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Discussion on Napping Pony
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 10, 1999 - 6:51 am:
Naps? I have not heard the term used this way before. Your instructor may have a good plan, the question is when done did the pony have a good and willing attitude. It may take several sessions and the pony will know the difference between you on the back and the instructor and may take advantage of you selectively if you do not learn to correct the bad behavior.
There are other ways to correct this behavior and which you use depends on the reason the horse does what it does. Nervousness requires time and gentleness, willfulness stronger means. Is this behavior recent and how did it come on?
DrO
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ida |
Posted on Thursday, Jun 10, 1999 - 1:34 pm:
Stephenie: first, a whip is a quick fix not for correcting a consistant behaviour. I do give my horse the whip sometimes when I feel he has something on his mind; so I will give him one when I feel he's going to drag me to places or rear or spin. Usually I use my whip when I know he's going to do something; that's when it's most effective. So right when your horse start to do backward motion when your cue is forward; or when he is preparing to buck by dipping his head, you give him one and ride forward.
I am not a particularly strong rider so I try not to create situation where I have to force my horse to do something...becasue once a fight starts he's going to win. So stop him before this happens and encourage willingness by giving him incentives.
When your horse stops when you are heading out from the barn, tell yourself 'this is fine'... both of you are calm and he is not acting up. Great. Ask him one forward step, if he does it, just one tiny step, give him a carrot and head back home. Turn away from the barn again and see if he'll go a little bit further, and stop (when you feel he cannot take it further anymore), ask one little forward step and reward. During one session, you should be able to advance oh maybe 10 steps. But a few sessions down the road you should be out of the barn. don't forget to make the hack short and fun; with lots of treats while at the trail. Don't forget bug spray; some horses are so bugged out on trail they don't want to go there again. Stop frequently for grass. for the first few times, always go back to the barn when he seems okay... don't wait till he's really worried and wants to bolt home.
Good luck! -Ida
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Deborah stephanie's sister |
Posted on Thursday, Jun 10, 1999 - 1:57 pm:
Napping is a term used in the UK, sorry! Now that I think about it the behaviour began I think when we were out on a ride and two horses came galloping past in the other direction right past our horses without a word of warning or any attempt to slow down. My friend's horse immediately turned and galloped right along with them, but my pony just panicked. He would not move in any direction and just stood there and reared until I managed to calm him down.
Then he refused to go in the direction that we wanted to go , wanting to follow the horses. I did an extremely stupid thing and gave up after he did a huge buck and I got my leg stuck over the front of the saddle.
However, I didn't let him go home, we just took another path.
But since then he has panicked if a horse/person/dog is walking towards him. He'll be fine if a dog chases him, even if it bites his heels, but anything in front of him is a big no-no.
I managed to sort it in the end, just by not giving up. If we were in a safe place and he started to be silly I wouldn't get angry, just keep quietly insisting that he move forwards, and when he got bored he'd give up.
But when my sister got him she was inexperienced, so I think he thinks that he's got it easy! Now he's much worse, even if I get on him he won't listen!
Anyway, thanks for the advice, We'll try some of the stuff you suggested.
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Ida |
Posted on Tuesday, Jun 15, 1999 - 11:49 am:
Deborah: I really think you are heading at the right direction. Previousely I was thinking your pony is being barn sour. I think with persistance he will listen; just don't push him beyound his comfort level. When a horse/person/dog is coming towards you, why don't you stop your horse and ask him to stand quietly until they pass by. When he stops and stands quietly, let him munch on the grass, and praise him.
Ida
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