why does he nap out hacking?

[$uzie]

My pony Jack is great in everything - apart from hacking in company. he's fine to hack out by himself but whenever we go out in company he becomes really silly and naps badly - when we try to leave the yard and when we are out. I don't understand why he would nap more when we ride out with friends than by himself? I'd have though it be the other way around? Ovbiously I'd like to have a pony that I can hack out on with friends and not just bymelf, so do you have any ideas on how to overcome this and why he does it?

suzie xxxx

[Holly B]

Perhaps he is just showing off and getting over excited at seeing other horses. My pony gets really strong in company and whenever we have a canter she tries to race the other horses, and my sister's pony sometimes naps when we ride out with friends.
I think the best thing is to a) ride out in company more often, even if it isn't very enjoyable at first, as you may find your pony gets used to other horses being there and calms down. And b) Just be firm- whenever he plays up kick him on, and back up your aids with the flick of a whip if neccessary. Also, you could try meeting up with friends half way through the ride rather than straight away.

[Dizzy]

My mare hates not being lead horse:( though she's getting better about now, but she can still be a little bag. Her ears go back and she pulls the most horrible faces, her mouth hardens, and she hollows.

Put her up front and she's an angel. Maybe Jack is like Breeze, and is spitting the dummy because he's not the leader.

[miggy]

My mare was like this-I posted here and got some useful advice. I think with her that she is quite insecure and sort of copes with being brave if its just me and her but if theres another horse she just wimps out and wants to let someone else face the dangers. She would, if in front, spook madly, stop dead at scarey (!) objects and refuse to go past (these were all things that she wouldnt even look at if alone).
No instant fix really, much better now though. Just kept taking her out in company, making her go in front and alongside and switched to wip wop instead of stick.

[$uzie]

thanks for all the advice guys!

HollyB - meeting up with friends halfway through the ride is actually a really good idea, thank you for it! It'll hopefully mean that jack will think he's going out by himself and so hopefully behave - meaning that i'll be confident fromthe start and hopefully we wont' have as many problems!

i'm quite glad that it isn't just me that has this problem, it's made me feel not so useless!

thanks for all the advice again!

suzie xxx