Hacking - Confidence

D

dark_prince

Well-Known Member
Joined
8 May 2012
Messages
353
Location
NW
Visit site
Hi, eventually, I'd like to be able to hack my horse out alone so I would like some advice and ideas on how to get him confident.

He is 4, nearly 5. I have happily hacked him out in company, though it took him a while before he would lead, he will now go in front happily.. until something scares him.

In my area, there are small country roads for about 10 minutes, few cars, but narrow roads, before I can get to a cycle track. This is where I mainly ride as it is a bridle path and you can go for miles down it, have a canter and get to the beach from it.

However, my hacking buddy isn't able to come with me anymore and the other people that hack on my yard prefer going for gallops, which, at the moment, I don't want to do.

Would walking in hand and longreining help him get used to being out on his own? Usually will plant if he is afraid and on his own when you are in the saddle, but I can usually encourage him forward a bit. If I lead him he is more willing.
 
Is there someone who could cycle with you? I did this when making the transition from always hacking with others to going it alone with my youngster and it worked really well. Plus I think my long suffering mum enjoyed the exercise ;)
 
My friend took her 4 yo out in hand for a while when he lost his confidence after being off work for a while, then she hacked him out with me (my horse is the 'uncle' on the yard and looks after all the youngsters/less confident horses) and then gradually with the two she could hack him out by himself again. Oh the other thing she used to do would be walk him in hand for half the hack and then get on for the other half :)
 
Could you start by just going a very short distance and work up from that. That's what I did. Try not to turn back on yourself though, even a small circle is better than turning round. Most problem happen when a horse changes direction.
 
I will try the walking in hand half way, then riding back the other half. The first stretch of road out of the gates is the problem as it is quite narrow and he always tenses up if he's in front on that bit. Also like the idea of someone cycling. Will have to drag my relatives up to help me!
 
Simbacat said:
Could you start by just going a very short distance and work up from that. That's what I did. Try not to turn back on yourself though, even a small circle is better than turning round. Most problem happen when a horse changes direction.
Click to expand...

Have heard this before and always try to bear this in mind, though, at a walk, the shortest 'round trip' is around 20-30 mins.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top