Napping horse - your help please!

[Horsey Bird]

Hi all
This will be long but I’m hoping you can help.

2 months ago I moved Mary Lou to a new yard. She’s a 5yo IDx, very calm, very sensible and very willing (most of the time!!) although prone to unbelievable stubborness (no comparisons with women please!!). We’ve been out hacking quite a few times at the new place, always in company and she loves it. She cant wait to get going; in fact most of the time she powers ahead of any other horse and we have to stop periodically to let them catch up.

Today I took her out on alone for the first time. She was fine when we left the field, and she didn’t get concerned about being alone. We went on roads she knows well but after about 20 minutes she started napping (which is most unusual for her). In fact she is so good normally that I don’t even carry a whip when we ride out. I just don’t need it. Well today, she just decided she wasn’t going any further forward. No matter how often I asked her to move on (ie squeeze my legs on and make a “kissing” sound) she just refused. When she tried to turn around I pointed her back in the direction I wanted her to move in. But she was adamant she wasn’t going on, and there was too much traffic on the road for me to have a nappy horse, so I turned around. But instead of going back to the field, I turned off onto another road on our way back. She has never been on this road before and contrary to what I expected, she was as good as gold. She continued to walk & trot as requested.

At the end of that road I turned her away from home and asked her to move on, but she refused. Again we had a battle of wills, but to no avail, so I turned in the direction of home, but again once we got close I veered off onto another path. Again she was fine until we got to a point she knows well when she napped.

This time I got off and walked her on for a bit, then got on again. When I was off her, she stuck her head in my arms and kept it there. It was as if she was trying to tell me something but I just wasn’t getting it. When I got on, I decided to out-persevere her. In other words as long as she faced in the direction I wanted, I didn’t ask anything of her. 5 or 10 minutes went by and she started getting impatient and pawing the ground. I asked her forwards, got a lot of backwards instead, but I kept asking until I got one step forwards, then I quit asking and turned her back in the direction she wanted to go in. After that I had no more nappiness.

However, I’m concerned. I was only able to out-persevere her because by this time we were on a quiet bridlepath with no traffic. But there are a lot of roads around us, and I cannot afford the risk of her napping on busy roads. Its too dangerous for both of us.

Does anyone have any bright ideas on how to solve this? She wasn’t spooked by anything, she wasn’t afraid, in fact up until she napped, she was eagerly walking on. So I dont think it was lack of confidence on her part. But for some reason she did not want to go in the direction I asked and I just dont know why. I even tried smacking her with a thin branch I pulled off a tree but that didn’t work so I packed it in (I felt so guilty afterwards even though I only did it because I believe she was being stubborn :( )

What do you think?

[nutkin]

It is still early days at your new yard. I guess that some of her napping behaviour is to do with fear of the unknown. Horses have a very keen sense of smell and it is possible that she was happy to go forwards untill she could either no longer smell her companions or she smelt something that she felt was a threat. You obviously have a good relationship with your horse as she is willing to please you and all you can do is persevere with trying to get a little further each time you hack out. If she naps by going backwards and refusing to move forwards you could try making it look as though that is what you wanted to do by insisting that she keeps going back. Chances are she will get fed up walking backwards and want to go forwards again. Reward her as soon as she does so. Good luck

[AJB]

Hi HB! I think its just her age and a strange place..time and perserverence should win thru-however just be careful..I got my horse last July and initially took him out alone a couple of times-he was hyper and very nappy but ongoing...I was bit concerned so stuck to hacking in company of others, usally just two of us so he would take the lead and drop back as a reward etc-then last Feb I took him out alone-bad move he was cold, I was stressed and it was raining and he hadnt been out on a hack with others for weeks let alone on his own-anyway 20 minutes out he started napping and like you I pushed on, cajouled and got him going another way and then suddenly wham-he spooks at fly tipped rubbish, spins puts his head down and heads for home-fast!!!-I wouldnt say he bolted as I had steering and managed to stop him after about 300 yards (seemed like forever!!) and although it was country lane I still shudder as how we got away with it-a blind double s bend in canter,...looking back I think he was just not ready so I pulled back, have spent the spring summer and this winter will be the same, in steady company hacking as much as I can on as many diffrent routes as our area allows, asking for the lead more and more -now he will happily lead for an hour plus on his usual routes no napping etc and next summer will will go alone again-if I think hes ready...ML may be like him irish horses are broken young but so often all they do is hunt and thats in a crowd -hacking alone is a worry for them-god this is a ramble but I guess my advice is to take a step back and listen to her-I think shes not ready for lots of own stuff yet:)

[HairyCob]

HB... it's because she could smell her boyfriend who was going in the opposite direction!!:D :D ;)

Serious reply now.... didn't Nic come out this morning? If so, not only did she have the indignity of a saddle check, but then had to go out on her own... that is a little scary even for a big brave ML!!

