Strides for Success

Tag: napping

  • Is your Horse Ignoring You? Or Naturally Laid-Back? Find Out…

    Is your Horse Ignoring You? Or Naturally Laid-Back? Find Out…

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    There are a number of things that, when we speak about working with our horses, can feel almost impossible for some riders. This is especially true if your horse is very ‘laid-back’ or ‘lazy’.  Other riders are working on channeling energy, etc. and you feel like if you could just ignite a little enthusiasm in your horse, it would be a win!

    It’s always worth remembering that all horses are different. And some will be naturally less enthusiastic than others. However, this does not have to mean that you must give up your hopes and dreams of ever having a willing partner. But you may need to begin varying your approach or moving the goalposts a little when it comes to your expectations and desired outcomes.

    Deciding how to proceed forward with a horse who does not seem to have as much enthusiasm or interest will require you to answer this question first:- Is my horse naturally laid back or is he simply ignoring me and being unresponsive? 

    Today, I want to help you begin to decide which of these two is true for your horse – especially if it feels like both of you are going nowhere slowly!

    Laid-back and Unresponsive Are NOT the Same

    It is important to recognize that being laid back is not the same as being unresponsive. Yes, you absolutely do get laid-back horses who are also unresponsive.  However, they are different things and, therefore, should be worked on separately.  The key is to figure out which your horse is first and foremost…

    Laid-back is your horse’s natural way of being. He’s chilled, and relaxed, and doesn’t let much bother him in almost everything he does. Being unresponsive is a learned behaviour. They are very different! 

    And because lack of responsiveness is learned, it can be changed. It is not your horse’s ‘natural’ way of being. Rather a mechanism he has developed to cope or deal with something. Whereas being ‘laid back’ is more about your horse’s personality. This, in my opinion, should rather be worked ‘with’. It’s your responsibility to work with your horse’s strengths to help him in his training and riding.

    But more on that later. Let’s first look at ways you can distinguish between the two…

    Ways To Evaluate for Laid-Back Vs Unresponsive

    Your Horse’s Energy Needs

    Naturally Laid-Back: Your horse will remain calm, relaxed, and easygoing in almost all situations. Especially when asked for ‘more’ when working. He will usually always respond to you, but just a tad slower and less ‘keen’ than other horses.

    Lacking Responsiveness: If your horse lacks responsiveness, he will often feel ‘stuck in the mud’ and unmotivated. You’ll find yourself having to reapply aids over and over again to initiate any sort of response. This will be all through the ride or session. Remember, a tired horse can also seem ‘unresponsive’ 20 or 30 minutes into a training session.  This is not that.  The lack of enthusiasm will be consistent throughout.

    Test Your Aids and The Response

    Naturally Laid-Back: When you ask a question using an aid, say leg or seat, if your horse is naturally laid-back he will respond.  It’s just a slower response than you may want. You’re not being ignored. It’s more like it takes him a second or two to compute what you’re saying and then take action on it.

    Lacking Responsiveness: If your horse is ignoring you, he will continue to do so! Or it might take much stronger aids from you, think of more pressure or use of artificial aids, to achieve the results you want.  Again, this is usually a training issue. But it can also signal discomfort or a lack of enthusiasm for the job.

    Groundwork Versus Riding

    Naturally Laid-Back: Even when on the ground, your horse might be a little slower to ‘move’, but is usually responsive and cooperative. You can see that being ‘relaxed’ or ‘chilled’ is the general way of being, whether on the ground or being ridden.

    Lacking Responsiveness: If your horse is unresponsive, it will feel like you’re constantly ‘chasing’ or ‘dragging’ him around. He will look sluggish, uncooperative, and possibly even dragging his feet or hesitating with basic commands and aids.

    Summing it Up for You

    To sum it up, if your horse is naturally laid-back, he will respond – just often a little slower than others. He will keep his cool and remain relaxed most of the time. And he will look to please, albeit often at a slower pace!  If your horse is unresponsive, he will ignore you. Often your stronger application of the aids will be met with resistance and maybe even a tantrum!

    What’s important to keep in mind is that neither is ‘wrong’ or ‘right’.  They simply are. And as a rider, it’s important that you figure out which category your horse falls into and then work with him based on that. 

    I also want to mention here that, again, unresponsiveness is a learned behaviour. This can be down to a lack of training or understanding, pain and discomfort, or bad riding! The key is ‘learned’; meaning that it can be unlearned. It can be changed. And this will require correct training, consistency, time, and compassion.

