ANY HELP APPRECIATED, LOSING CONFIDENCE!!!

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ELFSBELLS

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Hi all, will try to keep this short, am quickly losing all coinfidence with my boy out hacking, admit it has been about 6 weeks since he went out until today, the last time resulted in me half falling, half jumping off and leading him home, were on the way home at the time, he seems to get himself so worked up, a friend took him ou today and he was a nightmare again for her, he will back up, leap up and down on the spot, and reverse in circles at speed, it almost feels like he's bronking on the spot but not so much bucking if that makes sense, almost like being on a wave with his head tucked into his chest, today he nearly reversed into a car, I am slowly losing the will to carry on, he is ridden in a myler combination, all checks are fine, he is a big woose, always spooky, any help appreciated.
 
Do you have anyone who could hack out with you on an experienced horse? Sounds as though he needs to get his confidence. I would also lunge or school him for a good session before taking out. Maybe also try a calmer, Global Herbs are good.
 
If your horse is going to get better out hacking it needs to be tackled in a way that is constructive, leaving 6 weeks from a bad experience will not help they will not improve without regular exposure.

Is he good in a school or field listening to you and working correctly. You probably need to build up your confidence and his by doing as much varied work as you can, do some work then just go for a stroll down the drive or round a field after gradually going further, hacking as such I would only do once he is listening more, find a safe companion to go out with for a very short ride at first.

This really needs doing almost daily to become established, like any training they need to do little and often to improve. Possibly get someone else to come regularly to take him out if you feel you lack confidence to overcome your nerves, he will know if you do not trust him and will then lack confidence himself.
 
Thankyou, yes I realise he needs to get out more, which hopefully will now be working on, he does listen in the skool, can sometimes be opinionated, but overall is good, think I will give a calmer a try as well.
 
Has he had all 6 weeks off? Or have you been schooling? If it is just he is fresh try lunging before riding?!

Is he just napping like this on his own? Are there other horses he could take a lead from maybe?
 
Becki, no he has'nt had 6 weeks off, he is skooled regularly, it's just the hacking that has gone to pot, he naps even in company, solo hacking is not good, so tend to go with somebody else.
 
My old horse is exactly like this! I wish I had an answer! I did find him worst when he was out of routine & not going out often enough... usually in winter due to dark nights!!!

Natural horsemanship to build his trust in me did help a little but never 100%. Calmers made him better but again not 100%.

He isn't a warmblood is he?!
 
Where are you based? I'd advise getting some professional help getting him going if you're losing confidence.
 
Becki, no he's a tb/ I'd, have had him 4 years now and have persevered with him even though the hacking can be a problem, I do think he is worse in winter, he lives out during summer which seems to help.
 
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