Hacking halp needed - losing the knack with horses..

[ChestnutConvert]

I recently posted about my horse that keeps spinning, reversing etc when we go out on our own for a hack. It started when we passed his field mate who was on his way back while out. I have taken him out with someone on foot as i don't have anyone to ride with, with the plan to wean him off someone being there and get back to riding out alone.

This was going well until today when with someone there he spun, reversed spun again, as it happens in a road that isn't totally quiet we went back after trying to get further, although i didn't let him go straight back we went past so he doesn't get totally what he wants.

He's a bit older so wise to tricks and i know he is getting away with it a bit so will do it again but having this done on a road i get to worried about consequences. Do i need someone with total confidence to take him out and 'tell him no'? do i need to ride out with his field mate for confidence?
Sorry it's long but i'd love to get back to how we were with our hacking, i've had no problems before this and don't want to lose nerve or faith!

 

[humblepie]

Possibly someone else to ride him may be a good idea if you know of someone suitable. A friend's horse used to get sharp like that with her and a very experienced racing/show jumping chap used to ride him out occasionally for her which would sort the problem. Horse just sort of knew he had to behave for him.

I agree with you that it is always a worry re insurance/accidents etc so it would really have to be the right person to help you and perhaps if possible find a quiet route.

 

[ChestnutConvert]

Thanks for that but this might sound stupid but do you think it would be wrong to approach people locally that are of a good standard to get them to ride him out? I don't really know anyone at the mo.

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

Is your horse good to handle on the ground?
My mare whom I have had the last 18years tries me more than she ever did when she was younger. I do find it harder to hold my nerve but I try persist.
I often walk her in hand past some donkeys she still hates then get on once past as I know she is much more relaxed.
If you can go out with another to help your confidence initially that would be ideal, I think it is great if you can keep up the solo hacking as well, its nice to be able to get them confidently out alone.
Good luck with your horse, I understand how they can knock your confidence with spooking, as you get older self preservation seems more at the forefront of one's mind

 

[Echo Bravo]

Have you tried just walking him in hand, just bridle no saddle to where he has tantrum and walking on pass before you turn for home, take someone with you for a moral booster

 

[ChestnutConvert]

he is absolutely lovely on the ground, great to handle, affectionate, can trust him, leave him un bridled etc, its purely just when we are out and i really do think he tests more as he's older. I'm determined to see it through but as you said as you get older your confidence chips easier. Positive and happy! (hopefully)

 

[ChestnutConvert]

i walked on past today and eventually got him to stop jogging, once he realised he wasn't getting way with it. I haven't taken him out with no saddle mind. i change routes so that he doesn't get bored and sees different things, trying to keep it varied.

 

[Bettyboo222]

Is there anyone who you could go with ? Whereabouts are you ?

 

[ChestnutConvert]

Herts/Bucks. At the minute i only have someone to ride with one a week and we're not always free at the same time, hence getting him back out on his own is important. I've got someone free to come on foot more often then not.

 

[mystiandsunny]

You're in the same area as me!

Is that all he does? He needs to go out on quieter roads for a while where you can have your 'discussion' to its natural conclusion without a problem. One car decided to go the other way today when I was getting Lilly under a bridge - it only took a few minutes before she gave in, but the sight of spin, run, spin, run, rear, spin etc seemed to worry the driver rather!!! Every time you win, he will keep going for less long the next time. If someone on foot, have a headcollar under the bridle and a leadrope - they can lead you past whatever it is. Just keep going, don't give up, and you'll win. I have two who did this as babies and it never lasted long. Just educating the new one now!

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I think you need a trainer/instructor, someone who can help you with the issues. There are two, as I see it: (1) you have a very clever horse who's reading you like a book and OK admittedly he might have some confidence issues re. hacking alone, BUT is also, I would suggest, taking the P!$$. (2) you're steadily losing confidence at riding out and this is impacting on your horse's behaviour. Its a vicious circle and you need to start changing it - PDQ.

I would suggest you not put yourself in the position where you might be in danger on the roads from his behaviour; that's not helping either of you.