    Look at the Advantages…

    However, maybe you’ve identified that your horse is more naturally ‘laid back’.  That no amount of training or retraining in the world is going to turn him into something he’s not… Remember, these types of horses are both great for a lot of reasons AND priceless in certain situations.

    When you have a horse who is a little more on the naturally laid-back side, but whom you can trust 100% to be as rock solid and ‘steady’ as they come, you can really focus on your own riding and making small changes to improve it.

    Focusing on you is always going to be a little more difficult when riding a horse that is a little over-enthusiastic. Often they will need your attention to help them maintain their balance and energy. So rather than accepting defeat when it comes to your horse, let’s look at reframing both of your mindsets on this topic.

    Partnerships Change…

    The final point I will add here is that things change all of the time.  And if you do figure out that your horse just does not want to be the “Number 1 World Beater” at whatever you want him to be… It’s your responsibility to accept that.  Similarly, if you’re horse is more naturally suited to a different discipline, you must accept that.

    Horse riding is a team sport… If your horse does not want to participate in some of the activities – you may need to find a new and willing partner who does. 

    This can sometimes mean that a heartbreaking decision has to be made. Or perhaps you’re in a situation where you can keep your initial ‘naturally laid back horse for activities he likes. And then find a second partner for those other, more ambitious activities.

    The important thing is to always consider your horse in the equation… It’s never fun being forced day after day to do something that you don’t like and that does not suit your specific set of talents.

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    Similar Episodes on This Topic:-

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  • Is Your Horse ‘Herd Sour’ or ‘Buddy Bound’?

    Is Your Horse ‘Herd Sour’ or ‘Buddy Bound’?

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    Horses are herd animals by nature. They will always choose to be with ‘their herd’ when they feel uncomfortable or worried about something. And this can become a big problem for riders. This is partially due to training and development requiring both horse and rider to ‘get out of their comfort zone’. Your horse’s past training or experiences can also play a big role in how he responds or feels about leaving his ‘herd’…

    And whether you need to build your horse’s confidence in himself and you, or focus on retraining him regarding his expectations and yours, it will require time, patience, and consistency to overcome.

    And a ‘herd’ does not have to mean a whole field full of horses frolicking and running wild in open pastures. It can mean this, but it doesn’t have to! Your horse’s ‘herd’ can be him, his horse friend, and the donkey they share the field with. It can be the one horse he lives ‘beside’ most of the time, in the neighbouring stable or paddock. Or, your horse’s ‘herd’ can also be the two goats he lives with full-time in the small paddock.

    Horses, being social creatures, will ‘bond’ with whoever they spend most of their time with. And once your horse has bonded, it can become quite the performance when you try to separate him from his ‘herd’…

    What’s Triggering the ‘Herd Sour’ & ‘Buddy Bound’ Feelings?

    The first thing to do is to recognize when this is predominately happening. Is it the moment you take him out of the paddock and he realizes his ‘buddy’ is not joining him? Or is it when other horses are ridden away from him and he’s left alone on the trail or the track? It could be when he is asked to leave the other horses, such as going into an arena on his own while others stay at the stables or in the practice area.

    The clearer you can get on defining when exactly your horse begins to act up or become anxious, the more direct you can be in your approach to helping your horse overcome this.

    One of the most important things you can do for both of you is to identify potential triggers. This way you can plan ahead so that you are doing all you can to remain safe. And your horse is as supported or corrected at the times he needs this most. I say supported or corrected because, sometimes, this can develop when a horse realizes that if he ‘performs’ a little, he will be allowed to return home, no questions asked.

    As a rider, it’s your responsibility to figure out if your horse is truly worried and anxious, or if he has just found an easy way to get back to his friends and not have to ‘work’…

    Past Experience and Training

    Most of the things your horse does, or doesn’t do, are learned. The thing with being herd sour or buddy bound is that it can both be learned – and something can also be naturally instinctual for your horse. Both will require your time and attention to remedy. But, before you begin, consider your horse’s history and experiences up to this point…

    Many horses that are bred for a specific purpose will have similar experiences, like thoroughbreds that raced for example. Most are bred at stud farms where they spend their earlier years with other horses around the same age. As they move into pre-training, the same will apply. They often get ridden out together, turned out together, put on the walker or exerciser together, etc. And then, if they make it to an actual trainer, this becomes even more true. Their ‘job’ requires them to ‘keep up with the herd’…

    In these situations, slow and specific planned retraining needs to happen to help your horse understand the new expectations – and feel confident about meeting them.

