears, reversing, small bucks) and it is something that I have worked on to such an extent that you would really never guess that she has this problem. We have even escorted young horses and one that had been hit by a car was given the confidence to hack again by coming out with us. :D I was so proud. :cool:

One of the biggest 'helps' in giving her confidence was discovering that she felt much safer when I was leading her past a scary thing, rather than riding past it.

When you are on the roads with traffic it is also safer to not have a horse that is leaping around in front of said traffic. So if the farmer had left some machinery in a gateway and she was getting tense, I would ask her to stand for me to dismount, lead her calmly past it and then get her to stand nicely for me to remount. The next time we went past it, she would be calm enough for me to ride by as it didn't eat her the first time! :rolleyes:

So the answer to your question is, it makes a huge difference for my horse. I don't understand why so many people are anti 'getting off'. The main benifit that I have found is that my mare is now fab to get on and off as many times as I need (opening gates, picking up dropped items etc...).
 
LaurenM said:
I had the trainer up last week - he spun and the guy had to hold on to one rein with both hands to stop him. The trainer said it was very dangerous.

He's 16 and to be fair, has never been worked half as much as what I've been doing with him (4-5 times a week hacking).

On the ground, he'll still try and spin. It feels like it comes down to, the more I ride, the more he tries it on and the worse he gets. Its odd, despite not having as much control as desired I do feel safe on him.

I just want a loving home for him but feel that I am better loaning as that way I can state no hacking in the contract and ultimately I still have control over his quality of life.
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Sorry, posted at the same time, sounds like you have tried everything.
 
Faracat said:
My mare has serious confidence issues which can manifest in serious napping (whip-rounds, rears, reversing, small bucks) and it is something that I have worked on to such an extent that you would really never guess that she has this problem. We have even escorted young horses and one that had been hit by a car was given the confidence to hack again by coming out with us. :D I was so proud. :cool:

One of the biggest 'helps' in giving her confidence was discovering that she felt much safer when I was leading her past a scary thing, rather than riding past it.

When you are on the roads with traffic it is also safer to not have a horse that is leaping around in front of said traffic. So if the farmer had left some machinery in a gateway and she was getting tense, I would ask her to stand for me to dismount, lead her calmly past it and then get her to stand nicely for me to remount. The next time we went past it, she would be calm enough for me to ride by as it didn't eat her the first time! :rolleyes:

So the answer to your question is, it makes a huge difference for my horse. I don't understand why so many people are anti 'getting off'. The main benifit that I have found is that my mare is now fab to get on and off as many times as I need (opening gates, picking up dropped items etc...).
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Your mare sounds exactly like mine, and i have tackled the problem in the same way you have, i too don't see a problem with getting off, each horse is individual, what works for one may not for another, but, the difference is a nappy horse that is nervous or a nappy horse that is nappy because its being naughty.
 
Have every sympathy with you. My new horse is testing me on the roads.

As it sounds like your horse has had some brutal handling in the past (electric tape to load a horse !) then perhaps a different approach might help? e.g. some of Monty Roberts and/or Kelly Marks' philosophies might work, particularly with regard to loading?

Monty Roberts is coming to our area on 26 Feb (Bristol).

There are also intelligent horsemanship accredited trainers around.

Debbie

(P.S. I also support the view that it is better to quietly win the battle by getting off and back on than to have a dangerous fight on the road.)
 
On the occasions that I have dismounted, he tries to trot off when I'm getting back on. I've got the back person coming up next week although I don't think that will make any difference.

It's a real shame as we've already worked through so much together and do have a good bond. I just genuinely think he doesn't want to be ridden.

He can be like a donkey on the village route but even then I have to go in company as he refuses to go over the bridge on his own. I just wish I could read his mind lol!

Anyone fancy horse shopping for me? Looking for 14.2hh+ horse for happy hacking, local shows etc :)
 
cai said:
I never understand this solution as if I can't control it on top, I have no chance on the ground!
Click to expand...

I have a horse that is difficult to hack alone. However, I can take him anywhere in hand. His is a lack of confidence when ridden although god only knows why, he is good (generally) in company, very good if following someone on foot or on cycle.


Saying that, I have been advised by my vet to walk my 30yr old out in hand a couple of times a week to help with the arthritus. I can barely keep hold of him on grass.
 
Re the original question, I do think you will find someone for him. Not sure if you have said whether he is any good hacking in company? Many people only ever hack out with others, and school the rest of the time.

I am in a similar position in that mine has totally knocked my confidence (somethign I thought would never happen to me!) so we are now in a vicious circle in that I have to work myself up to taking him out, and if anythign happens even quite small it bothers me.

