First time out totally alone with new girl

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Twinkley Lights

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Well I put on my brave pants and took my new girl out today on a hack round our village where we have hacked alone with a walker and in company. This was my first time out totally alone in around 8 years since I had my initial confidence issues (three cement mixers and bogged off) before my old lad retired 6 years ago. I have had my girl for two months now and she is a good safe hack and good allrounder Haffie.

It was mixed she was good and only yodelled a couple of times which is fine but she kept breaking into a jog and although I tried to sit deep and relaxed and say waaaalk I was probably sending a different signal thru the reins:(. It didn't help that I hacked on the snaffle ring of her Dutch gag that I use only for schooling so this may have contributed as she sensed the lighter action.

I know that the best way to crack this is to keep taking her out as I know that I'm a big part of the issue and she is just checking out a new area but feel the fear and do it anyway doesn't really work on horseback as they can sense when you are bricking it!!

I'm so annoyed with myself as I have a lovely safe girl and just need to get a grip and all the lessons in the world can't do that for me.

My plan is to hack her out totally alone at least once a week and go to local shows etc to cement the relationship and lessons twice a week so that the bond is even stronger and we both feel good. Any thoughts?
 
No advice - just to say I feel theb same way. I have had my new lad for 6 months, he will be 5 in August. I have only had about 10 weeks of riding due to having to have a saddle made to measure and ongoing adjustments. He hasn't done anything wrong, but I feel so tense I worry it will transfer to him. So far I have only managed hacking out in company and with a walker - perhaps I will man up and take a leaf out of your book.

I have done loads of in hand work and regularly walk him out in hand, especially whilst he has been without a saddle, I think this has helped me a bit because I know that he is familiar with the area.
 
Well done for having a go!

My first suggestion is to put 2 reins on your bit, then you can bring the curb rein into play if you need to.
As a step between having someone walk with you and being completely alone, could you arrange for someone to meet you on the way round the village, so that you know that if you are having a problem, you have a safety net.
 
Thanks both:)
MM I will try some in hand leading as well as ridden . Keep the faith it's early days for you and your horse is young. Good luck and best wishes.

Pearl thanks for the tip I will ask my instructor about adding another rein on Thursday as I have a couple of spare sets:)
 
I wish there was a like button! :D

Well done OP for donning your brave pants, I am sure it will get easier the more you do it.

Not knowledgeable enough to comment on the bit sorry :o
 
Thanks I tried singing too , poor pony:eek: The hairiest part was when she was jogging outside the school as the school run mums some of whom I recognised from lead rein classes were speeding past me:rolleyes:
 
But you did it :) fear or not. Well done. I recently took friend's boy out alone when he'd had 7 weeks rest and everyone was advising her to lunge him first and how dangerous it would be to ride him. So I decided to do something positive to help her and took him out alone. I'd never ridden alone before but decided that little horse trusts me so I must return the trust and take a chance. I was very anxious but I chatted and sang my way up the road accompanied by very loud shouts from horsey :p he was a little star and this single act helped me, my friend and mr horse.

Next time will be easier ...well done.
 
Well done for taking her out :)

It will get easier the more you do it and the more trust you build up in her. Keep cracking on and you'll soon feel more confident :)
 
Hahahaha at her yodel :)

Well done some times we have to take these big steps.

From some one who owns a mare that would spook at stop lines, total knickers in a twist at a gate that needed opening and meltdown at low down windows as well as "yodelling" a lot when out alone it is just about practice makes better and you will both start to feel better soon :)

Good luck you've done the hard part, doing it for the first time :)
 
Well done for having the courage to go that first time!!

I've just started letting my daughter go out on her new one alone -she's 17, horse will be 5 next month. Something we've found helps is planning the times you will be in certain places. For instance when mine went out yesterday she set off then figured she will be passing the school at around home time, so she altered her route & went the opposite way to avoid all the kids & traffic. The other day she ventured out at 7am & when usually the traffic is quite busy, she said she saw 2 cars!! I think the more you go the more relaxed you will both get too.

Good luck xx
 
Thanks so much to everyone including TrasaM, BP,Toffee and Tinap for taking the time to reply:) I feel abit better now and not such a wuss as it was quite a big event for both of us even though she knew the route.

Gosh TrasaM first time out after 7 weeks you must have nerves of steel:eek: I don't mind the yodelling as that is just normal horses please answer me stuff it's the 98% of time spent jogging that was the issue. She has a very fast walk in any case and it feels in the saddle like a normal horse who is about to start jogging so her jogging was really speedy.

Until we are more established I will have to plan my timings for the school and school buses etc as it was 4pm and dustbins were out for today etc (she was great with the bins) so no surprise.

I have a lesson tomorrow and will try hubby meeting us halfway at the weekend at a quiet time. I just want to be good enough for her as she had a super home and did loads before and was only sold for school fees :( so I need to make sure she loves her new home with us too:)
 
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