Getting an ex racer to hack alone?

[Captain Bridget]

I ride an ex racer mare every so often, mostly hacking, but she doesn't hack alone which is something her owner would like her to do.

She'll hack in company just fine, although a little spooky but that's just her. She's 15 now.

Where would you start with getting her to hack alone?

 

[ImmyS]

I would just suggest to do it all in stages.

Firstly just lead her out in hand, perhaps just go to the bottom of the road then straight back, gradually increasing the distance until going round the 'block' calmly in hand (obviously only do this if she would be safe to walk in hand, wear hat and gloves and if preferred lead in a bridle).

Once this has been established the same process can be done with rider on board and preferable someone on foot as well, again building up the distance gradually.

And finally do the same with just a rider and the horse.
This process should build up the horses confidence gradually reassuring the fact they will be returning to the yard everytime. It's just perseverance and repetition, I've been there with my ex racer!

Good luck!

 

[Dizzydancer]

What does she do when tryin to hack alone? Will she school alone or go round fields alone?
If she doesn't do anything dangerous as such i would just persevere and only go very short distances as with any other horse no need to treat differently as an ex racer.
Be prepared tho if been in racing that long it will be hard habit to break as they hack out in a string generally.

 

[charlimouse]

With mine I tend to do a schooling session first, then instead of going straight back to the stable just walk a few yards down the lane, and gradually increase the distance. If the horse is particularly sticky I make sure I trot out of the arena and keep the trot down the lane until I feel the horse is taking me forwards. If I reach the grass track and the horse is still backing off I tend to have a canter, as that normally gets them thinking forwards. I have found going 'cold' straight from the yard tricky as the horse feels like he is leaving all his friends behind. Whereas if they have had 30 mins schooling in the arena on their own first, they are litening to the rider far more, and not thinking so much of their mates in the yard.

Once I am over the first hurdle of getting down the down the lane (in my case about 100yards). I try to ride a circular route, even if it is just riding a big loop in a field, just so the horse doesn't get to the point where they think they should turn round and nap.

How long it will take depends on the horse. Last september my new ex racer smashed my jaw because the horse he was hacking with went round a corner and he lost sight of her. For the past month he is now hacking out on his own on familiar routes, and I am able to ride him past other horses if I meet them out, rather than him throwing a major tantrum. Still a way to go, as last week he got halfway through the village, and planted refusing to move for 5 minutes because it was recycling day and all the bin were out on the pavement! But by using a mix of going out alone and in company he is beginning to get the hang of it.

 

[Captain Bridget]

She will school alone but generally there are other horses in view, I've walked her round the jumps field alone but again, there are other horses in view and it's not out of the yard environment.

She will nap, plant and has apparently bolted home so I wouldn't want to push her too far. She was in racing a long time so it's going to be tricky. I think walking her out would be a good place to start, the yard has a long drive we can go down to start with.

That's a really good idea, thanks Charlimouse! I'll try that as soon as I can. I'd never thought of taking him straight from schooling.

 

[nikkimariet]

Agree with the 'doing it in in stages' bit.

Perversely have found Fig most calm and content when accompanied by someone on foot, rather than with another horse.

Also, random thought re: spooking. You haven't said at what, but in case it's traffic, try halting before/as the cars go by. Don't know why it makes a difference, but if I halt Fig so cars can pass us - he doesn't flinch/jump - but if we're walking and the car is moving, it's just too much lol and he sometime skitters sideways a step or two and gets himself wound up.

 

[moodymare_1993]

please whatever you do, if she is no good going out by herself, please DO NOT take her out in hand, i did this with my 6yo tb mare 3 weeks ago thinking she would be fine, as shes really good in hand round the yard and she was terrible, ive never been so frightened of a horse in my life!!, she reared, spinned, kicked out with her back legs, you name it, she did it, and she broke 3 of my fingers x

best way, tack her up and get on her, ride her out with no other horses but have another person on the floor with you, its really helping my mare, dont go too far and go places she uysually goes with other horses.

dont go out in hand...youll end up with a broken finger, like my three...i dont mean to frighten you lol, just know what could happen if your told to take a horse out by hand when it doesnt hack alone, i would r ather be on top and her have a mood swing that be on the floor and her have one


good luck

 

[Kat]

I would hack ridden with someone on foot or on a bike as a halfway house. When you can go out with the bike happily, start going ahead and leaving the bike behind, or allowing it to leave you behind. Build up to starting out with company and then the bike/walker takes a shortcut and meets you at home. Then reduce the time you are accompanied until you can go alone.