Building up confidence to hacking alone.

[Loubiepoo]

My new horse has never really hacked alone, but its something thats really important to me as I won't always have someone to ride with. He's 5 so still young and a bit nervous/spooky of the unknown.

I've had him a week now and have hacked him out twice in company, which he was pretty much fine with no real spooks, (low level traffic doesn't seem to really bother him, more like dogs, pushchairs etc).

Then on thursday I hacked him out alone just a very short distance (10mins) but with someone walking next to us and he was ok, just a bird flew out and spooked him once. So yesterday I thought I'd be brave and try and see how he would be totally on his own. Started off ok, but then a dog flew at a gate and started barking, totally making him jump and start cantering down the road

, he quickly came back to me though, but from that point onwards he was very very tense and had to walk at 100 mph in a rush to get home.

So I need some tips about how to build up his confidence for hacking alone. Should i go right back to the beginning and lead him out or just continue to hack out in company for the time being (I just don't want him to get too used to that and think that he will only ever go out with another horse).

Advice please!

 

[katie_southwest]

Im in the same situation, my horse was used in a trekking centre so literally never out on her own! I do a bit of everything..go out with my friend sometimes and sometimes on my own. She still spooks at things and is a bit all over the place but I think as long as you alternate on your own and then give him a break and go out with someone else aswell he will get more confident

I was going to walk her out in hand but to be honest by the time I get to the top of the hill Im knackered haha

 

[cobden99]

My cob is also pretty spooky on his own - when I first moved him home (without my hacking friends

) I found a fairly short ride that went round in a loop. I led him round it first so he saw everything and had no excuse, then I started riding him round it so often he got bored with it. I then started venturing further afield, adding a bit on gradually. Sometimes I ask OH to come with me on his bike if I want to try somewhere new, and that seems to help a lot -probably for my moral support as much as the horse

Although the way he wobbles around under the horses nose, or suddenly stops dead to look at something so we pile in the back of him, I do wonder sometimes if it is such a good idea..
Good luck with yours, take it slow and persevere

 

[moneypit1]

I think your title says it all really, "building up confidence". The best way to do that is little and often. When I backed my last youngster I rode him out everyday alone, sometimes 10 mins and then longer and longer. Having said that he was a very laid back chap. Just keep at, keep talking to him all the time as I find that helps them so much. If you feel he is getting a little jumpy start asking him a few questions to keep him focused, ie, transitions etc. Good luck xx

 

[royal]

I agree, little and often...and I would alternate how he goes out, ie: one day in hand, then with company, then alone with someone walking next him, then completely alone....but start off with very short hacks and build up bit by bit...try not to over-phase him...also agree with money pit, try to keep his mind active by asking for things on the way...the key is that most horses would spook at a bird flying out or a dog rushing up and barking, and the fact that he came back to you easily after cantering off shows he has some trust in you, but it obviously disturbs him and then puts his nerves on edge...
good luck!

 

[suzyseymour]

I agree with short rides and building him up, if he is easy to get on you could try leading him out and riding him back. They are usually more interested in getting home than spookng when they are heading back and you are on the ground when he is on the way out.

 

[dawnpetenathshir]

I agree although it was a bit different with me as I had the wobbles and pony was fine. I think also if you set yourself little goals each time when you reach a goal it makes you feel so good about yourself. When I first started I had trouble going down the track from the yard on my own. But I soon got over it and I love hacking now good luck