The Truth About 'Napping' (And Why Forcing Forward Often Makes It Worse)

In this episode, I explore one of the most outdated and misunderstood terms in the horse world: "napping."Is your horse really being stubborn, lazy or trying to "get out of work", or are they communicating something much deeper?Discover why labelling horses as "nappy" can prevent us from addressing the real cause of the behaviour, and learn a more compassionate, evidence-based approach to helping horses who stop, hesitate or don't want to move forward.In this episode you'll learn:• Why the term "napping" may be doing more harm than good.• What your horse could actually be communicating.• The difference between leadership and force.• Why "don't let them win" is an outdated mindset.• Practical ways to build confidence instead of conflict.• How curiosity can transform your partnership with your horse.Whether you're struggling with hacking, arena confidence, leaving the yard or a horse that regularly plants their feet, this episode will help you see the behaviour through a completely different lens.Ready to create a calmer, more confident partnership with your horse?I'm opening a limited number of 1:1 coaching spaces this summer for riders who want to better understand their horse, build confidence and strengthen their partnership.Email [email protected] to find out more.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and share it with a fellow horse owner, it really helps the podcast reach more people!Keywords: horse napping, horse refuses to go forward, horse confidence, horse behaviour, equine behaviour, horse training, horsemanship, rider confidence, hacking confidence, groundwork, positive horse training, understanding horses, horse psychology, nervous horse, confidence coaching, Kimberly Dunn, Idyllwild Horsemanship.