Bad experience out hacking :'(

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RIDMagic

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Had a scary experience today. My 4 year old mare is very quiet and laid back for her age. We hack out every weekend on our own, not far as she can be a bit nappy but we're getting further every time. Yesterday we got onto the bridlepath which cuts through a field, so today we did the same route. It's the first time I've ever been on grass with her, I've only had her 4 months. So we got onto the bridlepath, she was a bit nervous as it's the furthest she's ever been from the yard. We turned round and she started trotting, which turned into a canter which turned into a gallop. It was terrifying. I was clinging on for dear life, all logic went out the window, I lost my stirrups and knew I was going to fall off. I was contemplating throwing myself off but she was getting faster and faster and at one point I thought she might try and jump the hedge. I was just thinking "this is going to hurt" and "i hope I don't die" lol. Anyway I kind of fell off/chucked myself off and my head got a bash on the floor but I'm not hurt. Thank goodness for riding hats. Got back on and set off home. To top it off, a motorbike came past, which she hates, and she started freaking out again. I tried to get her out the road onto the grass verge but then she set off with me again. I know it wasn't the right thing to do but I was still shaken up from what had happened so I just jumped off again and she trotted home. Luckily we weren't far from home by then so she knew where she was going! And it's just one long straight road back to the yard with little to no traffic.
Anyway we are both ok and it could have been a lot worse, but I feel shaken up and already feel unsure about hacking on our own again. She didn't bolt off with me in the field, it's not like she suddenly galloped off in a blind panic, she just got faster and faster and I had no control. I know I should have shortened my reins and pulled hard on one rein to turn her and slow her down, but for some reason I couldn't think straight. I was too busy worrying about falling off and thinking I was going to break my neck! I can't hack in company as there's no-one to go with, but I can ask a few people to walk out with us for a while. I can also work on the motorbike thing. But how can I be confident riding on grass? How can I stop her galloping off with me again? I feel a bit silly sat here crying about it but it was really scary. Any advice welcome. Thanks
 
I think firstly what you describe sounds like relative inexperience on your part, combined with a typical green horse reaction. I suspect your behaviour partly contributed to the problem (an observation not a critiscism).

For now you need to regain your own confidence and to repair maybe a little bit of the bond/trust between you and your horse.

Short term hack out in steady company, until you are both feeling confident.

Then when you decide to go alone again set yourself up to succeed. Hacking out in one direction, then turning around to go home is not the way to do it if you don't have the skills to handle the consequences (even established horses can be twits in that type of scenario). Definitely do circular routes, especially if alone
 
I've no advice to offer you as you have just lived through one of my biggest fears about lone hacking and I expect that you handled it a million times better than I would have!

My mare has done the faster and faster thing to me (In company) before now and I have frozen and been totally reliant on the other riders having control over their horses. I used to grab the front of the saddle and literally just sit like a stone, no contact on the reins at all. I am better than that now I guess I just kept telling myself "do something!!" but imo, a lot easier riding in company than on my own. I've only been riding for about 18 months though, so hardly the voice of experience :)


I think many of us mentally "freeze" as you have described when things get scary and it's not clear what we should do, it's part of our own survival mechanism, same as running is to the horse, Also, I've heard it said that hitting your head can make you emotional.

I'm really glad you're ok and I am sure you'll find a way through it
 
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Can you do a round route?
Many a horse will speed up on being turned for home.
Now it has happened once, you will/can be prepared for it to happen again.
If you feel confident enough to manage her yourself, then I'd say take that route but keep going, don't turn back. If you think your nerves are shredded, maybe ask somebody more experienced of green horses to hack her for you.
 
Thanks for the replies :-) Skint1, it's nice to know I'm not the only one who has this fear... Although it hasn't really been something I've worried about until now as, maybe naively, I didn't think my mare would do that as she's normally such a chilled back horse, her only speeds are slow or slower! I wish I could go in company but there just isn't anyone to go with, and the only people I can ask to walk with us are not knowledgeable about horses (just friends and family).

My inexperience definitely contributed. For one thing I know I was gripping with my legs, and I know I should have tried to slow her with one rein not two. I'm sure it wouldnt have happened to a more experienced rider. We don't have any choice but to hack there and back, there are no circular routes. But on the roads she's fine. She doesn't try and jog home. We hack both ways on the buckle end. I'm just not sure how to handle the situation next time. Would it help to lunge her before hacking so she doesn't have as much energy? Or I could have someone lunge her in a field with me riding so I feel a bit safer. I don't know.
 