I only really want to hack now and I can't really so what to do? Don;t really want to send him home (he is on loan) though. :(
 
He doesn't seem phased about whether he's in company or not - either way his objective is to get out of working and head home. I always spin him back around and kick him on - he'll settle if heading towards the village but worsens if heading towards the forestry.

If you know of anyone looking for a horse to school/keep as a companion please feel free to PM me. As i've said, he can be schooled on the buckle and is so responsive in the riding paddock - he just seems to hate hacking.
 
If you wanted to have one last try ...... I think you and horse need to go away together for a holiday with a good trainer who also is very good on biomechanics/position.

I think you need somewhere different to hack where you have no bad associations and can build it up field by field.

I also suspect that now you are becoming tense expecting horse to nap so are adding to the problem and may need someone who gave you really good advice on how not to let your body betray your fear?

I could suggest someone here in Suffolk ......but I guess you need someone nearer home.

Good luck.
 
LaurenM said:
I've had my horse reschooled before Christmas due to napping on the roads. He came back fine but something has triggered it off again - no idea what though.
Click to expand...
OP in the nicest possible way, this is the problem - you. Your trainer has proved that the horse is not nappy, but has failed to give YOU the tools to prevent it from happening. He/she has fixed the horse, given it back, and not fixed you. I would imagine the advice about "not going into the forestry" is aimed at you and not the horse - i.e., gain confidence with the horse first before going further afield.

The problem with selling him and getting another is, if he isn't the problem, then it will happen again.

If your trainer fixed it, have you asked him/her to come and hack him out on your home turf? To watch how you handle and ride the horse, and see what happens when it naps with you?

Sounds a horrible situation but I really do feel you may be at risk of losing a lot of money, having a lot of heartache, and ending up with the same problem.

Are there any other good trainers/instructors near to you? I do think he sounds worth a second opinion/try.

ETA, from what you have said about him, he sounds far too promising to be a companion. Don't waste him xx
 
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Hmm, not sure I can help solve the issue here - him being a welsh cob (ie strong-willed and buggers if they know their own strength, they're not daft!!) means you do have a bit of a battle on your hands. It does maybe sound like you and him are not suited. i actually feel a lot of these types of situations boil down to confidence and trust (you in him and him in you) and if trust isn't there you have an uphill battle. i think you do need to see the people who rectified the problem take him out on home turf and see how they go.

If you are looking for another though - maybe consider 'rescuing' this one off these people (she obviously actually glows in the dark and has a head made of steal!!)

http://www.horsemart.co.uk/all_rounder_horse_10_yrs_8_mths_15_1_hh_bay_cheshire/advert/147330
 
ladyt25 said:
Hmm, not sure I can help solve the issue here - him being a welsh cob (ie strong-willed and buggers if they know their own strength, they're not daft!!) means you do have a bit of a battle on your hands. It does maybe sound like you and him are not suited. i actually feel a lot of these types of situations boil down to confidence and trust (you in him and him in you) and if trust isn't there you have an uphill battle. i think you do need to see the people who rectified the problem take him out on home turf and see how they go.

If you are looking for another though - maybe consider 'rescuing' this one off these people (she obviously actually glows in the dark and has a head made of steal!!)

http://www.horsemart.co.uk/all_rounder_horse_10_yrs_8_mths_15_1_hh_bay_cheshire/advert/147330
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These broad and dangerous accusations and diagnoses based solely on breed absolutely do my head in, sorry. And moreover will be of no help whatsoever to the OP, but potentially terribly damaging. I wouldn't be surprised if the "Welsh" hocus pocus has already been thrown at the OP elsewhere and exacerbated the situation.

Agree the horse is throwing something at the rider, but that's what they do, and that's what good instructors are there to fix. They show us (the hobby rider, apols OP if this is not what you are, but it is what I am) how to deal with curve balls our horses can and will throw, if they are so inclined! :)

And as for the ad, are you serious? Get rid of a nice 16hh Welsh and replace with this? Nothing against the poor horse, simply the ad. The horse may be grand, but I can't see it.

Although, has to be said, ads like that might convince owners to work with what they have.
 
Agree with the poster who said that it would be a good idea to look at how you feel about hacking. The fact that you have said that you do not think he is the right one, also makes me question how much faith you had in him when he came back.
Nappy horses do sap ones confidence, the Old Appy was a nightmare to begin with (and could still be a baggage at 30+). The less faith you have in him, the worse his behaviour will get, so I think I would be looking at finding him somewhere else to live. Just keep in mind that good allrounders are finding it hard to shift in the current eccomonic climate.
 
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