Hacking Alone....

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express_75

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Hi

Is it possible to get a spooky pony to hack out alone? My Sec D boy is fab in company (behind - the little chicken), excellent in all traffic etc, he is a star to take to shows, including big ones. I can box him to the beach or any open space and he is fine. The problem is leaving the yard alone, he'll go so far then plant, snort, refuse to move, swing his rear so he can look at the scary fence or gate etc...a total nightmare:(
I really need to get his confidence up as i don't have anyone to ride out with and he's sick of the school.

Any advice will be great

Thanks
 
Yes - with lots of time and patience!
Things that help:
finding a short circular route to practice so that it becomes familiar
having someone accompany you on foot (some horses will take confidence from this additional 'leader' as well as you the rider)
gradually building up the distance
always ending a ride on a good note even if you don't complete the ride you had planned when you set off
learning what works when your horse reacts e.g. spooks/plants/spins - for some this is calm reassurance and waiting on the spot for a few minutes (when safe to do so) before moving on, sometimes strong use of voice/legs/tap with whip is better
ride positively and actively rather than on the buckle, helps reinforce you as the leader/one in charge and builds trust horse's trust
Hope this helps get you started :)
 
Is not having anyone to ride out with a recent thing?

If you have the option of company, try to get him to go in front as a first step, with the 'back-up support' of a companion to give him confidence.

Otherwise, what is he like to long rein? Or would leading him out in hand a couple of times give him more confidence in leaving the yard? Let him see the 'gremlins in the hedge' with you to protect him??

It is possible, but won't happen overnight.

One useful thing I always try to bear in mind is that the horse isn't really hacking out alone, as he has you with him, but he needs to have enough confidence in you as his rider.
 
Yes! Again - lots of patience!
I used to hack a youngster that would hack fine in company, but plant randomly when alone.
You can usually feel them tense when they are about to stop, so lots of encouragement straight away to nip it in the bud.
Sit deep and keep kicking and encouraging with your voice - if he spins, then keep turning him in a circle so it takes his mind of whatever he was going to do (don't wang him round on a tight circle though!)
Lots of patting and praise when he goes forwards, even if its just one step!
Always always talk to him - about anything! Just so he knows you are there and this will relax you too!
Tell someone where you plan to go and how long you think you will be, just in case!

Good luck, hope that's helpful :)
 
Yes I believe you can but it will take a lot of time and patience. I had a very nappy/spooky mare a few years ago. It took a while for her to trust me but after a couple of months we were soon hacking out for hours on a loose rein.

Praise the good behaviour, ignore the bad. All horses are different...with my youngster I got off and lead him a bit (he trusted me more on the ground for a while) this helped to build his confidence to hack out alone. If you got off my mare she would spook and run you over. With her I had to ride it out.

You can usually feel when they are about to do it so lots of praise and kick on :)
 
Yes, but it requires a lot of practise and confidence! It definitely helps to have somebody walking on the ground if possible. But if not, try talking/singing to them. Sounds a bit ridiculous but it really managed to sooth my old pony who was very spooky out hacking. It also calmed me down which was a definite bonus :)
Also, don't be afraid to be firm when needed.
 
Yes, practice and patience is key.

I had one of them too, we hack out alone about 3 times a week now :). I think your first step would be to try to make him lead a hack. If he is spooky even when in company, you have to boost his confidence. Ask a rider with a calm Horse to give you a hand. Try to get him to lead, strong leg and praise when he does go in front. How is he on the ground? you could always lead him in front past something scary then remount after. Carry a whip with you and use that to back up your leg, be confident and as soon as he moves forwards (even just a small step) you need to re assure him, big pat/scratch on withers and a "good lad" try to get him to lead as much as possible.

Once you feel you have completed step 1, I would try a hack alone. Keep it short and a circular (very important otherwise you could teach him to nap) route that him and you know both very well. Ask someone to come with you on foot so he has some re assurance from another person other then you. Stay calm and confident and if needed ask the other person to lead past the scary things (confident handler needed perhaps with a leadrope). Lots and lots of praise. I would do quite a few times before asking the other person to walk further along behind or in front. Gradually you can increase the distance of you and the walker until you leave them behind at the yard.

It doesn't mean to say he will never spook, but it will in time get better and better. My Mare still spooks now, but perhaps once or twice in a hack, opposed to the planted and spinning and jumping at every little thing she used to do.

Good luck :)
 
Thank you all so much for the advice - given me light at the end of the tunnel:)
Nobody hacks out at my yard, they all school and since i ditched the lessons a year ago i have nobody to talk to even. Not pleasant but thats another story

x
 
My boy wouldn't hack solo, did exactly the same as OP's.

It took a lot of effort, and time, to sort him. Basically he'd been in a trekking centre and so just followed the bum ahead without having to think for himself.

I had an expert to help me; she started me on ground-work with him i.e. leading him through obstacles like cones and over tarp's on the ground, to build up each others confidence and so that he respected me as herd leader on the ground first.

Then we built this up; so that I'd lead him out, away from the yard - and bring him back again (led not ridden).

We then progressed to leading out; then about half way round (we always do a circular ride) I'd just hop on, casually, and ride back to the yard.

Then the next stage was to just hop on, very casually, and ride out straight from the yard.

It may be OP that you will need to get someone to help you with this; often it just needs someone else to see what's going on, rather than just you stuggling on your own.

But you can't skip the groundwork stage; and don't let any of the others on the yard laugh at you for doing it either - its vitally important you build up the trust and don't try to run before you can walk. It also helps to go a circular route if you can; I'm luckly in that I'm never in the situation of having to go out and come back the same way.

I think you're very brave to try it; I never thought I'd ever get mine hacking solo, but we DID!!! I was so chuffed the first time we rode out solo; and I firmly believe you will get yours out too on his own.

Good luck.
 
amymay said:
He's not being spooky, he's napping.

Give him a smack and tell him to get on with it.
Click to expand...

I agree but he is also a big spooker! Not a run away but will jump sideways or try & drop a shoulder.

Basically, he is a big baby & loves to scare himself
My 3yr old sec D is the total opposite - not bothered about anything

Argh!
 
Agree with everyone who says lead a hack in company.

Mine did just this last weekend, and twice planted. Once he was taking the pee and a whack sent him forward fairly sharply.

The second time, he actually was very scared, I could feel his heart thumping! But, with gentle persuasion and one foot forward and release, sorted it. Whacking him over this would have made him spin and p off.

You know your horse, but you do have to be persistent and consistent I would say.

Will be fine. Good luck.
 
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