And I personally don't think the solution is to get someone else riding him out for you coz YOU are the one he's gotta start respecting, and he's obviously not doing that at the mo. OK so a stronger rider might well get him going forward but at the end of the day its you that's gotta ride him.

I had some of the issues you mention with mine; sounds very similar! He was a trekking horse and hadn't ever been out on his own and did the whole spinning/planting, taking the mick routine. I'd all but given up on him and was going to sell him, then decided what the heck, I'll get some help, and it revolutionised the whole thing and made me see the whole thing in a different light. Things are never so awful when you've got someone standing with you with a problem.

So, may I suggest two options: (1) find somewhere local to you, or where you can drive to conveniently, and ask them to take your horse for some re-schooling - but YOU GO WITH HIM every day and both of you learn together - its a waste of money else coz you are the one who's gotta ride him.

Or (2) get an instructor to come to you and help you sort this problem out in situ. This will be the cheapest and, long-term, probably the best solution.

Personally I found someone that combined the approaches of Michael Peace & Intelligent Horsemanship; but wasn't a slave to either discipline. Sometimes with a quirky horse you need a quirky approach, so ask around to find the right person and don't be afraid to ditch any trainer you're not happy or confident with.

Good luck. I know this can be sorted coz my boy was just like yours three years ago. He still takes the P. occasionally but not I've got some coping mechanisms to cope, its not half so bad.

 

[ladyt25]

Hmm, is he just spinning and reversing? No rearing, broncing, running off etc? If just the former then I would say you may just have to sit it out until you 'win'! i have a 24 yo pony who, although generally ok, will occasionally decide he doesn't fancy going past something and will spin (always left) and reverse. He can reverse bloody brilliantly too - gets quicker and quicker and, no matter what you do he will continue!!! However, i have had him since he was 8 and he knows every hacking route it is just if he feels there is something different (pile of leave etc) and he'll try this trick!

I make sure i win the battle even if i have to get off!!! They of course normally choose a road where theres' cars etc/ a steep hill etc. What i normally do if he turns round is then REVERSE him in the direction I want to go. then i stop him, turn him round and ask him to walk forward, if he still revereses/spins I will then again MAKE him reverse. I did this a while back UP the hill from the field. It took about 3 or 4 times of me making him reverse up the hill til he decided actually it was better of he walked forward.

IF they are not scared and doing something dangerous/unpredictable then i think you can try this with them. YOU make them reverse, YOU turn them round. If ot is getting to a stage where you've got a a traffic jam then you may have to get off and lead for a while then, using a gate or wall etc, get back on and continue on your ride.

If he's genuinely scared/lacking confidence though then getting another horse to hack out with would help. It's difficult to say what to do without knowing the horse but you will know whether he's being a bit of a monkey or genuinely unsure.

 

[LaurenM]

I had a few issues with mine - he would always nap to the right i.e. the middle of the road and took off with me. His was due to habit and lack of confidence. I've had him reschooled and pick him up today. It was worth the money as he seems to be so much happier and I have not had to knock my confidence to get him there.

For me, I didn't have the option of selling as he would have ended up in the wrong hands and would have been more dangerous. My yard mates were so fed up of his behaviour that they went to a dealers to have a look for a new horse for me. He was honestly that bad!

I found my trainer through word of mouth and seen the difference he achieved with another horse at my yard. She used to bunny hop and rear when mounted and wouldn't tie up. She's so well behaved now so I knew it was the right choice for me.

You could ask for recommendations at your yard or local tack shop.

Hope that helps to see that it is possible to get them out of the habits. Mine was 15 and the napping was so ingrained. His previous owner would take him home as soon as he napped

 

[ChestnutConvert]

Thanks for all the advice. It definately isn't spooking at an object as varies where it happens, his back etc are fine i am certain it is the one play up that was to be expected but then trying it on when we go out at other times.

I will def find out about someone in my area to help, but agree that it is me thats riding him and me he needs to listen to and respect.
Apart from spinning and reversing he also does that jog/trot off maybe a tiny bit of slow motion canter, never rears or bolts but is always at the back of your mind.

i also know it has to be dealt with and that it can be as literally a few weeks ago we had no problems and was enjoying our time out. will see what i can come up with and cross fingers!