Make sure the horse has good steering and brakes and understands lateral leg aids. Teach her the one rein stop. Then if she disagrees with you about the speed you're going, make her circle, leg yield, turn around and go back the other way. Anything that tries to take off with me finds itself practicing lots of one rein stops. And occasionally ride what we used to call a "star," where, after getting back to the barn, head off in a different direction. Rinse and repeat. If you want to be really mean, go into the arena after a hack and do a little bit of schooling. They soon learn that going home isn't all that exciting.

And try to be zen-like about new things. If you're thinking, "OMG, grass!!!" the horse will be wondering what she ought to be getting wound up about.
 
I think you need to spend some time in an enclosed space practising stopping. So many people are fine riding about and indeed cantering until the day a horse goes faster than they want and suddenly they have no idea how to stop.

When you want a horse to slow down you must engage the hind quarters as that is where their brakes are. Therefore you need to sit down in your saddle, keep your hands low and stay strong in your seat. Tipping forward will only put the horse on its forehand making it harder for the horse to stop. Letting hands come up high into the air changes the pull on the reins, makes the horse hollow and stops it from engaging behind. I know that sounds very complicated but in fact it is a fairly straightforward science.

Once you understand that a horse needs its quarters to stop you can work on this in enclosed spaces, by doing lots of transitions, walk to halt, trot to walk and canter to trot every time using your seat to stop and your voice. Many horses also respond well to a gentle pull on the neck strap as you are asking to steady.

When you can stop confidently at any time from any pace you can then feel confident that if your mare ever does again get worried, you can stop when you want to. Good luck.
 
Ah, you had the 'Oh, Jez, if you don't stop you're going to the canning factory' moment. Welcome to the club.:eek:

There's a secret that mares pass on to their foals, every horse knows it. Lions live in hedges around green fields. Generally roads are much less threatening.

Your young mare lost her confidence and that was the moment she needed to you to take control in order to reassure her. It's easier said than done but it won't have caused any lasting damage because now you can ensure you don't overface her again until you're both equipped to deal with, what was a normal reaction.

If you had that run on video, you'd be able to see the moment she lost it and how you reacted, and why she continued to panic.
The suggestions already given are great, so along with Coal Ila suggestions, how about a neck strap to give you more security and don't think that making your hacks shorter and less exciting is a step backwards. The more you ride, the better she'll be and the most important thing is that both of you return on a positive note. Sometimes a horses education seems to stand still for a while until one day, it feels right to push things a bit and you find you've progressed more than you realised was possible.
 
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Her steering and brakes could do with some refining, as a youngster they are not yet as good as they could be. I wont try and ride her out on grass again until I am more confident in my ability to stop and steer her. She doesn't yet understand lateral aids, as far as she's concerned one leg means forward not sideways. Another thing we can work on. For now we will stick to the roads and I'll ask our neighbour to come by with his motorbike and do some desensitising.

Dogatemysalad, love your reply lol. Thanks for that. I don't think she reached major panic point, although I think nerves definitely contributed to her getting faster and faster (hers and mine).

I think half the problem is my state of mind as much as my riding ability. I seem to have a strong awareness of "what if"... As in what if I break my neck and am paralysed, what if I go head first over her neck and break my back... It's a very unhelpful attitude and it sounds ridiculous I know, but I genuinely think these things! She's actually a very safe horse despite her age and she is also talented enough to eventually do what I want her to do, I just need to get over this fear. I know what she's doing is very normal, I just need to handle it better. I will work on our brakes and steering in the school before I try to get her on grass again. Thanks everyone.
 
Firstly, sorry this has happened to you, I know exactly how terrifying it is!
Also you must replace your hat now and get checked out for concussion. When I've had concussion in the past and the first sign for me is feeling sad emotional, then the tiredness and dizziness comes later. I usually feel like this for a few days :(

Abut your mares agree that you will need to build trust. There's nothing wrong with getting off if its safer and you may feel like taking shorter hacks in company to start with. My chap used to gallop off so I taught him an emergency stop signal of tapping on the shoulder. Started at halt, tap shoulder means flex round and get a treat and build it up from there. Now he also gets a treat if he pulls up politely at the end of a canter or gallop. It's quite interesting as if he's been bad, bucking etc, he doesn't even ask for a treat when we pull up.
Lots of folk won't agree with the treating and its not for every horse but it has kept us much safer.

Hope you feel better soon.
 
