Help with nappy horse please.

[jsb]

Hi - this is about my daughters horse that we have had about 8-9 weeks. He is 12 and previously he was a driving horse in ireland, then he was at a trekking centre in UK for about 3-4 months and one of  their favourites - YO had too many horses for her land at the time and I had been looking for about 6 moths for a suitable horse for daughter, so we were able to try several of her horses.

The first stables we were at - unfortunately the first day he was out with 2 really big horses one of them got kicked ( no one saw so no one knows if it was ours to not) anyway - we were then not allowed to put ours out with others and YO said we could have our trial time still and use a field on his own, but that we needed to look for new yard as she didn't have space for a gelding .. we found space at new yard just down the road on his own in a field. He was pretty settled but were never sure if he was really going to be more settled if there was a field mate close by. Last week an veteran pony was added to the field next to him - he was quite fretful to be brought to stand at stables away from buddy at first but each day has got better.. however it does seem he has begun to be nappy to the point daughter is not able to confidently ride out at the moment - which is what we bought him for..

We had to work on a bit of napping when we moved stables but we thought we had got that sorted.
He has had back check and teeth about a month a go.
Better saddle fitted about 6 weeks ago but has changed shape a little so it might need looking at again.
We took back shoes off a month ago as we had hoped he could go in a field with others and that would help apparently allay anyones fears of a kick ( that is debatable though from what I hear) he was very footsore and we decided to put them back on as it was hard to ride anywhere as all the ground is stony or tarmac for a good mile or two before we get to fields .. 

Daughter had started working with a cross over bitless bridle - he seemed very happy in it but now he naps in that too - but that could be something we are doing wrong with that - so we put his normal snaffle bridle back on. so he has had a lot of changes ! Today she was very discouraged as he napped badly and she is struggling to win when that happens. she did get off and lead him where she wanted to go but still felt she had lost all the handwork and advancement we had made. He HAD been good at hacking up to other places and being independent ( as we dont have other people to ride out with at the moment) This has stumped us. It COULD be the saddle needs re-looking at (saddler said it may and its been about 6 weeks of new eating habit).. we are only going to use the normal bridle for now. What suggestions do you have for this napping behaviour? should we just get more work on the ground or ride this out? We try to ride at least every other day at the moment so he is not left long without some kind of work. Would lunging help? 

[jsb]

just to add - he does not spin but its a rather slow motion turn where he locks his neck. we had thought to do the opposite of what a lot of people recommend with that - i.e. often people say turn him the opposite way he is trying to go. Then we decided to keep the motion going but as for straight ahead when in the right direction .. didn't seem to work either !Today we wanted to do anything to get his feet moving in the direction he needs to go but its such a battle and I dont want it get dangerous or so frustrating that its stalemate! He seeming to really want to be back in his field by his mate! Could this be just the first week of settling down with new mate ( who is fenced off but they can talk to each other)? we still some walk. stop. turns etc on the yard so he wasnt just rushing back to his comfort zone.  He is only now showing this nappy behaviour on leaving the yard  after a pretty good 8 weeks or so - is he just trying it on? is that usual to do this as a new horse settling in still? any help would be appreciated!

[alonerawnut]

I'd say it's still early days for him feeling settled with you, especially as he wasn't with the trekking centre long and he's had a bit of change since arriving with you. I would do more trust-building stuff at the yard / in the field and then start taking him just a little way out before bringing him back, probably in hand first.

It might be worth getting an IH RA out to give you some techniques to use when he needs reassurance.

[jsb]

Hi thanks for that. Actually today ( not having seen this yet) I just piddled around in his field first before doing any handling and then poo picked. Then I did his morning routine of feet etc… much less stressy. Then I decided to just take him in hand up the road but asking him things along the way such as stand , walk on.. etc.. and decided to take a few treats as reward when he did what he needed to. I tried to keep it light, , took him to a few spooky bits up the road that he for some reason got stressy and just made that a nice experience - let him eat the verge for a while. All my commands I made sure he was listening and he was soon walking trotting stopping with just a voice command and my body language! so I think that is the way to go .. and we possibly will start long lining him. I do see that keeping the bond building on the ground essential. He IS a good boy in that when he is not stressed he is very responsive. So that helped me think this is going to get better. He only neighed once to his field mate and by the end of our session was very relaxed and really listening. Planning on getting a dually maybe too.. although just in a head collar and working his brain and feet he was his normal happy self.. I feel a bit silly walking out with him in hand a lot ( other riders from our other stables see us and probably wonder what we are doing ! LOL) but I KNOW that building trust is essential. Thank you for writing and the advice.

[safespacepsychology]

'Wondering' is an excellent state for their wee brains to be in....it comes just before exploring and discovering! ;-)

[jsb]

He is doing MUCH better:) we are of course getting better at reading him too . He definately enjoys interaction with us. His field situation ( having an old horse next to his field with electric fence) does not seem to be a problem or a positive one really. The old horse keeps himself to himself around the corner where ours can't see him - I was concerned he is stressed about that ( I am sure he would like actually field company but am not sure how or when that would happen at this livery).. but despite that he has been ridden out off the yard every day for the last week and daughter is now managing any napping behaviour straight away….so I think he may have settled back down. We still dont over face him on a hack but he is doing pretty well now I think. We will get a dually anyway to have for ground work which always helps his brain. Thanks for the tips!

[portiabuzz]

Best of luck on your journey x