First hack went to pot!!

Toffee44

Toffee44

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Samba doing really well recently so thought we would go for a quick hack on our own.

Anyway long reined her for half hour and then off we went. Was slightly spooky but was going nicely. Got to the end of the bridle path where we have to cross a road she just planted. Just sat there asking her to go forward to no avail. Gave up went to walk her accross the road and she went sideways and then lept over the kerb ?? Which I think is what was bothered her in the first place.

Got back on her (some how) and actually although a little spooky had a steady walk accross the field and back. Was very happy with her.

Got back on the farm, she lept back over same kerb but I was on board this time but she was calm if that makes sense? She didnt bog off etc. Got halfway down the farm track and these ponies came trotting over she had a look and I asked her forward. She threw a little buck so I told her to walk on and persuaded her forward. I think she bucked (small ones) a couple of times and then she just went up, I was ok until I felt her stumble and to be fair I totally bailed off. I honestly thought she was going over backwards. I then said nothing to her and led her back to the field, she seemed quite chilled. And got straight back on, she was fine walking and trotting when asked. My friend who saw it reckons she has a temper?? And I have to show her that im boss?? Also said put a staning martingale on her, it wont stop her rearing!

Just totally disheartened really as this has to be honest scared me. Instinct tells me to take her up the farm track with a friend and long rein her up and down until she gets over it? I dont want to give up on her as she has come so far. But I have lost my confidence now I think (had horse fall on my when I was young=my worst nightmare). I didnt even expect her to go up like that. Tempted to try a calmer but then I think this behaviour is going to be only around other horses. Back, teeth, tack done recently. Mum wants me to admit defeat and sell as I cannot afford to hurt myself now.

Or am I just being a pratt because I have had a bad week already and green horses do these things?
 
I think you need to take a deeeeeep breath, and then re-read your post as if someone else had written it.

Basically, you have a green horse. She spooked at a kerb, and then she had a paddy and reared. She DIDNT go over backwards but you kept yourself save by bailing off.

You got back to the yard safely, and nobody got hurt.

Now, I KNOW how much scarier it seems to be in the situation and I would have had a good cry! However, the situation actually wasnt that bad.

So, deep breaths, chin up! It definitely does NOT sound like you need to give up. I would walk her in hand back to the place, and walk past ALOT, ad nauseum.

Chin up lovely!
 
I'm not a expert by any means and can completely understand how scary it must of been for you. My gut instinct would be to say that she was worried and too many things happened at once and she got overloaded. I don't think I'd be sticking gadgets on her but go back a step with her ie long reining and also hacking out with someone on foot that you trust xx
 
To me, that sounds like a pretty successful first time outing!:D As Flamehead said, she's green & needs to get more confident from you. Try not to bail out unless absolutely necessary, try to keep calm, keep your breathing steady if you start to get nervous & ride forward with positivity. Talk to her, have a conversation, whatever is necessary to keep you both confident. These spooks can be unnerving to start with, so get a neckstrap on her for extra security & prevent you jabbing her in the mouth & onwards and upwards...I mean forwards:D
 
When I cried she came straight over.

Gonna long rein her tomorrow. I think I might have just expected too much from her as she has been mooching about the farm and the field on the farm with no problems.
 
Please don't give up / panic / freak out! By the sounds of things she is very green. I think the key words above are "FIRST HACK". I find horses draw the confidence most from their companions. I think you should try and do some hacking with the company of other horses - get both of your confidence up. Let her get to know a few routes then long rein her alone and when you both feel better then try your first hack alone together!!
I know rearing is scary but as crazy as it sounds I've learnt to be incredibly calm about with my lad and the important thing is to reassure him and get him thinking forward again!!
 
I might get shouted down here, but as someone who has bought on a green spooky pony, I think you did very well. You kept calm, took control and got back on.

H never reared, but he used to stop, spin, go backwards and occasionally bolt. I took all of these situations as signs that he needed reassurance and confidence from me, so I used to hop off when I thought it necessary and lead him up to and past the 'spooky thing' allowing him a chance to have a good look. Other horses / ponies in fields are a nightmare with a spooky / green horse. H took full flight at the sight of three foals once :mad: A calm head, steady voice and quiet seat were the only tools I had to combat his fears (even if I didn't feel calm quiet or confident at the time). We can now go pretty much anywhere in a group or on our own.

Don't lose heart, I think you're doing fine. It will take some time, but you'll get there, just keep up the positive reinforcement.
 
Oh and please no standing martingale - not unless there is another reason for having it for schooling etc?! It won't help with rearing and if she is panicking can in fact make her worse. I had a nasty fall because a horse slipped hacking and his standing martingale affected his balance. I ended up in hospital having chest x-rays and with a broken nose. Extreme example but I don't think it will help you!
 
Becki thank you thats what I said to my friend!

At no point did I feel out of control with her other than the rear but even then she didnt want to bolt. She was only ever welsh snorty spooky which doesnt bother me. Reflecting on it the kerb ws fine and I just calmly led her over. So I dont take that too badly.

I think Im just wound up about other stuff right now and this has added to the pile. When I got off her I doubted everything I knew and have learnt with horses and just burst into tears. Just need a bloomin slap. I know this is what green horses do, and I have to be honest been in this position before and dealt with it fine. With hindsight the stress I have right now I shouldnt have even got on her to do something new, so its my own doing. What I needed was someone to tell me to stop being silly and get back on the right track, so thank you. See you HHOers are good therapy some times.
 
please don't take it the wrong way...but do you think it might be an idea to get someone more experienced/ confident to ride your horse for a bit to get her through the worst of her greenness? i'm really sorry if i'm talking rubbish (i usually do :rolleyes:) but haven't read your earlier posts so don't know full situation- but if she is green/ young she will really feed off you a lot- if you are lacking confidence then she will be...
i would hack green horses out in company with a sensible 'nanny' horse until they were happy to lead the other horse on a hack. only then would i attempt a solo hack. would also avoid anything like a standing martingale on a young/ green horse- a running martingale should be enough :)
good luck :)
 
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