    It can be a bit of a culture shock if they find themselves starting their 2nd career as a ‘pleasure horse’ and are suddenly expected to see their rider as their confidant..! The rider is the one they should trust and want to be with all of the time, right? Well, that is how the rider sees it – but more often than not, their horse does not agree!
    This is also true for horses who have had little to no handling either recently or ever! They must learn how to build a partnership with a human where they feel confident and happy – even in more tricky situations.

    Developing the Bond or Partnership

    A good solid relationship requires trust – and trust can take time to build. Trust is knowing what to expect and having that happen, again and again. Get clear on your expectations first. How are you expecting your horse to behave or respond? Once you’re clear on your expectations, the next responsibility is effectively and clearly communicating them to your horse.

    Keep in mind, that your horse also has certain expectations of his own behaviour and his responses as well. This is even before we consider what he expects from you!

    I think that groundwork is really essential here in this part of the training for you and your horse. But not just random ambling around the yard and grooming. Specific exercises that focus on specific outcomes for both of you. Later, when there is a stronger bond, I am all for ‘ambling’ together. But if your horse has been showing signs of being herd sour or buddy-bound, this might not be the safest way to connect initially.

    Start with grounding and really getting clear on your own actions and intentions. From here, begin to notice how your horse responds to you and your different aids.

    Curiosity is essential in all good relationships, so get curious about your horse! What does he understand? What is he unsure of. Which aids does he seem to prefer or work better with? And how can you use what he already knows, either learned or instinctual, to better explain different or new things to him?

    Who Do You Trust?

    Thinking that you can spend an hour a week ‘working on this’ and then revert back to your usual self the rest of the time won’t work! In fact, this way of showing up is not just unrealistic, it’s madness! Think about people you trust and feel confident to both be with and follow if necessary. I can bet that they all have a few traits in common. Things like being reliable, consistent, even-tempered, and available. They ‘show up’ in a certain way, even when it seems and feels like everything has the potential to go completely sideways!

    Think about how you can begin showing up for your horse as a partner he can trust and rely on, even when the situation becomes uncomfortable or downright scary.

    Part of being reliable and consistent is that even when things don’t go to plan, you remain steady. You remain aligned with your original intention and then focus on getting there. Rather than being drawn into the drama that your horse is either experiencing or creating. Your job is to remain focused, steady, consistent, and ready to lead you both where you want to go.

    Another thing about ‘trust’ and reliability is that you know where to stand. Solid boundaries are a must for good relationships. And like expectations, you need to know yours before you begin working with your horse.

    Plan Your Work and Your Progress

    So, once you have decided on what you’re happy with, what is a no-no, and also have gotten clear on the potentially ‘greyish’ areas, you can begin working with your horse. All of this will depend on your horse; is he being genuinely anxious about leaving his herd or buddy? Or is he potentially trying to use this as a way to cut the ride short and get home ASAP?

    The plan you create to work on his herd sour or buddy-bound behaviour will depend on his true feelings about it… And your commitment to showing up consistently.

    I would definitely suggest only working on one thing at a time. So, if he is reluctant to leave his friend behind in the paddock while you go on the trail, but you can tell it’s more of a tantrum than anxiety, push on! And if you can’t or don’t feel confident enough to ‘push on’, ask someone to ride him who will do that.

    Very often in this scenario, two or three days of being sent forward and not getting his own way are enough to nip this in the bud and turn a new leaf. And it will require some serious commitment and reinforcement of your boundaries.

    On the other hand, if he is genuinely anxious and worried about being away from his friends, slow and steady work usually gets the best results.

    The key here is to focus on becoming someone he initially enjoys being with for short periods… And later feels confident being around for longer periods. In my experience, these types of horses, when they meet the right person who is all of the things mentioned above, become true partners. They really do give 100% of themselves in the relationship and are a pleasure to work with. But it does often take that initial commitment of time, and the intentional ‘showing up’ for them.

    Choose Your Riding Partners Carefully

    The final piece of advice I have for this situation is to choose your company wisely. Initially, whether your horse is throwing a tantrum or filled with anxiety, often the support of another horse and rider combination can help. Especially if they are the model of calm, cool, and confident.

    Horses learn from the horses around them, so choose wisely who you spend your riding time with.