Have you considered buying a body protector? It might help if you can reassure yourself that there's one section of your body that won't get hurt if you do fall. I always wear mine out hacking and it's saved me a lot of bruises and possible broken ribs so far this year. As to the rest you've already hD loads of great advice.
Oh, and well done for getting back on board. I think you're going to be fine once you get over your scare.
 
Aaaw thanks for that. I will defo replace my hat, and I'm starting to think about wearing a body protector too. If nothing else it might give me some confidence. Didn't you worry about the consequences when yours galloped off, or did you just get on with it and keep your wits about you? Am I the only one that loses my mind when that happens?! Interesting trick about the emergency stop. Might give that a try. Mine will do anything for food so it's worth a shot!
 
The last time I got tanked off with by a friends horse I was at the back of a group so I shouted very loudly Clear the Way I'm coming through :D as Asbo cob thundered past my friends splashing them with mud whilst I tried hard to find soft landing spot, decide how much pressure to apply to reins, avoid being dragged along hedgerow with brambles in and above all avoid a bucking fit, all at the same time. Whilst all this was going on I could hear my RI shouting in my head SIT UP! Amazing what goes through your mind in a short space of time :o
 
RIDMagic said:
Didn't you worry about the consequences when yours galloped off, or did you just get on with it and keep your wits about you? Am I the only one that loses my mind when that happens?!
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No, you're not. Anyone who says they have never felt like that, is either a liar or has a poor memory. With experience you'll be able to deal with these occasions by default, even though its a bit of an adrenaline rush.

It's a bit like learning to ride a bike, drive a car, ski, ice skate, whatever. At first you feel as though you're being run away with, a bit out of control and because the skills to stop haven't yet become an automatic response, your brain has to process how to deal with a fast moving event instead of just doing it.
 
I think you now know what to do as in sit up, shorten reins, relax not grip and steer round if she doesn't slow down. Easier said than done, but maybe you were frozen cos you had never expected to need the drill, but now more aware, if it does happen again you can put it into practise! I loaned a horse that did exactly that in the first few times I rode her.. it turns out I was gripping on for dear life, so faster and faster she got!! It wad terrifying! So lots of relaxing and circles later and I developed a modicum of control. The only other thing you may want to consider is a stronger bit? Personally I would avoid at all costs if poss, but if she has a bit plastic thing when maybe a metal kind bit may help you, might be worth considering?
 
I remember my mum yelling' sit back' at me as I vanished over hills as a child, and it still works now! The more you lean back the slower they go. You tend to lean forward when nervous which means 'go'.
 
Yes she is my first horse.

Thanks dogatemysalad, that's very reassuring. I guess I just need to learn from this but put I behind me and move on. Hopefully it won't happen again, at least not to that extent, as next time I'll be able to deal with it in a more effective way.

Linperrie thanks for your message, I'm sorry you went through it as well but it's good to know you learned some techniques to deal with it. Gives me some hope! I'm sure I was gripping on for dear life too. Maybe if it was a bigger field I would have been more relaxed, but the hedge was looming and the field was very undulating and full of rocks and holes. Maybe if I was, say, on the beach or in a massive field, I would have dealt with it better. Then again, maybe not because having miles of open land might have made her even more difficult to pull up! Anyway it's been a bit of a wake up call that riding can be dangerous and you have to be prepared for such things.
 
And about the bit, she's currently in a loose ring snaffle but thinking about changing to a full cheek, might help with steering if it happens again.

Lol Clodagh, that's a funny image :-D Will remember to LEAN BACK in future!
 
I personally wouldn't use a stronger bit in order to help with steering/brakes. Maybe you should go back to basics (especially considering you have a young horse as your first horse) and have some lessons on her. Get your steering/brakes/lateral work down before you attempt riding out by yourself again.

Riding out alone is a big ask for a youngster and they tend to take confidence from their riders, which if you aren't confident leads to problems like you just had.
 
Yes I want to keep her in a snaffle but was just thinking about a snaffle with cheeks to stop it coming all the way through her mouth if I need to firmly turn her round if she's tanking off with me.

Riding out alone is a big ask and after 4 months I still havent asked her to go more than half a mile from the yard, as I'm trying to give her lots of positive experiences to build her confidence. The previous owners hacked her out for miles on her own so she can do it, but I don't use a whip so I think she finds it easier to try and take advantage of my good nature sometimes!
 
