Re: really REALLY nappy pony!

 oh all her tack is correct, and she just had her teeth done and hooves reshod, if that helps, so I don't think she is in any pain!

Re: really REALLY nappy pony!

Here is a weird one, I used to ride an ex-army horse called Patrick he had the broard arrow mark brand, now in Sutton Park walking or trotting along a path came to a certain spot and refused to pass and napped, this happened at several places otherwise a beautiful kind horse, when was telling a friend of mine who was into the history of Sutton Park and was telling him he asked where these spots were on the map so I showed him, now this is the weird bit as where Patrick had napped is where a murder victim had been found over the years, but it appeared it only happened where the person was never caught as I put it to the test, as a woman was murdered by Banners Gate but the person got caught no reaction from Patrick, still wondering. Now Sabrina naps alot this is alot due to her being either trying it on, being frightend but just needs understanding and TLC as everything else has been checked out.

Re: really REALLY nappy pony!

I think the most imprtant thing is to figure out whether she is nappign coz she is scared or nervous of something or whether she is just trying it on.

When Coco is scared of something he normally stiffens up and slows down, his head will get higher and higher, he is very focussed on a specific thing, he quivers his bottom lip (so sweet) and if he is petrified you can feel his whole body quivering and he will try and spin and run from the hideously scary scene! I normally let him stand and just look at what he is scared of. keep a contact so that he cant spin and run, but speak to him reassuringly and give him a rub/scratch on his withers. generally I feel him start to relax a bit, his head will start to lower and then I will ask him to take a step forward. As soon as he takes a step he gets loads of praise and reassurance and that is normally enough to convince him to give it a go and tip toe past but he will occassionally take a step, stop again, relax a bit, take another step, stop again, relax, step forwards again etc. I see it as my job to make him feel safe and convince him its not so scary and let him take the time to figure it out. 

If it is stobborness I know when Coco is likely to do it, eg there are certain routes which if we turn one way we are going out for a longer ride, another way is a short route and sometimes he says 'No I'm going the short way!'  I will now sponge the rein in the direction we are going to turn in advance of the turning so he knows where we are planning on going. I will put the schooling whip in the hand of the direction he would like to go and if he feels a bit resistant will tickle him on the botttom to remind him I have it there and I will use the leg on the side he will nap towards more strongly and tell him in a firm voice to walk on. Keep a good contact so that there is no chance of the head coming up, contact disappearing and enabling them to turn. If he starts slowing he gets a really big pony club kick and and tell him to walk on in a strong voice, if the kick doesn't work I will use the schooling whip to back up my leg aid. He does now go forwards and as soon as he does he gets praise for doing as I ask and the napping is very rare now, it used to be many times on every ride!

A few other little tips that used to work, if she turns to go the other way, keep turning her in tight little circles, go round and round and then when you are facing the way you want to go straighten up and give a big kick forwards. They will often take a step or two as they are either slightly confused as to the direction or just glad not to be doing tini tiny circles any more and once you have got them movintg they are easier to keep moving so then positive praise while kicking forwards. Another thing that worked, normally if Coco was scared, was reversing him past the sticky spot! Coco likes to reverse, ok we will reverse until we are past the point and then 'wow look we are past it, shall we try forwards again!'  very occasionally I have had to get off but only if it is a scared nap and he is really too scared to do it on his own. We had this at the weekend for the 1st time in over a year as there was a dead badger on the side of the road with its head in the grass. Poor baby was quivering all over and I cant blame him coz he had no idea if the badger was wating to get him or what. There was no way he was going to relax and go past so I got off and walked in between him and the badger reassuring him the whole way. On the way back he was nervous but I didn't need to get off. 

Good luck and keep at it, they all have to try their luck occasionally but you will get her through this!   

Re: really REALLY nappy pony!

jenappaloosapony said:

she starts backing up, I tighten my reins a bit and kick. In the end my mum has to pull a bit on her noseband underneath, and then she is still reluctant. In company she is a different

------ End Quote ---

Dont tighten your reins when you want her to go forward. You are restricting her forwards movement and giving herself something to set herself against. This will actually encourage her to back up and nap more.

Instead leave them quite loose and tickle her with slight circle motions with your feet (not kicking, squeezing) and say walk on firmly.You can also try resting your hands on her withers and rubing them in a gentle forward motion to reassure her (this also creates a gentle give-take feel down the rein and stops you lifting your hands too high). If she still doesnt walk on ask nicely like this one more time and then if she still refuses, keep the reins loose and kick her hard enough to mean business. It doesnt matter if she jumps forward, any forward movement should be praised.  If she still doesnt go forward then back up with a sharp tap of the whip right behind your leg and a full growling "get on" . She needs to know you mean it everytime or this could become a dangerous as well as annoying habit.

Re: really REALLY nappy pony!

 first of ll u need to figure out the problem. it could be.... 

ur tack not fitting or not in good condition, your horse may be not be sound and could be lame (check him over), it could be that he is trying to say that he is not up to the level that u r, lack of confidence maybe, maybe your confusing him (saying 1 thing with your hands and another with your legs remember they r sensitive), or maybe they sense danger, or maybe they r just trying it on lol.

If your horse lacks the confidence to hack out alone, ride out with a companion to help him to gain confidence and get over this.Ride more determinedly to get the message across that you will not tolerate disobedience. Confident riding from you will create confidence in the horse - don't flap and fuss! Horses hate this and will take advantage of a weak ineffective rider.Turn your horse's head away from the object it is napping from and use your outside leg strongly behind the girth, backed up with your stick if necessary.Another tactic to try if your horse refuses to go forward for no good reason is to turn him quickly in very small circles. This will distract him. After a few turns ride him on strongly - and remember to reward him and make a lot of fuss if he does go forward.If your horse naps and won't go forwards, asking for reinback and then repeating the request to go on may inspire obedience.

hope i helped !