    In my experience, especially with OTTBs who are herd bound, we spend a lot of time in the arena initially. We will pair the horse up with another 1 or 2 horses and let them walk together around the arena at first. Then, slowly, we will begin to put a little space between them. But always making sure to come back ‘together’ after 20 or 30 seconds. Then we stretch that time. And we work it both ways; the anxious horse is either held back from the others or vice versa.

    Over time – and sometimes this can be done in a single session, but usually a little longer – we are trotting and canter past the original horse with the others while he stays in a walk. Obviously the other horses and riders are carefully choosen to make this as much of a ‘non-event’ as possible.

    The key is to help your horse move away from the others without fussing. And once he is happy and relaxed riding ‘alone’ in the arena, we take it out to the trails or fields.

    Herd Bound to Rider Happy

    The important thing is to keep the end in mind and to keep yourself safe as you work through this with your horse. If you feel yourself becoming frustrated or angry, remind yourself that he has either been thought to do this or been allowed. And sometimes old habits, or ways of thinking, die hard!

    Don’t ask for too much too soon, hold your boundaries, be clear with your expectations, and remain calm, consistent, and steady in your approach. Be the leader your horse is asking you to be!

    Happy Riding
    Lorna

    More Help for Riders:-

    Equestrian Fitness Challenge ’24

    Work on improving your overall strength, fitness, and stamina as a rider. The all-new and free 2024 Equestrian Fitness Challenge is a great place for you to do this.  It is walking and yoga-based (no workouts), so it will ease you into becoming a better version of yourself in the saddle gently. You can sign up HERE or by visiting https://equestrianfitnesschallenge.com/24 
    There will be a daily walk, a 10 minute daily yoga practice, and lots of tips, ideas, exercises, and ways to improve so that you can show up as the best version of you – for you and your horse.
    Sign up today and let’s transform your riding – one stride at a time! 100% FREE 2024 Equestrian Fitness Challenge

    Connect with Lorna online:-

  • Taking a No Nonsense Approach to Napping

    Taking a No Nonsense Approach to Napping

    Taking a No Nonsense Approach to Napping

    What this episode is all about & how it can help you:-

    • Understand why napping can become a learned ‘go to’ behaviour for your horse
    • See how seemingly ‘little things’ can quickly escalate to ‘bigger things’
    • Use your horses short concentration span to your benefit here
    • Become clear on how to make your horse ‘want’ to do what you ask

    Napping… Whoever decided that this was a good word to describe what is literally the equine equivalent of a two-year old throwing a tantrum?  When we speak of napping outside of equestrian circles, we think of peaceful ‘cat naps’.  However, when we think of napping as it relates to horses; it is almost the opposite scenario that springs to mind!

    Simply put, napping is when your horse decides to be a little ‘otherwise’ with regards to going where you want him to go.

    It is frustrating, time-wasting and, in many situations, downright dangerous for both horse, rider any innocent bystanders who happen past the horse throwing the ‘hissy fit’!  This is definitely a behaviour that needs to be replaced when it comes to how your horse reacts to certain situations…

    [smart_track_player url=”https://op3.dev/e/traffic.libsyn.com/dailystridespodcast/1092-Taking-a-No-Nonsense-Approach-to-Napping.mp3″ title=”Taking a No Nonsense Approach to Napping” tweet_text=”That ‘stuck in the mud’ feeling… Napping is a pain; here’s how to get your horse unstuck and moving again…” hashtag=”horseriding #equestrian” twitter_username=”strides_success” ]

    In this episode of the Daily Strides Podcast we look at practical ways you can nip this in the bud with a less experienced ‘napper’.  We will also discuss what to do with a more seasoned pro.  

    Why Napping Can Become a ‘Habit’ for Horses

    Napping, especially when it becomes a  viable ‘way out’ of doing something for your horse, is really dangerous behaviour.  It can often leave you, the rider, with very little influence over the situation.  It can also lead to tempers on both sides becoming flared. 

    In order to effectively deal with napping, the rider must be committed to their outcome.  It is also essential that the rider keeps a level head at all times. 

    I have found that there are three big reasons that riders often end up drawing the short end of a stick when it comes to napping.

    • The rider has no confidence in their abilities to deal with the situation
    • Many riders struggle to remain level headed and lose their temper
    • And finally, some riders worry about what other bystanders and onlookers are thinking of their skills at handling the horse

    This is why it is absolutely essential that you are ready to take correct appropriate action if you find yourself faced with a ‘nappy’ horse.

