Getting off mid hack

[milliepops]

it 100% depends on the horse (and situation) IMO whether you're in more control on board or on foot. it's madness to be black and white about things like that.

I can't ever really remember a time when I've been in hand with a horse and thought it's going to bugger off. they've got a bit animated at times but never to the point where I have thought i would lose control. But I have had plenty of experiences where I've been on board and totally out of control though and that's the time I've felt unsafe - of the current crop one stands on her back legs and runs backwards, and the other shoots off at speed without a care for the rider. If I'm on the ground, both of those antics stop because I can focus their attention on ground manners and not on whatever had sent them into a meltdown.

 

[jenniehodges2001]

Well equally without wishing to cause offence, I totally disagree. If you can't handle a horse in pretty much any situation from the ground, you haven't got to the point where you should be riding it.
I repeat, if I thought that a horse I was riding wasn't sufficiently with me that I could get off it on a ride and know it's not going to bog off, I wouldn't be taking it out, because that sort of horse is the sort that will bog off with you on it too.
.

I've had my horse 18 years, bought as a six year old. I've done affiliated and unaffiliated levels of sj/dressage and I've hacked it approx 2-4 times a week, literally every week for 18 years, so I guess you could say I am a proficient enough rider and know my horse inside/out. But even when said horse used to plant, spin and do little rears out on hacks on my own all those years ago I never once got off. I knew it did it for a reason and got the reason sorted (pain related) but its never bolted with me. But knowing what could happen if it did would make me not get off. You might be right about the ground work to a degree, and I don't personally tolerate rude horses who paw the ground or try to bite or kick people under any circumstance. And I respect your view, but ultimately I still think if your horse wanted to bolt when you led it, no amount of control or training could prevent it from doing so (unless its a very slight animal). You can't change a flight to a fight.

 

[IrishMilo]

The only time I've gotten off mid-hack was from a gallop when I bailed... the little tw*t was headed for the main road back to the yard without a hope in hell of me stopping him and I wasn't going with him. Broke a few bones but the alternative could have been so much worse. I don't think getting off if it defuses the situation is wrong at all - much preferable to getting into an argument or accident on board.

 

[oldie48]

I've got off Rose twice recently whilst hacking because I really can't afford to fall off and bang my head. The first time she lit up in the middle of a big field, started to bounce and chuck herself around I got her safely out of the field and thought she'd settle but she didn't so I hopped off and led her home whilst a storm raged round us. The second time we met a huge tractor and trailer combo on a steep hill, she really isn't good with big stuff and although I tried to get her past she was having none of it. On both occasions once I got off, led her and she was fine. I think it's best to do whatever is required to keep yourself and your horse safe and the only time I've "lost" a horse is when I've fallen off.

 

[Muddywellies]

This 100 per cent.

And me. At times mine is strong and tricky to handle on board. Walking in hand usually diffuses a situation quietly and safely meaning I can re mount and carry on.

 

[PapaverFollis]

Beast is like a lit firework to ride but as soon as you get off she just floomphs and fizzles out! I've got off her when she was having the biggest tantrum ever about walking down a stretch of road (there was a dead chicken and I think that was what was upsetting her) she wasn't having any of it but I didn't want to just turn and go home, all our hacks were out and backs and I was always picky about it being ME that decided when we turned. She was really throwing her weight around about this chicken. But I hopped off and she just complete relaxed and I led her past into my friend's farm... got back on from a tractor tyre. Rode back past the chicken no problems and did the same hack three times in a row with no further issues.

So yeah. Get off if you need to and it helps.

 

[Rowreach]

I've had my horse 18 years, bought as a six year old. I've done affiliated and unaffiliated levels of sj/dressage and I've hacked it approx 2-4 times a week, literally every week for 18 years, so I guess you could say I am a proficient enough rider and know my horse inside/out. But even when said horse used to plant, spin and do little rears out on hacks on my own all those years ago I never once got off. I knew it did it for a reason and got the reason sorted (pain related) but its never bolted with me. But knowing what could happen if it did would make me not get off. You might be right about the ground work to a degree, and I don't personally tolerate rude horses who paw the ground or try to bite or kick people under any circumstance. And I respect your view, but ultimately I still think if your horse wanted to bolt when you led it, no amount of control or training could prevent it from doing so (unless its a very slight animal). You can't change a flight to a fight.

But that is one horse that you've had for 18 years.

And I'm not talking about rudeness or manners so much as establishing a connection with the horse whereby it's focus is on the human on the ground (initially, before you think about riding it) so much so that it stays with you mentally as well as physically, in all circumstances.