I would put it all down to it being her first time out on her own, not being entirely sure where she was and wondering if she was infact going back to that nice field with her new friends and the handsome HC just across the hedge to squeal at.... or if she was on her way to another yard.... after all, last time you took her out of 'her' space on her own, she moved yard, didn't she?

I would be inclined to persevere as you are, and if she is nappy and it isn't safe (and, boy are there places round by us that just aren't ideal for a nappy session!) then get off and lead her- she still ends up going where you want instead of home, and it will increase her confidence.

When HC first moved to our neck of the woods, I led him round everywhere like an overgrown puppy- in fact some of the local horsey people commented that they felt I'd have been better off with a great dane! It paid off tho- once I started riding him out on his own, he had loads of confidence...... admittedly it went pear shaped recently, but that was my fault, not his!

Another idea is to ride her with someone she knows walking or cycling in front as 'lead horse'- gets them used to the idea of being the only horse without the stress of being 'lead' horse.

Anyway, good luck, and don't be disheartened- I'm sure this is a five year old at a new yard issue and nothing more sinister!

BTW, did HC and I spot you introducing ML to her new rug this afternoon?! He certainly thought something was going on with his girl over the hedge- I thought for a minute I was going to get carted through the hedge to join you!!:D ;) :o

[Horsey Bird]

Thanks all for your replies. You could be right, maybe she's just not ready for a solo hack. Well fair enough, I can wait for her. IN fact I'd rather do that because I cant imagine she enjoyed it very much today. I was so disgusted with myself for resorting to using the stick to back up my legs....yes I know thats what you're supposed to do and I didnt lose my cool with her so thats OK. But I still felt horrible for doing it because I never smack her.

Yes, HC that was me test-fitting yet another rug on the little Hulk! Third time lucky and this one fits thankfully. I think the tack shop were getting sick of laying out rugs on the floor and comparing different brands!

Speaking of Mary Lou's boyfriend....as we were walking along the top road we passed your field. The first thing she noticed were the shetlands at the gate...big jump skywards ...."where did they come from".... quickly followed by "what the heck are those little things?" Then she noticed HC lurking with intent in the hedge and got all interested.....

Also Nic did come today; the saddle needs adjusting so I wont be riding for a few weeks. It makes me wonder if the saddle fit is part of the problem although it didnt bother her on friday night when we were out with another gelding.

Ah well....thanks again all for your replies.

[Harry Hobbes]

Horsey Bird,

Your mare is exhibiting common bahavior known here in Montana, USA as being "barn sour", wherein the horse wants to return "home" because that's the place of comfort.

I've dealt with this several times over the past year while re-training a variety of pleasure-riding (hacking) horses.

One of the basic instincts of all horses (i.e., herd animals) is the need for comfort (horses are inherently lazy) and safety within the group (i.e., the herd), and this need manifests itself in many ways. Back at the barn, she knows everything and everyone, she gets to lay around and eat, hang out with the "herd", and therefore she has a high comfort level at the barn. (Note her reaction when she first observed the Shetlands: "They're not part of my herd! Are they predators?")

Out on the road, especially alone, without the company of the herd (even one other horse), her instincts tell her that she's vulnerable in predator country (Herd behavior says: "There's safety in numbers."). Barn sourness can be particularly acute when you take your horse into unfamiliar territory, such as over a new hacking route.

Another variation of "barn sour" is "buddy sour" wherein the horse must return to the company of one or two particular horses, in order to return to "comfort", regardless of locale. Buddy sour can occur if riders separate while hacking.

The standard practice prior to "enlightened equitation" (in its many forms) was to "get tough" with a barn (or buddy) sour horse and use more spurs, whips, and force.

