Hacking alone

[Jessicam]

Hi all just looking advice .
I have just bought cob mare rising 5 (young so understandable for what I’m going to write)
She is used to being around other horse she has come to me alone which will be temp. Took her out on a handful of jack but today hacked a new route and came across a field of horses .

She peaked her ears and I seen them at that point too inside I thought , here we goo.
She got very strong in the mouth and pulled up the road in a steady trot not wanted and no brakes . Got to the bottom of the road and knew I had to get back so safest way was to try keep her focused on me in my control but that proved impossible she picked up canter along side these horse which where running up their field along side . She was buzzing but any tips appreciated I know I will have to keep repeating this route to help her but to do this and stay safe I need tips !

 

[Sugar Plum]

Ride, repeat, ride, repeat. If you keep up riding past, consistently asking for control by doing 10m cicles rather than hauling on her back teeth you may find she, and the horses in the field may grow tired of running about? If you leave it, it will always be an issue (said with experience of a mare who learns far too quickly what she can get away with)

 

[cjwchez]

I agree with Sugar Plum, my cob used to be very reactive when riding passed fields of horses when he was younger, especially when they would gallop over to the fence. the more often you do it, the less reactive she will be. This is not the best advice as I know some people would argue that you have less control on the ground - but you could dismount and walk her passed the field first few times if you feel nervous or unsure on how she will act. Then stay on board when you feel more confident about it.

 

[expanding_horizon]

I think you are asking too much. You move a young horse to a location where she is living without the company of other horses. You hack her alone past other horses. IMO it is too big an ask for an unsettled baby horse.

I would establish company at home, then start hacking in company building to hacking past horses in safe company, and build up to solo hacking snd step by step to passing other horses in fields.

 

[canteron]

Shoulder in / neck flexions past the horses with body turning away from the horses.

Practice shoulder-in a calm situation first though.

Also look up one rein stops, for emergencies!

 

[Jessicam]

I appreciate all your advice . She has been hacking on her own and in company previous to me along side xc and jumping bits but her yard had horses in and out all the time . dismounting wouldn’t have worked out well , On other routes she is perfect all round and in my yard she’s content and happy on her own. Baby horse just got hot when she seen others I have no one to hack out with which is annoying

 

[Jessicam]

Ride, repeat, ride, repeat. If you keep up riding past, consistently asking for control by doing 10m cicles rather than hauling on her back teeth you may find she, and the horses in the field may grow tired of running about? If you leave it, it will always be an issue (said with experience of a mare who learns far too quickly what she can get away with)

I think this is what I’m going to do but the fear is taking over a little . She does learn to quick and If I make one wrong move she will know she can get away with things so I need to get on with desensitising her to this . Thank you

 

[Gloi]

I think this is what I’m going to do but the fear is taking over a little . She does learn to quick and If I make one wrong move she will know she can get away with things so I need to get on with desensitising her to this . Thank you

Start by picking routes without loose horses for a while until you feel more confident. Ride in company past the horses if you can find someone.

 

[sollimum]

Can you put a note on your local equine facebook group to find a hacking buddy in your area?

 

[Landcruiser]

OP, do I understand correctly that this horse is kept alone without company? Can she see other horses?

Five Freedoms for Horse Health and Welfare​

Horses are social, nomadic animals that prefer to live and move in groups over large open areas so they can flee from danger. They naturally partake in mutual grooming as a means of bonding and to develop a herd hierarchy (pecking order).
It is almost impossible to provide this type of environment for the domesticated horse but there is an Animal Welfare Act that states all animals are entitled to a minimum level of care.
The Animal Welfare Act states five freedoms that all animals are entitled to:

• Freedom from hunger and thirst: by providing enough fresh water and the right type and amount of food to keep them fit.
• Freedom from discomfort: by making sure that animals have the right type of environment, including shelter and somewhere comfortable to rest.
• Freedom from pain, injury and disease: by preventing them from getting ill or injured and by making sure animals are diagnosed and treated rapidly if they do. Animals should have access to veterinary care when needed.
• Freedom from fear and distress: by making sure their conditions and treatment avoid mental suffering.
• Freedom to behave normally: by making sure animals have enough space, proper facilities and the company of other animals of their own kind.

 

[motherof2beasts!]

Do you mean on individual turn out or she is on her own on yard, no horses over fence?

 

[nikkimariet]

Rinse and repeat. Have a bit that gives you more too (ie a gag on middle or snaffle ring) if not strong otherwise. You’d get her used to other horses by doing some low key clinics etc too. Or even showing? That’s really good, even in hand. Just exposure.

I do 99% of my hacking alone these days. He’s actually better by himself with everything except traffic as he can be a nappy little so and so.

 

[Goldie's mum]

So she is a teenager.
She is temporarily very isolated, having been previously used to a lot of company.
Occasionally, she is expected to walk sedately past a party, ignoring it ?
Sorry but I think you are expecting too much. She isn't being naughty or trying to get away with it. She is behaving normally for her age and situation.

I appreciate that you have to work within a real situation & I'm not being critical but you need to make a big effort to get her some company urgently so she can get the partying out of her system while you are not on her back. Then, ideally you also need to find someone with a sensible older horse to hack out with a few times while you get your confidence back. As has been said, more exposure to low key group situations like lessons or clinics or in-hand shows, is a great idea. In time she will learn that when she is "on duty" it is different from play time.