 

[Translationsneeded]

I get off regularly. He might be nervous, I might be nervous. I don’t care if I need to, I do what I’m comfortable with at the time. I hack a lot on my own and sometimes it’s a better choice for me

 

[NinjaPony]

Have never had a problem with getting off. It’s taken me years to build up my hacking confidence, particularly alone, and it’s very important to me that I don’t have a set back that could easily be avoided. Back when I was riding my boy I hopped off a couple times when solo hacking because he’d got stressed about something and started getting very wound up. I’m way more confident on the floor after years of welsh hysteria so I got off, we calmed everything down, and then go back on when I could. Why have a big dramatic and potentially damaging fight if you don’t need to, when actually you can really restore the horses confidence by taking the lead. Horses for courses.

 

[atropa]

I'm another who regularly gets off out hacking if required as I always feel safer and more confident on the ground. Never had a problem leading home if necessary, although sometimes it has felt like leading racehorses at the Grand National.
No I probably wouldn't stand a hope in hell if a horse really decided to bolt, but I also wouldn't have much of a chance on board either if it really decided to go, and then I'd be stuck trying to extricate myself from the top of a half tonne animal moving at speed. Been there, done that, no desire to do it again.

 

[Dyllymoo]

Thanks all. I had a friend walk with me last night, we walked up the hill past the house, no issues, and then around a green space and back on ourselves, down the hill no issues. In fact he went down the hill the slowest and most careful he has ever done (he will normally just almost run down hills). The dog wasn't barking but I'm still very pleased with him.

 

[nikkimariet]

I’ve got off mid hack before. If he’s just being a bell about going by something I’ll have a word but if it’s because of a gate etc then I just get off. I have jumped off Rooni because I’ve traffic. He’s absolutely terrified of it so it’s for the best. I keep a long rope on him just in case when I’m on my own.

 

[sharni]

I've been dismounting mid hack often several times for some 50 years. it gives the horse confidence to lead past a scary thing or just to get off give its back and your legs a rest even let them graze a little it all instils calmness. you are doing the right thing.

 

[Auslander]

i have no issue with getting off Alf on the odd occasions when he has a complete meltdown about something - I feel the shutters come crashing down between his brain and the rest of him/me, and I have no hesitation in getting my feet on solid ground! It doesn't happen very often, and I only get off when I am in no doubt that his marbles have well and truly departed - because I know the chances of finding somewhere high enough to get back on are low, and I am too lazy to want to walk miles home, especially with him in dragon mode!

 

[9tails]

I sometimes get off just to stretch my legs. This has made my horse confident to be led anywhere and to stand beside all manner of unlikely and sometimes precarious mounting blocks. Quite a good tool to have.

 

[milliepops]

I feel the shutters come crashing down between his brain and the rest of him/me,

that's the perfect description for my crackpots too uh oh... there's a window of opportunity and it's closing fast!

 

[ycbm]

I was forced to get off Ludo on Monday. He point blank refused to walk through a strip of water between two puddles on the road. It was a maximum of 30cm/14 inches across and half an inch (12mm) deep. The brave boy followed me through it fearlessly though, so my groundwork training must be spot on ?

I used to be in the never get off, you're safer on top camp, but not for a long while now. Discretion is the better part of valour ....

 

[SEL]

I did recently. Builders had set off a cement mixer not far from the yard - sounded like they were mixing solid bricks.

We did a huge amount of groundwork as a youngster dealing with scary stuff and when its VERY scary it is still better for the human to go first and get eaten by the trolls. She'll follow me past most stuff in hand so long as her brain is still engaged.

 

[PapaverFollis]

If MrPF had been more willing to hop off, him and The Beast wouldn't have gone playing in the ditch recently. We've spoken about it and tactics going forward definitely involve getting off the horses if necessary. Even if he stays on board and I get off MrT to lead everyone past. I can get back on from the ground! ?

 

[maya2008]

You need to practise mounting from the ground - worried horses aside, you could come across branches that need clearing, you could drop something, go out with a friend who then needs a hand with something, come across a tricky gate... getting off is fine, if you can get back on again!

 

[Lois Lame]

There is nothing wrong with dismounting and leading your horse if it is the safest option. Just insist that he stands nicely when you get off and leads sensibly. If you need to remount (and there's a handy low wall for example, to use as a mounting block) again ask him to stand properly while you get back on.

It's a sensible thing to do.

 

[LEC]

What are your thoughts?

I took J out last night on a short route (as per vets instructions). We were on our own but he was fine. Got to a point that he does sometimes worry at as there is a little tiny demon dog that barks and growls and runs up and down the fence line but you cant see it. J is not bothered by dogs generally but this "invisible" dog really worries him.

Last night he was very upset and started to spin and spook and moonwalk. We were heading down a hill on concrete and rather than risk him slipping/ falling I got off and lead him down. He was still a bit agitated but followed me. We were only 5 minutes from home so I just walked him back in hand (I'm not very athletic and there were only parked cars that I could launch myself back on with... didn't think that would go down well!).

I need to take him out again tonight for the same sort of time but I'm unsure if I should risk the same route or go another way (I cant reverse the route as there is a very steep hill down if we go the other way, whereas this way it is more graduated).