But, you have to ask yourself if you really want to make an uncomfortable horse (alone and afraid/nervous) more uncomfortable by applying additional force, which also serves to further inhibit the horse's ability to think its' way through its' comfort dilemma, and manage its' fear. If you "whomp" on the horse, you'll be exhibiting predator behaviors, and causing additional discomfort; so the horse then becomes justified in its' fears.

You are actually ahead of the game in that you know at this point in time that Mary Lou will exhibit the same behavior the next time you hack out under similar circumstances.

How can I be so sure? Because her mis-behavior worked, and she got to come home. Granted it took awhile, but she got you to give up the hack and return home. Horses quickly learn what works to get their required comfort.

You may expect the same behaviors next time.

So what to do?

You need to teach Mary Lou that rushing/returning to the barn does not automatically result in being "done" and her getting instant relief (comfort). You need to associate returning to the barn with additional work, and hacking away from the barn with less work.

Here's how:

The operative principle is that she will get comfort by hacking out, and will get work (lack of comfort) when she turns back to the barn on her own volition.

Basicaliy, you must "put her to work" on practicing constructive equine skills every time you turn to the barn, AND as soon as you return to the barn. No hitting, spurring, whipping, etc.; just constructive work. We don't want fear and anxiety, we want lack of comfort when she gets "nappy".

1. Plan each hack as a training session, where you're going to take the time to teach her how uncomfortable it is to "be nappy". This means that until you've helped her solve this problem, each hack is for training purposes, not relaxation.

2. Depart on the training hack and go to an area where you can maneuver her safely (you need to "recce" the site), just far enough from the barn, where she can either see the barn or she knows it's a short distance away. (I have a "remote training area" one mile from the barn, where the horse I train can safely work, adjacent to a busy road, with all of the distractions, and in full view of the barn across the wheat fields.)

3. At the training area, turn her back to the barn, let her see she's returning, and then put her to work walking circles (voltes), figure 8's, or some other familiar training exercise. Continue the exercise until she settles and accepts the work. (This may take one or more hours. You also need a repetoire of basic exercises.)

4. Then turn outbound again and hack out easy, going just far enough to allow her to settle and get comfortable travelling outbound.

5. If she gets nappy, or tries to turn for the barn, then go right back to the exercises immediately (repeat step 3).

6. At some point not to distant, turn back to the barn again and repeat the sequence starting as step 3. Every time you turn to the barn, put her back to work.

7. When she is settled and you are ready to return to the barn, then turn her for home and ride back at a walk. Do not rush home and if she rushes, then repeat the sequence starting at step 3 again.

Anytime she does not listen and obey you, or tries to rush home, put her back to work. When she does listen and obey, cease the work.

8. When you return to the barn, do not dismount and untack, but go back to work on the exercises immediately. Work her for a good period of time until she's settled in the work and not exhibiting anxiety and then let her know that you're done working with the following:

9. While still mounted have her face away from the barn, toward some area off premises and just stand there for five minutes looking at nothing in particular, but just relaxing. If she moves her feet (other than shifting her weight to stand comfortably) then go back to work on the exercises. When she can stand comfortably with you still mounted for five minutes, then dismount and you're done.

Repeat this entire procedure while hacking several times, varying the details, but adhering to the basic principles, and always standing quietly for five minutes prior to dismounting.

Remember, she is seeking comfort; use that to your advantage.

You can read about the basic theory, principles and techniques for this problem and many other similar problems in:
Communicating With Cues: Part II The Rider's Guide To Training And Problem Solving. By John Lyons. ISBN 1-879-620-56-1.

Try this and let us know how you and Mary Lou do.


Best regards,
Harry

[epcd3000]

Harry, I've read some of your replies and I have to say that you have excellent ideas! It gave me a whole new picture of what I ever need to do if the situations arise. Thank ya'. :D

[Harry Hobbes]

epcd3000,

Thank you.

The ideas are all derived from the modern "horsemanship" principles and concepts that have begun to flower here in the American West (cowboy country), from such "masters" as the Dorrance brothers and Ray Hunt (et al).

A large group of the current world-class horse trainers are now basing their methods and techniques on what they learned about the horse from the above cited masters.

Basically, modern methods and technique are more "enlightended" from the perspective that they are based upon using natural horse instinct and herd behaviors to affect training.

So we don't "tie up legs" or "snub him to a post" any more. We use "pressure and release" or "ask and give" just as horses do to each other when humans are not involved.