Confidence while hacking alone

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Clofox

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Hi all,

I have had my loan pony for 7months now, i do a mixture of both schooling and hacking to keep us both interested :rolleyes .
I'm very fortunate to have a bridleway right outside the yard not even a road to cross! there is many routes a 20min short one and a 1hr 45min one. I never had the option to hack before having my loan pony so it was all pretty new,i go out once a week hacking with my friend and her horse on the longer hack and i'm fine confident and happy (because of the security of my friend and her horse being with me)we always see other riders and ponies are fine, my pony is sooo well behaved, when a lil' scary sqiurell pops out we have a lil spook but nothing bad or worth worrying about at all.

Now my point... when my friends not down there the thought of going out on my own seems scary so i end up going back in the arena and then i feel awful cause i know how much my pony loves hacking, and i just cant bring myself to go out on my own even on the 20mins one. I've heard from other people down the yard who have taken her out in the woods on there own she has been good, sometimes she has played up but on the whole she is very well behaved, and the thought of me taking her out on my own and bumping into another horse also terrifies me! even thou shes fine around them when out with my friend!

does anyone have any tips on helping my confidence?
any help appreciated thank you:D
 
Could you just do a short ride away and back and gradually, trip by trip, extend the distance?

I have had to do this the other way around, as I have plenty of confidence (too stupid to realise I should be scared), but H used to be spooky and lacked confidence.

In your case, your pony will help you along. Just go as far as you feel happy with, then another couple of hundred yards before turning back.
 
Can you rope someone into walking with you while you do the 20min hack? Then you can progress to doing the ride without them, but have them wait at the yard after seeing you off, to welcome you back again. Take your mobile and make sure that they have theirs too, so you can ring them if you need to.

ETA. I'm not a fan of turning on the spot and going back the way you came when hacking, as my mare is nappy and she would remember that we turned at that spot and we'd have a battle the next time we rode the route.
 
When I started to hack out alone I only went the routes we were both familiar with, I would start off and if all was well we would continue. I think you have to see how you feel as you go along. My husband came with me the first few times with the dog and also my son on his bike. I have two and to be honest it was the horse left home alone that freaked out. The thing is you have to give yourself a little push and be slightly out of your comfort zone to benefit from that good feeling of achievment. Oh and singing helps tremendously. Also you can do a view schooling moves whilst out to keep both of you occupied. As long as you know you have a dependable horse its then only your inner gremlins holding you back. Good luck
 
I agree with the one step further at a time idea.I've only ever hacked out in company once(That was enough) but I don't call it hacking "alone".There's me...and Malaga and thats all the company I need :D
 
Just to add, that H and I really enjoy hacking out alone now, and will happily ride for hours on our own.

Just as Jinglejoys said, it's me and Harry out and about.

Oh and when you get a decent walk going, "Ragtime Cowboy Joe" is a great riding song :D
 
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I have concerns riding my youngster out, he is reliably unreliable but improving. I don't hack out often on my own but when I do it is a route we both know well, I always let someone know where I am going (that someone has to be able to get to me so must be a driver) plus I take my mobile. It might be over the top but the back up gives me the confidence I need. Good luck!
 
Thanks for comments,
I'm defentaily gunna try the shorter one on my own first and will drag my dad along:D
i will do the 20mins as if my mare thinks im making the hack any longer than what it needs to be (when really im shortening it!) she will have her own ideas.. and will have the words "I WANT MY FOOD" written all over her!

Dont get me wrong, i love going out with my friend and her pony, but want to have the confidence to do it on my own if shes not there, Im going to face my inner gremlins and bit ethe bullet... even if i only bite half;) :D
 
Fabulous replies above, love the singing one. always remember that you can choose to dismount and lead if you feel that you want to! You do not have to be on board if you choose to walk and lead thats absolutely fine as well. Often the realisation that you dont have to be on top if you dont want to be allows you to remain - on top!! Enjoy x
 
What about having a conversation with your horse? Amazing to see their ears going as they listen to you...

Agree with singing, it also ensures that you breath. Laughing and yawning also have the same effect - though you may get some funny looks

Rescue Remedy is also a good thing.

Remember how great you feel when you come back from your hack, the sense of achievement, all the lovely things you saw and the experience of just being with your horse, all these things will soon become reasons why you want to hack without others. There's also the advantage of going where you want, when you want and not spending wasted hours waiting for people who are invariably always late :-)
 
I've always loved hacking on my own until I got my current horse. I didn't know the area so didn't know any hacking routes and he is very green and spooky I think I built it up so much in my head that when I went out I felt really nervous which affected him and I did feel like I'd lost my confidence.
Everyone on here is suggesting some great things (always chat or sing to my boy to calm us both!) and we started with short hacks before exploring further.

However I'd also like to suggest some tough love! This worked for me haha I gave myself a proper kick in the butt and told myself 'Stop being such a big wuss, you dream about amazing hacks its what you want to do so bloody well GET ON AND DO IT!' haha once I forced myself to get out and go then I realized that actually I'm having a really good time! And its a great feeling when you get back home :)
 
Yes i agree, i think i do need lets say a kick up the backside to be honest! i have a lovley bridleway next door to me but to scared to use it on my own, im going out on my own on 3rd of December as going out later in day and will be riding before my friend so will let you know how i get on:D

Like you i always dream of hacking on my own so i tihnk its time to push the boat out!
 
You need to bite the bullet and go for it! :D Take someone with you walking at first and eventually you'll feel you don't want them there because you feel you need to stop and wait all the time if you decide to have a trot.

Once you've been a few times all by yourself you'll love it and find your pony gets a proper work out when you're on your own, opposed to riding with others because you chat and dawdle. Also you'll want to go further and explore new places because you'll enjoy the company of just your pony and it'll give you chance to talk and really bond with your pony.

In the whole run the pros really do out weigh the cons :D
 
I'm another advocate of the ride and walk.. Tell someone where you're going and how long you think you'll be, attach a leadrope to the d-rings, ride a bit, walk a bit. If you don't want to get off, stay on, if you want to get off, do. If you've got nice comfy boots then walk a bit with your pony, then jog/trot with him -- keeps you both fit. Have a chat with him and generally chill out.

Enjoy -- soon there'll be no looking back :D

Edited - just realised he's actually a she -- sorry! :o
 
Thanks guys:D
1st hack alone is planned for next sat... 3rd of December! cant believe its nearly December :o will let you all known how i get on, i'm gunna drag my dad along and if i want to trot he will have to run;)
I will take a lead rope with me just in case, but hoping to last the whole way round but we will see ay'!
 
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