 

[Jessicam]

OP, do I understand correctly that this horse is kept alone without company? Can she see other horses?

Five Freedoms for Horse Health and Welfare​

Horses are social, nomadic animals that prefer to live and move in groups over large open areas so they can flee from danger. They naturally partake in mutual grooming as a means of bonding and to develop a herd hierarchy (pecking order).
It is almost impossible to provide this type of environment for the domesticated horse but there is an Animal Welfare Act that states all animals are entitled to a minimum level of care.
The Animal Welfare Act states five freedoms that all animals are entitled to:

• Freedom from hunger and thirst: by providing enough fresh water and the right type and amount of food to keep them fit.
• Freedom from discomfort: by making sure that animals have the right type of environment, including shelter and somewhere comfortable to rest.
• Freedom from pain, injury and disease: by preventing them from getting ill or injured and by making sure animals are diagnosed and treated rapidly if they do. Animals should have access to veterinary care when needed.
• Freedom from fear and distress: by making sure their conditions and treatment avoid mental suffering.
• Freedom to behave normally: by making sure animals have enough space, proper facilities and the company of other animals of their own kind.

Yes she is alone right now I have only had her 1 week in my new house /yard as I said in my first post this is temporary I am definitely getting one more horse that will suit us (companion ) to keep regular contact around . I have worked with horses for about 15 years but she is my first of my own now that I can have it at my own house.

 

[MagicMelon]

I would absolutely get a companion sorted for her urgently. Otherwise personally I just wouldnt do that route especially while you're still getting to know her. If you want to do the route in future Id get a buddy to come with you at least the first few times until shes far more settled to try on your own. If you're already a little worried then that of course doesnt bode well on a young horse so just avoid it!

 

[motherof2beasts!]

Think you need to prioritise a companion over riding .

 

[#jackofallmasterofnone]

Op you have to set yourself up to succeed. Baby horse, totally new place, isolated, first solo hacks all alone, passing other horses after a week of social isolation … the odds are stacked against you.

I don’t usually post on these kinds of things I’m pretty good at just sailing on by but this just struck a chord. I feel such a sense of responsibility to make sure I ‘future proof’ my baby horse. I have no intention of ever parting with him but no one ever knows what’s coming down the line. I take care to set him up for success and avoid creating issues which could limit the kind of home he could go to if anything ever happened to me.

I have seen first hand an awful case where someone bought a horse who had been kept alone for a period of time … and was ‘fine’ being kept alone. When moved to a yard with other horses the horse couldn’t cope … every time another horse was moved out of a stable e.g to groom to ride etc the horse lost it. It was heartbreaking to see. They didn’t settle, ended up seriously injuring someone and had to be retired out to grass. A fine waste of an otherwise smashing horse and the new owner was left heart broken and seriously out of pocket.

Your baby horse is only 4, she has her whole life ahead of her and the best way we can secure a good future for them is to try and make sure they dont develop issues which were otherwise avoidable. Baby hacking basics is to go with another established horse skipping steps now is foolish IMO and bringing a baby horse to a yard on its own even if temporarily is quite short sighted and forgive me but kind of selfish. I’m sorry op it is just my opinion.

 

[Jessicam]

I hear everyone on this which I really appreciate I wasn’t expecting her so soon from the girl that sold her but lining up for us both to move to a livery yard next week (which means she has only been by herself for 10days )along with more horses and social interactions for the horse and myself . The last thing I want to destroy this horse because she has a good heart but I know she can not be on her own unfortunately I don’t have anyone around me that is even the slightest bit interested in horses so I need complete strangers help with company which I find very difficult in the horse industry from years of being around them I never feel like people are willing to help

 

[#jackofallmasterofnone]

The livery yard sounds like a great idea until baby horse is up and running with all the basics and you can sort some company before bringing her home. It’s so hard and things happen unexpectedly. You might find in livery yard you can tag along with others little and often so you are not relying on one person to do all the ‘nannying’. Anyway best of luck with her it’s such an exciting (all be it nerve wracking lol) time when you get your first horse!

 

[Goldie's mum]

I hear everyone on this which I really appreciate I wasn’t expecting her so soon from the girl that sold her but lining up for us both to move to a livery yard next week (which means she has only been by herself for 10days )along with more horses and social interactions for the horse and myself . The last thing I want to destroy this horse because she has a good heart but I know she can not be on her own unfortunately I don’t have anyone around me that is even the slightest bit interested in horses so I need complete strangers help with company which I find very difficult in the horse industry from years of being around them I never feel like people are willing to help

Livery yard is a great idea, well done.
Identify where people hang out, there will be a brew room etc. Put up a notice - "Hi I'm [..], I'm new here & I have a 4y.o. who needs to learn to hack. She isn't dangerous just a bit over keen. I would be very grateful for some company. I buy wine when I'm very grateful. [phone number]"

By the way, it sounds like you've got yourself a lovely kind, quiet horse there. Already hacking on her own on the other, non exciting routes is streets ahead of a lot of other youngsters and she doesn't buck when she's excited. She sounds lovely!