Can a horse be taught to hack alone

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rafty

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Just wondering if a horse that is scared of hackng out alone can overcome this? A friend of mine tried a lovely 6 year old recently, hacks out in company but snorted like a dragon just going out the drive way of its yard and went backwards, sideways and shooting forwards at nothing. She is thinking of buying it, but her main aim is hacking. I think some horses and just not good at hacking alone and this will never really change, what does everyone think? ps she is not the most confident rider!
 
I think *most* horses can overcome it with a strong sensible rider and they have to be prepared to put a lot of time and effort in as it can be a long process.
Im not the most confident rider, and sometimes my mare takes the mick, she is not really afraid but with me not being 100% we can get into a pickle :)
If shes not 100% I wouldnt suggest taking on a horse who dislikes it that much on his own...
 
Watching this thread with interest my boy is real scaredy cat, he is 10 this year I have had his from a yearling, I moved yards two years a go this improved him, I can now get his to lead for a while on a ride, but he is very stressed about it. I can now also get him out a very short distance on his own, there and back takes about 20 mins. He really is scared and can spin on a sixpence with no warning at all, so although I would like him to hack out on his own I'm not sure we will ever get there and it be enjoyable and safe.
 
I agree with K_S. Yes, a horse can be taught to hack out alone but it will need a confident, assertive rider, especailly if the horse is napping and messing and looking for strong leadership. If you friend wants to be a happy hacker I would suggest that she get a sensible horse who isn't such a messer and who has experience of going out alone. If she really wants this horse she has to be prepared to put work in on him and herself, otherwise she may be wasting time and money. One of my friends loves hacking but bought a horse like the above and he ended up ruining her confidence, she has a wonderful horse now but wasted a lot time with the other one.
 
Iv always been on my own with my youngster, up until recently when I moved to a livery yard. As a result of this the majority of his road work has been alone, now he's better behaved on his own than in company! When in company he jogs and bites bottoms! When alone he listens to me nicely :)
 
I do hope so!

Not to hi-jack your post but I am in the same boat! At the moment H will not go out on his own. I have started to do little walks around the yard and had hoped to go out over the Easter hols with a friend (walking alongside), but the weather was so pants!

I usually go out with a friend on her lovely, calm and experienced horse and we get on fine. Recently H decided to lead the whole ride for the first time - which I see as a very positive step. I have once come back and left them half way round, which was also fine. I think we have to continue to work up to it slowly.

It might be that we never go out on our own - I do hope so and I think your friend would be foolish to take on a horse that won't do so, if that is what she wants to do. I have had him 18 months at this point.
 
Absolutely, my 17hh ISH was 18 when I got him and apparently always crap at hacking on his own, scared me when I took him, I got my experienced YO to take him hacking for me, he is now a buckle end hack :)

Have faith and find a good trainer to help.
 
I got my Tank to a point where he would hack alone - and he is the most herd-bound horse you could ever imagine (he lived feral until 2).

I didn't ride for a couple of years and he lost his nerve going on his own.

To be honest I wasn't fair and I rushed him.

He napped at the end of the road, I was so annoyed I bullied him all around the village. He spooked and snorted the whole way - but he kept going :p.

Time and patience would have been safer and kinder - I live and learn :p
 
I taught my cob to hack alone, but it took 2 years before we were confident to go WTC. I would never buy a horse who did not hack alone if that is what I wanted it to do. It's potentially dangerous to you, your horse and others. Even if you think you are brave enough, several spins can shake anyone's conidence. If you have to, then small steps is key. Start with a little in front of a friend coming back, work up to in front, then tiny hacks on own ie 15 mins, working up. Don't turn to come back the same way, teaches them to spin and run for home. Loads of confidence, praise and patience needed.
 
Yup! It can be done!
I never ever EVER thought Ned would hack out alone, but we've managed a walk, trot and even a few steps of canter around the lane :O
Well, I lie, he's been out with my mother, who he adores and will follow anywhere, but he will walk infront of her and I can get him to wait and then trot to her if she walks ahead.
Not long ago, he would have reared (very big!!) if I had asked him to even walk onto the drive directly infront of another horse.
Now look at him! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyQ5Hqya-w4
 
When I first got my horse, he was so bad to hack that I gave up and stayed on the school for six months. It was only when his napping extended to the school that I HAD to do something about it.
After 18 months very hard work, and the help of a professional nearly on a daily basis, we got him behaving. Now, he's the best behaved horse on the yard :)

Having said that, if your friend wants a happy hacker, I would get something that is going to hack. It's not easy changing habits and can wreck your confidence. Good luck
 
I started doing TREC with my boy just over a year ago and found it has built his confidence massively. He went from wanting to follow and still being edgy to leading, ridden on a long rein, to hacking out alone, pretty confidently in about 6 months, and this year we'll be attempting level 2 individual competitions. This is something I never would have dreamt of doing this time last year.

If she has someone she can hack out with and lead the way initially, it could help overcome his nervousness, however, if she's not confident she might want to get someone to help her as nervous horse and rider hacking alone is not a good combination. Once he's confident leading the way, having someone on foot can give them confidence too. I started bringing my lad out on his own when my parents were walking the dog so he had company, then I rode the loop in the opposite direction, so we would meet up after about 20 minutes or half an hour. The main thing is to take it nice and easy, build it up gradually.
 
I think so. I have always loved hacking and all my horses go out on their own, but it requires work.

My 18yr old was out of work with a serious injury for nearly a year, and I am just getting him used to hacking out alone again. I also have a 4 yr old who I take all over the place on her own.

My strategy is to hack in company (or with someone walking with us) the same route lots of times - a shortish route, then start to do this route on their own, and build up from there. I stick to lanes / quiet roads to start with as they always seem to be more sensible on roads, and gradually add more open spaces.

It is essential to be very confident, otherwise they pick up on this straight away. I think u also need to be able to read your horse really well to know how to react to them. For example, my 4 yr old used to just plant her feet when I first got her, so I had to learn how to get her moving again, and now know to let her just stop when she is worried, have a look at things and a little squeeze gets her going again. My 18yr old tb can get himself in a tizz and prance on the spot / jog etc so with him I know how to get him going forward, when to ignore him prancing and when ignoring him could result in him having a buck!

You also need to be very relaxed and calm, and confident enough to give clear directions to cars if you need them to stop / go past etc.
 
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