Hacking alone!!!

[becksten]

Hi all,
My 6yr old has never hacked alone, or been the lead horse. My YO told me to do lots of transitions and school him as he easily gets distracted, and i easily get scared (on him).

So today, i walked him up the lane, (about 500yards) with my OH walking behind incase something happened.

1st time, he was nosey, looking round at everything, tried a trot and he just 'flexed' his neck and did a little buck, so i brought him back to walk. Had another trot further up the lane and he was fine.
Coming down the lane (towards home) He speed walked! So then i turned him round and took him back up to the top (as i knew he wanted to go home) Then he had little 'paddy fits'. . . . Walking backwards, sideway, and he nearly ended up down a little ditch, so my OH started to walk, and luckily my horse followed him!

Is there anything i can do before i take him actually on the road? Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Thanks

 

[PaintboxEDT]

i havnt got any advice for you as i was ment to take my boy out for the first time on our own yesturday and i wimped out as i felt really nervous,i just wanted to say well done for doing it,im going to try again soon

 

[marieE]

persist on the lane to start with, your doing the right things, if it gets too scary for you get someone else to ride him though so he doesnt ever learn that having a paddy means he gets to go home, alternatively long line him! i had my mum trawl the streets with me for weeks with one horse to get it more independant, he looked to her for reassurance to start with which we slowly weaned him off till he took my assurances and is very happy hacking alone now, he enjoys it as a break from schooling.

 

[becksten]

I thought of long reining him the next time along a bit of the road, but its national speed limit road at the end of the lane, and so that puts me off a bit

 

[Shannagolden]

long rein him out if he's used to long reining. take him out when the roads are quiet, take him quite a long way otherwise he will get used to going home straight away. when he is happy to go out for a an hour in the long reins take him to a bridle way and ride him on that. get off after ten minuets or so and let him graze in hand. always try to return home in a differant direction so that he dosen't learn to nap.

 

[spitchwick]

Another vote for long reigning, I long reign all my youngsters, round the roads, it's great for them, and it builds their confidence.

 

[marieE]

you need to try pick a quiet time then, im hoping its not too busy?, and get someone to go with you, so they can help you out, lead him ect to start with if you hit problems. and hi viz yourselves!

 

[Skhosu]

I suggest getting someone confident to hack him out first, I wouldn't long rein on a busy road

 

[Breezesbenefactor]

You should be scared whilst riding your horse will pick up on all of this. You must be the dominant leader, as for riding on the roads I'd give it a little longer.

 

[YorksG]

Why not try putting him as lead horse before you try on your own, he will then get some practice of being first out and not following another horse.

 

[Cobland]

All my lot are lead on the road with a bridle on before i hacked them out, then i rode out with a horse that was 110% on the road.

I can now confidently ride them out on the road alone, i love the peace.

 

[AmyMay]

I'm going to say don't long rein him along the roads - sorry folks but I just think that it's a recipe for disaster, unless you live somewhere very quite.

Do you know the history of your horse? Was it ever introduced to being ridden out on it's own do you know??

 

[muddy_grey]

Although I long reined my old youngster out and about all the time the roads were very quiet. If a horse starts to prat about particularly backing up it can be difficult to sort out whilst long reining. I always feel more in control when I'm on (they look so big from the ground). If you don't feel confident enough then ask someone who is. Otherwise just keep trying the lane until he feels better.

 

[Kiko]

start with leading the ride, thats what I done with my youngster! It will help your confidence as well as his as he'll have his friends and you know your not alone. I then went round the roads on my own with my OH on the ground, my youngster used him for reassurance in the face of danger hehe. I can now take him round the farm on his own, although he is really spooky!! I just keep perserveering. I don't particulary like hacking out alone and found that singing out loud helps loads!! Keep at it though, my boy used to nap and everything, he's stopped the napping and is just spooky at the minute! Hope that helps xx