| © 2004 Andy Curry | | | | most effective ways to solve the napping problem. |
| All Rights Reserved | | | | The tradeoff is that it also takes the most time. But so |
| If you ever rode a horse that would stop and refuse | | | | what? Horse training is about patience. |
| to go forward then you would know how absolutely | | | | So what do you do? Simply sit in the saddle. You'll |
| annoying it is. | | | | want to give your horse enough rein to stretch his |
| Why do they stop? Because that's their reaction to a | | | | neck but don't give him so much that he can graze. |
| worrisome or unpleasant situation. Even nervous and | | | | Then you simply sit there until he decides to move |
| timid horses can stake themselves to the ground | | | | forward. Don't let him go left or right. Don't let him back |
| because they are apprehensive about leaving the herd | | | | up or turn around and head home. Don't kick him. Don't |
| or the barn. | | | | yell at him. |
| What other reasons are there for napping? One is the | | | | You are telling your horse it's okay to stand still but he |
| horse simply doesn't know what to do. They'd rather | | | | doesn't get to anything but stand there or move |
| stop and stand than move forward. If your horse naps | | | | forward. |
| in a place he's familiar with (ie. your home area) then | | | | At some point the horse should move forward. When |
| you should check your tack for things like a bad fitting | | | | he does, give him plenty of reward. |
| saddle. The pain could finally become unbearable and | | | | The results from waiting for your horse to move |
| the horse simply won't move. | | | | forward are far better with patience and kindness than |
| Often, horses will react to bad fitting tack by rearing or | | | | trying to force your horse to move. Sure, it may take a |
| bucking. So when tack is bad fitting, napping is a pretty | | | | l-o-n-g time for him to move but he'll eventually feel |
| good alternative compared to rearing or bucking. | | | | safe enough to do it - or he may get bored just |
| Another place a horse may nap is riding around an | | | | standing there - and you should know that boredom |
| unfamiliar area. If he naps during this then it's likely he's | | | | and feeling safe are almost the exact same thing in |
| doing it out of fear. The same can be true if he sees | | | | the horse's mind. |
| unfamiliar objects. | | | | Next time you take your horse out and he naps it may |
| A secret tip about nappers is to closely observe | | | | take half the time for him to move. Then the next time |
| where they're napping. If you find they get nappy | | | | it may only take a few minutes. It's kind of like the old |
| around certain things then you might spot a pattern. | | | | rule of training. The more you work on it the lesser |
| For instance, every time your horse rides by a hay | | | | time it takes. |
| tarp and he stops then that is likely your culprit. But it | | | | What do you do while you're patiently waiting for your |
| could be lots of different things. It could be bushes. | | | | horse to move? If you're with friends then warn them |
| Trees. Dog pens. Etc. | | | | before hand this may happen. You may have to sit |
| When trying to solve napping from fear, you should | | | | there and have a conversation. If you're by yourself |
| take the approach when working with a spooking | | | | bring a crossword puzzle or even a book. Do what it |
| horse. A horse that spooks needs to be treated kindly. | | | | takes for you to pass the time and not get impatient. |
| He shouldn't be forced into stepping over his "fear | | | | Just remember to treat it like you would a horse that's |
| boundary". You have to talk to them, pet them, and be | | | | spooking. Most of the time, napping is a reaction to |
| patient. | | | | spooking. You simply have to be patient and wait it out. |
| It just so happens that this is one of the easiest and | | | | |