Overcoming napping in horses

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[@jocrossley7727]

I echo the comment below re going backwards, spinning and once bolting off on a road! Would have been useful to see the footage going past the builders and how this was achieved x

[@TheHorsePhysio]

Noted!

[@FancySassy80]

thank you for mentioning the RS-tor.. i just ordered one.. my filly spins horribly and the last few trail rides i have come over her head and nearly broke my back.. which has kept me from riding out on hacks.. i'm so happy to see that you mentioned something and with some google search was able to read up on it.. thank you so much again..even if it was just a slight thing you ride with.. just mentioning it has brought me hope i'll be able to hack out on my youngster again without coming off over her head when she spins and bucks

[@TheHorsePhysio]

That’s great to know you’ve found some benefit. You might also like my book and dvd ‘Understanding Horse Performance: Brain, Pain or Training?’ which gives lots more insights, plus guest contributions from 27 eminent equestrians, and plenty of help figuring out where the problem stems from as well as what to do with it.

[@TheHorsePhysio]

www.ethicalhorseproducts.co.uk/QuickShop/Specials.php

[@jogargus1277]

Thank u

[@TheHorsePhysio]

Welcome

[@tansysmum2628]

Thanks for this encouraging video. I have a nappy mare who does the one foot at a time thing, she always naps to the left and is a right bent horse, it's exhausting.

[@TheHorsePhysio]

Tansy's Mum thank you for taking the time to comment, and I’m pleased to be able to offer encouragement. You might like to read my book and watch my dvd ‘Understanding Horse Performance: Brain, Pain or Training?’ to see if it gives you more insights: www.ethicalhorseproducts.co.uk/QuickShop/Specials.php.

[@TheTeapotte]

What do you do with a horse that goes backwards or tries to spin around instead of just stopping? He used to hack out all the time with no issues with his previous owners so not sure what happened

[@krystaldaniels7940]

Id take a riding session to just get on and slowly test out what cues work for him and just sit on him and learn his mannerisms. It took me a little bit to learn one of my mares quirks too! She was swinging her head side to side when i tried walking straight forward and would actually turn when i tried to keep her straight. After a couple of short rides in the roundpen i figured out that she neck reined beautifully and that stopped the head swinging😁

[@TheHorsePhysio]

There are always lots of possibilities, and in the UK you can ask for help from an Intelligent Horsemanship Recommended Trainer (www.intelligenthorsemanship.co.uk), or from your riding coach. If he used to hack out fine and there are now problems, I would want to rule out pain issues first of all.

[@gracejohnston7902]

I have the same problem at the minute, do you have any tips?

[@rosawilliams7205]

@@gracejohnston7902 I have the exact same issue too and it makes me want to cry. He’s not started rearing too. I know it’s not pain related as he’s fine in company and in the school. I really want to get the problem rectified but have no idea where to start looking :(

[@ProtectGWK]

What would you do if once you apply pressure to ask the forward the horse goes backwards when napping?

[@TheHorsePhysio]

There's no simple answer to that question. It might be that you keep the pressure on until the horse takes a step forwards, then release the pressure the instant they make an effort in the right direction. The thought process there is to make it uncomfortable to do what you don't want, and comfortable to do what you don't want. But there are many situations where this might not be the right / best / safe option. In the UK you can contact your local Intelligent Horsemanship Recommended Trainer for help at www.intelligenthorsemanship.co.uk.

[@TheTeapotte]

My horse was the same. What I found helped was turning him in a circle when he tried to go backwards, then releasing once we were going in the right direction of travel. It took a bit of patience and time but we went from refusing to go out the gate to cantering happily around fields without napping 😊 the other thing that helped me was to get down and walk him in hand a bit and then get back up

[@TheHorsePhysio]

@@TheTeapotte That's really helpful, thank you :-)

[@krystaldaniels7940]

That is exactly how my EPM mare does! We just got her diagnosis a week ago so now im assuming my girls behavior is related tp the epm🙁

[@TheHorsePhysio]

Glad you've got a diagnosis, hope it helps you to move forwards.

[@krisbraxton514]

Not quite sure how this is helpful as it does not show the problem behavior in the process of being corrected.

[@danielledewitt1]

Did you actually watch the video?

[@brittanyritenour4695]

She reminds me of haviah

[@estherbowness4465]

i dont know if this helps

[@mariakeenan4908]

I have a young 4 year old and was told to keep leg on and keep contact with reigns constantly because she is young. Is this correct or should I release leg pressure once she moves forward?

[@tigolbiddies337]

Maria Keenan release pressure when she moves forward, it teaches them that if they don’t move u put pressure wherever and when they move you don’t.

[@TheHorsePhysio]

Personally I don't believe in keeping any constant contact, as the horse then has to learn to switch off to your signals. I'd recommend asking for help from your riding coach, as each horse is an individual.

[@MsGroovalicious]

Please tell me what "Napping" in horses means. Thank you so much!

[@TheHorsePhysio]

MsGroovalicious reluctance to go forwards

[@brendareed8412]

Thank you for asking this. I was searching for a definition of napping.