    Be Clear on Your Outcome; Mentally & Physically

    One of the easiest ways to allow your horse to gain the ‘upper hand’ in a napping situation is to lose sight of your end goal.  It is vitally important that you keep thinking and moving forward.

    By thinking of what you want to make happen, you will physically act that way.  This will help you to ‘encourage’ your horse to rather align with your desired path!

    It is easy to allow yourself to be led by your horse in this situation.  Focusing your attention and efforts on what your horse ‘is’ doing, rather than what you ‘want’ your horse to do.

    Horses align with their riders.  It may take some a little longer than others.  However if you are committed, your horse will eventually come around to your way of thinking. 

    Learn to Nip the ‘Little Things’ in the Bud

    The clearer you are on your desired outcome, the clearer your application of your aids will be.  Often a horse who naps; a ‘nappy’ horse, is created by an inconsistent rider.

    Riders who allow the little things to regularly ‘slide’ literally train their horses to not really respect their aids and desired outcomes. 

    Consistency is not just a nice added extra when it comes to horses.  It is absolutely essential for you to build a relationship both in the saddle and on the ground.  Your relationship between you and your horse should be built on respect.

    If your horse sees that you are a little ‘relaxed’ when it comes to what is allowed and what is not, he will begin to push the boundaries.

    ‘Little’ things that are allowed slide tend to escalate and build momentum.  What started off as something small and insignificant can quickly snowball to big things; such as napping. 

    Use A Potentially Short Concentration Span to Your Favour

    Horses are a little like toddlers when it comes to where they focus their attention and energy.  It can seem intense at times, however it is also usually short-lived.  They are easily distracted by something different or new.

    If your horse begins to throw the proverbial tantrum, try distracting him by asking another question. 

    This can look like turning or changing rein.  Shallow loops work well.  Maybe you can transition or prepare for a transition.  Another way of distracting is to use your voice or weight aids in a different way.

    What is important is that you do not lose sight of what you want or where you want to go.  You are simply taking a slight detour in order to avoid what feels like an inevitable train smash on the track you are currently riding.

    You still get to where you want to go, but you are just getting there in a slightly different way.

    Remember to Reward Quickly & Frequently

    Horses like to please.  They like to be told that they have done well or ‘done good’.  Depending on your horses age or even temperament, sometimes those rewards need to be very frequent.

    Often simply ignoring the undesirable behaviour and then praising any step in the right direction can be enough to get you both ‘unstuck’.  

    Remember napping is a learned behaviour.  Your horse has learned at some point that if he doesn’t want to do something, he can throw a wobbler and usually get his own way.

    Your job is to make him want to do whatever it is you ask him to do.  Regular praise and rewards are the surest way to make this happen.  

    Maybe a Different Rider is Necessary to Get ‘Unstuck’

    Take heart in the fact that because napping is learned, it can just as easily be ‘unlearned. 

    As I mentioned at the top of the post, often napping occurs because the horse has learned that the rider is ineffective in riding them through or out of the situation.  If this is the case, sometimes the simplest way of dealing with the situation is to put another rider on board.

    A different, perhaps more experienced, rider will use a different approach in order to ride the horse through the napping episode.  This is often a combination of different mental and physical aids.

    You can also use a person on the ground to help you, if necessary.  Obviously safety is paramount.  However, sometimes a gentle ‘encouragement’ from someone behind the horse is enough to either distract them, or simply get them moving forwards again.

    Positive Communication is Essential at All Times

    Finally I want to stress that however you decide to deal with a napping horse, it is essential to remain positive.  You want the outcome to be your horse moving forwards in a happy and relaxed as possible way.

    In the saddle, it is important to give the horse ‘somewhere to go’.  Often opening your hands wider than usual will do the trick here.  

    Think of your hands as being like a big neck of a funnel.  Then your other aids, legs and voice being the main ones, encouraging the horse into the funnel.

    When you are dealing with napping, remember to always approach the situation with a positive approach and a level head.  Remember, the key is to make your horse ‘WANT’ to go wherever it is you are asking him to go.

    Happy Riding

    Lorna

    Other posts, episodes and resources that relate to this topic:-

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    Couple this with the weekly live Q&As, the monthly review and planning live calls and the members only private group ~ we are here to help you remain accountable as team leader for you and your horse.

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