Hacking alone - confidence!

[Loubiepoo]

This is a bit self indulgent but I just wanted to share with other people that have horses that are spooky or not confident hacking alone that progress can be made.

I have spent the last month walking my boy round the same streets in the village, either in hand or with someone walking at the side of me.

Last night after a gentle warm up in the yard he felt nice and relaxed so I decided to go it alone - he was a bit nervous to start with but I felt ok and kept singing a little tune to him and he was as good as gold. I know it was only ten mins out on his own on roads he knows but I feel we've made a bit of progess.

So to those who are struggling - i know how you feel, but keep persevering, its worth it, even just for the little steps.

 

[gembob]

aw bless well done!! x

 

[conniegirl]

well done, ive reacently had to hack my lad out alone and it can be rather scarey when he plays up.

 

[joanne1920]

well done, i know exactly how it feels, have progressed on my youngster to hacking out alone yet, so well done x

 

[dream_girl]

woo well done you =]

It used to be me who was the nervous one .. riding in the menage and goin on a hcak cos i wasnt used to a foward going pony (my new 1) I thought listening to my MP3 helped .. only in 1 ear though so i could hear what was goin on around me! that helped me =] xx

 

[Loubiepoo]

Thanks i might try the ipod - I did get some funny looks from people out doing their gardens etc with singing my little tune. But then again maybe the sound of my voice helped my lad relax too.

 

[dream_girl]

You should it really really does help. Get some nice peaceful songs or dance songs LOL . I do aswell .. although u dont sing i talk to her in like a soft singy voice .. it does help so its worth the looks keep it up =] xx

 

[gemmahodgkinson]

i hate hacking out alone because my girly is young and naps horribly when she is on her own. i took her around the tiny village block on sunday on my own though and i sang lierally at the top of my voice 'you are my sunshine, my only sunshine...' all the way around. it relaxed me and she did not nap, but i dont know how effective it would be if we went somewhere we didnt know! well done though, i know exactly how you feel and i find baby steps are the best way too! x

 

[jumpthemoon]

Well done! I took my naughty horse out on his own for the first time last week, so I know how you feel too! It's surprisingly daunting when you are pretty sure they'll misbehave

It's so nice when you feel you are getting somewhere!

 

[landyandy]

well done kittykate, any tips on what to do with tractors

 

[Loubiepoo]

Blah Andy!!!! Luckily we didn't meet any!!!! Ride out with me and see what he's like with them.
x

 

[Chumsmum]

Well done!

[ QUOTE ]
any tips on what to do with tractors

[/ QUOTE ]

What has helped with my boy and tractors is by being really confident with the tractor drivers by asking them nicely to stop/slow down so you have time to calmly get out of the way so can 'park' yourself in a nice big verge/gateway/driveway.

As it passes I keep talking to him in a loud calm voice, telling him he is a brave boy, stroking his neck but holding on to both reins (not too tight but in control) and lots of praise if he doesn't get het up.

If no where to 'park' yourself safely I ask the driver if they can stop while I go past them, I keep my leg on and press him forward, we sometimes go a bit faster than I would like but in control.

My boy is a lot lot better than when I first had him (can't remember the last time he had a problem) but I think that the main part has been by me being more confident with drivers and not rushing him out of the way so he gets even more wound up.

All horses/rider are different but I hope this helps - good luck

 

[landyandy]

[ QUOTE ]
Well done!

[ QUOTE ]
any tips on what to do with tractors

[/ QUOTE ]

What has helped with my boy and tractors is by being really confident with the tractor drivers by asking them nicely to stop/slow down so you have time to calmly get out of the way so can 'park' yourself in a nice big verge/gateway/driveway.

As it passes I keep talking to him in a loud calm voice, telling him he is a brave boy, stroking his neck but holding on to both reins (not too tight but in control) and lots of praise if he doesn't get het up.

If no where to 'park' yourself safely I ask the driver if they can stop while I go past them, I keep my leg on and press him forward, we sometimes go a bit faster than I would like but in control.

My boy is a lot lot better than when I first had him (can't remember the last time he had a problem) but I think that the main part has been by me being more confident with drivers and not rushing him out of the way so he gets even more wound up.

All horses/rider are different but I hope this helps - good luck

[/ QUOTE ] thankyou for the advise, my problem is that as soon as he sees one he tries to run away from it, i am confident when i see a tractor as my other horse does not have a problem with them, i keep him on a small farm so will ask the farmer to help out.thanks

 

[Ellies_mum2]

Well done . Glad to hear you are making progress. Hope it continues too