Hacking anxiety

[Eloisee]

Hello all!

A new friend has offered to come by my yard to pick me and my horse up to go for a hack in the local woods next week.
I jumped at the chance as I have no transport and I thought well if I don’t say yes I won’t get offered it again!
However, I haven’t travelled my horse in over 2 1/2 years. And I’ve never actually taken him away from home to hack. We have only ever been showing in the past. He’s very sensitive and spooky/jumpy and now I’m scared I’ve let myself in for something I wont enjoy. My friend is an accomplished rider and I feel abit silly to tell the truth.. she said we can go steady as her horse is just building up his fitness after an injury.
I know I should probably tell her how I’m feeling, but like I said .. I feel abit silly.
Does anyone have any advise on how to tackle the day..? Handle my horse when he’s being dramatic and stressy ..? I just want to enjoy it so I can maybe be asked again but I’m now snowballing all the possibilities

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

He will probably be quite settled with another horse to show him how to carry on.

 

[Roxylola]

I'd be honest with your friend - just literally tell them you're stressing a bit for the reasons you've given. Theyll understand and should be able to put your mind at ease a bit about what you'll be doing

 

[Dasher66]

You won't know unless you have a go.
Feel the fear and do it anyway, your friend sounds accommodating and you never know it may turn out fab.

 

[TotalMadgeness]

I have hacking anxiety and what I do is have a rope halter on the horse under the bridle and if he's at a new place I lead him initially to make sure he is fine with what's going on. Once he's calmed down I get on!

 

[Muddywellies]

Be honest with your friend about his you're feeling but trust her. If she's a true friend, which I'm sure she is, she will look after you. Your horse may be quite 'pleased' to be out and about but put on your brave pants and trust your friend and your horse. I'll bet you a pound to a penny that you have an awesome time!

 

[oldie48]

Just be honest. I hope you have a great time and it will be the first of many.

 

[EarsofaSnowman]

In similar situations i speak up about my apprehension, otherwise i get myself in more of a state trying to hide my nerves! I have a more confident friend who gets me to sing, or talk nonsense, if I'm facing something that could be spooky, as she knows i) that it helps stop me focusing on what ifs, and ii) if I'm talking, I'm not holding my breathe. Go for it, I'm sure you'll have a great time

 

[Dwyran_gold]

i has a similar situation recently. I didn’t actually say anything in the end because I though, well, what’s going to change, I’m still going to go anyway, saying anything wouldn’t change anything so, I just bit the bullet and I’m so glad I did because the horse I took out on his first hack ridden (driving horse) was so good and I had a great time and I’ve been taking him out more and more. Go for it! x