Breena
Member
I have a lovely youngster, he's been a joy to back and hacks out beautifully with others (is even better behaved at times!)
However we're struggling to get over the hurdle of hacking out alone.
We're currently doing a mix of in hand walks up our long driveway if I'm alone, or I'll ride him up if my husband is around to help when he plants.
Its always the same spots:
1. leaving the yard, though 1st few steps!
2. Through our first gate onto the main driveway
3. When the driveway opens out with a large grass area to one side.
Once we're past all f those he's off and away! He does this in hand and ridden, and for all the treats in the world, buckets of food and gentle encouragement he wont budge without being dragged then given heaps of praise for going on.
We've spent time in these places doing nice things, with pockets of treats, fuss and attention, but its making little difference.
We're now also getting into a problem where he decided its home time in these spots (but never once he's past them!!!) and has an amazing talent for making his neck disappear, so I'l have a good contact one second and the next my reins are washing lines and he spun and taken full advantage! He also likes to walk backwards if we're trying to push him on wards in hand or ridden (back, saddle, etc checked obviously).
Before this creates any more habits/problems does anyone have some more tips to get him through these problem spots?
My husband suggested walking him up the drive and getting on at the road.....defeats the object hun! LOL
However we're struggling to get over the hurdle of hacking out alone.
We're currently doing a mix of in hand walks up our long driveway if I'm alone, or I'll ride him up if my husband is around to help when he plants.
Its always the same spots:
1. leaving the yard, though 1st few steps!
2. Through our first gate onto the main driveway
3. When the driveway opens out with a large grass area to one side.
Once we're past all f those he's off and away! He does this in hand and ridden, and for all the treats in the world, buckets of food and gentle encouragement he wont budge without being dragged then given heaps of praise for going on.
We've spent time in these places doing nice things, with pockets of treats, fuss and attention, but its making little difference.
We're now also getting into a problem where he decided its home time in these spots (but never once he's past them!!!) and has an amazing talent for making his neck disappear, so I'l have a good contact one second and the next my reins are washing lines and he spun and taken full advantage! He also likes to walk backwards if we're trying to push him on wards in hand or ridden (back, saddle, etc checked obviously).
Before this creates any more habits/problems does anyone have some more tips to get him through these problem spots?
My husband suggested walking him up the drive and getting on at the road.....defeats the object hun! LOL