I've never got off on a hack before but I'm more concerned about him hurting himself now

I get off all the time. I have an eventer who just will have a complete meltdown over nothing. I could have a massive fight about it or I can get off, go past the issue and get back on again. This horse is very insecure and worried so me getting off and being her crutch is fine. The less drama I make out of issues, the less issues we tend to have. Her behaviour is telling me she is really worried so to ignore it and bully her is just dumb.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

I've been thinking about this last night, as you do. In my mind if you have done all the trust bonding and instilling polite and good manners at home - walking over tarps under very low poles and through big splashy puddles etc., then your horse will have a good sense of trust in you and accept you as the leader to follow calmly no matter what. One of my favourites is tying bits of flappy bin bag all around the paddock or small field while I ride around it on a windy day.

This latter was promoted by one dear horse spotting some silage wrap blowing out of a hedge on a narrow lane and promptly leaving straight through the middle of a very thick thorn hedge into the field opposite, we looked like someone had been at us with the cheese grater. Eventually though I was able to hack him past anything flapping in the wind even on narrow lanes where the offending monster was almost swirling around his feet as we passed by.

Please dont run away with the idea I am a crazy NH practitioner - couldn't be further from the truth about me lol! but I do draw on years of experience to solve most things as calmly as we can. If a horse tried to tank of with me when leading it anywhere I would be extremely disappointed in myself for failing to enforce good manners and trust under almost any circumstances from the start of our partnership.

 

[Auslander]

that's the perfect description for my crackpots too uh oh... there's a window of opportunity and it's closing fast!

My window of opportunity for being able to physically get off is small - once he starts doing the crazy, it's actually quite tricky to disembark!

 

[milliepops]

My window of opportunity for being able to physically get off is small - once he starts doing the crazy, it's actually quite tricky to disembark!

i missed my chance on Kira on one unusually optimistic solo hack over the summer, once she has started to nap there's nothing you can do about it. she reversed into a field though an open gateway next to a house, with the house owner chasing me along with an angry face on, as though i was doing it on purpose. there was literally nothing i could have done, every time I attempted to get off she reared, and so I just had to sit there going backwards at speed until she ground to a halt, and then i could leap off quickly and dragged her back to the road . have also been bogged off with in passage (different horse), totally out of control, very slow, hopeless. had to run that one into a gateway and hop off onto the gate.

so yeah, i'm normally quite quick to take my chance to get off

 

[PapaverFollis]

Granny horse had a speciality mad trot that was terrifying but somehow impossible to get off from. She wasn't scared of much but if she heard a gunshot that was that! I just had to cling on for dear life and point her for home while my core muscles got pulverised into oblivion trying to sit to the mad trot. Wasn't even fast. Like psuedo-passage with a very tense back. ? only happened a couple of times but I wasn't laughing then. ?

 

[jenniehodges2001]

You need to practise mounting from the ground - worried horses aside, you could come across branches that need clearing, you could drop something, go out with a friend who then needs a hand with something, come across a tricky gate... getting off is fine, if you can get back on again!

Some people can't physically mount from the ground. I am unable to lift my leg high enough to put my foot in the stirrup due to a compressed disc so I always mount/dismount from a block to give me the necessary height. On the couple of occasions when I've had to get off on my own accord I have tried to find somewhere raised to land but each time jarred my back such is the nature of my disability and no matter how much I bend my knees on landing.

 

[Alibear]

You goal was to get past the obstacle (dog) calmly and carry on with your outing. You achieved that well done. Next time you do, whatever you feel is best, to achieve the same thing.

 

[maya2008]

Some people can't physically mount from the ground. I am unable to lift my leg high enough to put my foot in the stirrup due to a compressed disc so I always mount/dismount from a block to give me the necessary height. On the couple of occasions when I've had to get off on my own accord I have tried to find somewhere raised to land but each time jarred my back such is the nature of my disability and no matter how much I bend my knees on landing.

You are the exception though not the rule- with your condition I would imagine you would also have a relatively sensible horse, and have a plan in place to allow for someone to come and help you if you were miles from home and couldn’t get back on.

Most people can get back on from the ground if they practise enough, and it is an extremely useful skill to have. Just in the last week I have been off and on again several times - to retrieve a dropped whip (not mine!), to remove fallen branches and clear the path, to rescue the child who had not ducked in time and got caught in a branch and to find a safe way through scrub round a fallen tree (I would rather it was me who stood in the rabbit hole I couldn’t see, and not my horse!). On none of those occasions was I anywhere near home (or a road in all but one example) so being unable to remount would have meant a 40-60 minute walk.

 

[milliepops]

FWIW i don't mount mine from the *ground* ever, but I'm more than happy to walk until we find something to mount from (fortunately where I live there's usually something within a few hundred metres, bank/wall/treestump/park horse in tractor ruts etc!) I'm fairly disciplined about teaching them to stand to be mounted under normal circumstances, tho if they were stuck in the firebreathing mode I'd just walk, I don't mind tbh!