I also have a four year old OP. I would say definitely wear a BP - I have stopped wearing mine but never hack without having my Joy Riderz jacket on, I think it's a good halfway house and has protection for lower back and elbows too. One bit I did read in one of your posts was that your mare hacks out on the buckle - whilst that is nice and good to be able to do, you really need her working, engaged and between your leg and hands. Being on a loose rein means that when they speed up they've already got away from you (I learnt this today when Tinner shot up a road in canter and I was scrabbling for rein contact!) - a little jog or spook whilst you are in full control is easily controlled. I'll add to sit back too - remember to look up, and that's right up, horizon, tops of trees, whatever - lifting your head elongates your spine and helps your body strength. Good luck with her OP.
 
Lots of good advice here, and well done for getting back on. The way forward is lots of small hacks, and lots of in-hand work it builds up a good relationship so you will be able know what she is thinking and correct in time. Good Luck xx
 
Thanks Spot the Risk. To be honest I have been thinking lately that I should be using our hacks as more of a schooling opportunity than just a potter down the lane. I couldnt honestly say that she is off my leg when hacking, particularly on the way out. She plods along at a slow pace and even getting a trot takes more effort than it should. I have lessons every week so will speak to my instructor about ways to get her marching forwards better. The problem is I don't ride with a whip, and don't want to, but also don't want to get into the habit of nagging with legs. I've heard Kelly marks talk about a giddy up rope to encourage forward movement - maybe that's something I could try. Thanks again for your message.
 
Thanks for your kind words Chestnut Horse. Definitely agree that in hand work is good. I try and do some in hand work at least once a week. Some people have told me I should have given her a belt with the whip but that horrifies me! There's always got to be a better way than aggression.
 
You're right - there is always a better way to deal with things rather than being aggressive.
BUT, do ensure that you're not "scared" of using a whip for what it was designed for. By that, I don't mean give her a jolly large smack, I mean that when you're riding, it's an extension of your aids. If she doesn't respond to your leg, a small smack won't harm her at all.

Likewise on the ground, using a whip can be necessary as an extension of your hand. You don't ever hit the horse with the whip, but it's a very useful tool.
 
Interesting you mention a 'giddy up rope' I think that is what I use on a young horse, just a lead rope attached to front ring of saddle, I then use this in front of the saddle left to right to encourage a green horse to go forwards when it decides to Plant. Normally works well as they can see it in side vision and feel it lightly in front of the saddle...... but not immense force and normally gets them going forward.
You will get there just focus on the positive and use the negative as a learning progress.
 
Sorry you've had such a horrible experience but you are riding a 4 year old and even the sweetest will throw things at you that you don't expect. In your post you say she is a bit nappy. The fact that she is so behind the leg on her way out from home but speeds up when turning for home is all part of the nappiness and it can take a confident rider to ride them through this and you certainly don't want this to continue as she gets older and stronger. Have you thought about paying for a more experienced rider to bring her on a bit for you? Lots of people do this and it can really be money well spent. Young horses IMO need an experienced and confident person to educate them properly and there's no shame in getting the right help. Much better to do that than put yourself in danger and risk spoiling an otherwise, nice horse. Incidently, i always carry a schooling whip when I hack, I also always use a slightly stronger bit and a properly fitted martingale. 99.9% of the time I don't need them but for the odd occasion that we meet a hidden tiger or something unexpected happens, they are there to help me.Please don't think that I'm having a go at you, I'm not, but if you are fairly novicey yourself, you will almost certainly benefit from help from a more experienced rider and do try to find someone to hack out with until your horse is a bit more confident. Good luck.
 
4 year old don't usually make good first horses, as FlyingCircus said, they take confidence from the rider & it's very easy to ruin a nice young horse.

Do you have an instructor? I think that you will need some help with her to nip any potential problem in the bud. You would both benefit from hacking out with a steady older horse & if i were you, i'd be getting an experienced person to quietly hack her out on her own for a couple of months.

As you so rightly say, riding is VERY dangerous & it's important for you & your youngster that she is helped through her formative years so that she becomes well rounded & safe.

Good luck.
 
OP, I always carry a whip, the professional who backed Tinner told me to and told me how to use it. He was taught to go forward when clicked to, hence 'click click click' from me when he backs off something, and he gets a slap on the shoulder from the whip - my hands don't leave the reins, but it's enough to bring his concentration back to me instead of focussing on something else. Today I practiced waving my whip around a lot! It went up, out, behind, and then slowly down the side of his head, past his eye and below his muzzle, both sides, touched his ears, tapped the top of his head etc - all because one day soon he needs to learn how to help me to open gates and I carry a hunting whip (no lash) for this. It's all education!
 
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