Horse won’t leave the yard

[Blimeyblighty]

Have had a chequered history with our poor pony. We bought her in Dec, she was initially fine, but by mid Jan was increasingly not fine, faffed around a bit with physios & saddle fits & horse whisperers before scoping & identifying grade 2 ulcers. Ulcers cleared up & new saddle now fitted. So we are trying to get back into work.

what is utterly confusing me is that she is very reluctant to leave the yard. Even when she had ulcers (that we didn’t know about) she would happily hack out, she was tricksy in the school & could be aggressive to handle on the ground but always fine to hack at that point. Now she’s been treated she is calm & easy to handle, will go in the school (walk trot with some pole work) fine initially but then just comes to a stop as the session goes on, and pretty much totally refuses to leave the yard for a hack. We can get her out generally with a companion (although not always) but not a chance on her own, when 3 months ago she went out on her own fine!

any thoughts on how to work through this?!

It sounds as if the pony is possibly associating leaving the yard with discomfort.

I'd make sure to give a high fibre feed or hay beforehand, if stomach acid is sloshing about when she gets stressed or on an empty stomach it won't help. If she's okay with a companion then use this to your advantage, but make sure to keep the session short, returning before she gets to the severe napping stage. It can help to simply wander to a patch of grass and let her graze for a bit.
Also long lining can be beneficial. Being able to wait it out so she isn't going back to the yard on her own volition helps.
It can be frustrating and time consuming, but I'm sure she will get there with patience and persistence.

Napping is a pain there are lots on on line guides to help
How to Stop a Horse Napping: 7 Steps to Success | KBIS https://share.google/dZkPXob48G4TZTHaD

Have you an instructor currently if not find one that is small enough to ride the pony and see if they can get her out . I’m not suggesting you are incapable but sometimes an experienced hand does help .

I've owned horses and ponies for 20 years now, and tbh any time a pony suddenly starts displaying unusual behaviour they are in pain. If she is fine in the school but unhappy about hacking out on roads then check her feet.

Also kids can have heavy hands - check the corners of her mouth and make sure her teeth are done by a really good equine dentist, not just someone who shoves a rasp in once a year.

Saddle fit - really reputable fitter? Saddle fitting is a minefield and we tried loads - ny criteria was if horse went lots better afterwards then stick to that fitter.

Mare - seasons?

Good.luck its frustrating I know.

Does she go up the lane ok inhand?

Not really!

yes we have an instructor, but have only had two lessons with her. To be fair she is improving, our first lesson she had to be tugged & persuaded into the school.

Her teeth were done by the vet in April (needs sedation so had it with her gastroscopy!). Saddle fitter is good. Feet up to date. Do need to get physio back now she’s finished ulcers.

today she went up the lane with a companion but wouldn’t part from them.