Getting a youngster to hack out-help!

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Frankie10

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Hiya
I lost my lovely gelding earlier this year and have just bought a lovely 5 year old to do dressage with. He is lovely- having a few teething problems With travelling but aside from that& the usual youngster behaviour he has been great.
I have my new horse and a pony(that I have backed but don't do anything with) and I stable them at home so u am on my own.
I did have someone I rode with but when I couldn't take her to competitions any more she quickly disappeared! So I don't have anyone to ride with. My rc friends live too far away to ride with me.
My husband led my pony out with me riding new horse earlier this week and he was great. I tried my new horse out on his own this morn and he wasn't good at all. V stressy, napping & whinnying and we didn't get very far.
Anyone have any ideas? Should I get my husband to keep leading the pony out with us once or twice a week? Could I also just keep trying horsey on his own and just go slightly further each time?
Thanks if you have made it this far!
X x
 
Have you tried long-reining him out? OH could come with you the first couple of times by bike or something? Mine used to walk the dogs with me while I long reined out.
 
when i break/work with youngsters I work backwards, i get them leading out on thier own, then i put someone else up and lead them out then i will get on and have someone else walk with me, then i will go out for a short hack completely alone, I do understand some may disagree with me but i want my horses to be bold and brave when it comes to hacking out in company they are bold enough to lead and not worry about the other horse.

I always make sure i am riding very forward as in a positive manner and if need be will use a set of draw reins the first few times just to be able to have some back up there.

I always expect babaies be insecure but they are taught that if i say go they go, as in i meen oh yes that bin is scary but on you go, snort prance do what you like but keep thoose hoofs moving!
 
I would say take the pressure off and try leading him out just the 2 of you - if good as gold then get on and ride back home when x mins away and build up distance doing this (obviously lead out tacked up !) You could just persevere with the hacking out on own but if he is going to get more and more stressed you might have to try another approach. If not happy leading on own then I think person on pushbike or foot next best option as it is still breaking bond with pony so that hurdle overcome. Then just build the bravery.

I did the same as Jhoward as had no-one to hack with so my chap hacked from day one on own (from 3, just small site seeing trips) and therefore it has never been a problem.

Also - remember - someone said to me - "he is not on his own - you are with him !!"
 
Hi everyone
Thanks so much for the responses- have a plan now& feel really positive about cracking this! Starting tomorrow!!
Thanks so much again guys x x x
 
I had the same issue with my 5yr old, my OH led my older boy out the first few times and he would be fine, but when I tried to take him out by myself he would spin, rear, run backwards. I tried to lead him out by himself, but he would still be nappy, rear and bronc and wouldnt walk forwards. I went back to riding out when my OH could lead my other horse, we then went down to my OH just walking by our side and then he started walking behind us and gradually extending the distance. My boy now happily hacks out by himself. He will have odd moments, but 99% of the time is as good as gold :)
 
ime a person on foot with you is by far the safest option. they can distract/rewards horse with a timely handful of grass, be an anchor if things get terrible, they can drop back when you look confident, they can get out of the way sharpish if the horse gets daft (someone on a bike can't, as my mother found to her cost when i was on a 12.2 and he shied violently into her and the bike, ouchhhh). walkers are reliable (usually, i have had one drop behind me and then walk smack into youngster's bum when youngster boggled at something!) and don't shy at things, definitely the best bet!
 
I dont lead mine out as both the ones we have led out once you are on them stop and wait ot be led and its been a real battle so we dont now do this, my mare wasnt long reined out either, she went out on her own and had my friend walk behind her and we went off round the village round the airfield and home (about 1/2 hr). we did this about 3 times and thats it. Yes we had a few times where she would get to a certain point then stop and argue but then thats youngsters. she is 4 now and escorts other horses out. she is not a plod at all but looks to me for confidence and trusts and goes.
 
Really interesting post, I'm about to start hacking my very green youngster out and have no one to hack with :o, so husband has a choice of walking, cycling or leading companion pony.

That'll please him, lol.
 
I think a variety is best so lots of leading out, long reining, person on a bike, equine company all helps, keeping routes short and circular so the horse quickly gains confidence in the same familiar area.
 
Ditto JHoward in that I never work with anyone else (nobody about so can't not me being a diva!) so horses get used to long reining on their own and listening to me from the start. I tend to have more excitement when it comes to riding in company, still, can't have it both ways I suppose and I'd rather not have a nappy horse.
 
Very good post, I am dithering about doing anything with my backed 3 year old as no one to hack with, well will start long reining tomorrow
 
My friends horse is napping. He goes backwards, bucks and doesnt listen to your leg when he goes backwards. Eventually after much kicking with my leg he goes forward. She has another horse whose bombproof and would be a good horse to follow but I want him to hack on his own. But today he was with another horse altho it was a spooky youngster. Arghh horses.
 
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Hiya
Thought I would provide an update!my sister led the pony out with us yesterday- we had a lovely plod around the forest and he was really chilled and bold! Wanted to go in front and lovely and non spooky! Plan is to utilise pony until my youngster is really confident then I'm going to try getting my hubby to walk alongside for a while and see if he remains chilled! If not, I'll try some of the other suggestions! Thanks for all the advice everyone! Don't want to jinx myself but I may win this one! Just the trailer issue to resolve now...... !!!??!?
 
Hiya 4x4
I'm based in south Wales. Not sure which part of the country you are in but I'm guessing I couldn't be that lucky! Really nice offer for someone!!! X
 
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