Hacking help

[superpony]

So after being bucked off the naughty tb not especially happy! Especially as he dumped me in a very wet field (soft landing at least) but also quite muddy!

He does have a hacking issue, he can be very nappy but we seemed to have now worked through that now. The problem we have is on the way back when we have to turn round. I know i should do a full circle but theres no hacking around me where i can do that! And everytime we turn round he either runs backwards naping, or throws himself in the air. continuously! If I can stick on he will do this for about 5 mins or so until he settles.

So today he hacks out good as gold with his friend, on a loose rein pottering along, gets to where we have to come back, did a big semi circle thing so hoped he wouldn't realise we were turning round as such, as soon as he is facing back the way we came he explodes, throws himself in the air, lands, huge bucks, more leaping and more bucking = me out the sidedoor!
He then galloped off, jumped a hedge into another field and ran up and down the hedge squelling for his friend. Had to walk him as nowhere to get back on and he was too stressed anyway, then got a leg up from a lovely lady when we were nearly back and he didn't put a foot wrong back to the stables!!

Not sure how to work on it with him really, i've tried him alone/in company, someone walking with me. This is the first time hes got me properly off out hacking and he really meant it! Don't want it to get even worse. We don't hack much because everytime we try hes a nightmare on the way back bit, but the annoying bit is hes fine the rest of the time.

Hes not in pain, hes fine in the school, to handle and at competitions.

Just really thinking about not bothering hacking him out, i don't enjoy hacking anyway i just wanted to do it to give him a break from school work and i worry about him hurting himself if he throws me off again... as he tends to panic and just run.

Any advice?

 

[Tickles]

I'm guessing maybe this is a TB that was (trained to) race?

Sounds like he remembers very well that you walk/trot down the gallops, turn around and tear back home at speed!

Not sure what the best way of getting him out of this habit would be (Try turning for home after only a few yards? Going towards and away from home at 'random'? Schooling on the way out and on the way back?) but I'm sure there are other ex-racer-owners on here who will be able to help more.

My experience of them is using them with RDA kids so all i can say is that they can make lovely safe rides eventually!

 

[Ranyhyn]

I agree with Tickles.

I'd be doing it every day with him and really praising quiet behaviour and easier said than done, don't tense or hold him in too tight, both of those things will be triggers to him!

 

[pip6]

If he is safe at competitions, how about a few pleasure rides. Recommend the endurance ones as no jumps so less likely to get over excited. Usually circular routes, so no turning for home. If he gets more used to going out & not turning (& getting a little tired into the bargain no bad thing) may help change his ideas about going out.

On hacks at home I'd leave loads of time, go somewhere relatively safe & not too far from home, turn for home, as soon as reacts, turn away from home & walk on, as soon as settles, turn to home, when reacts, turn away etc until he gets thoroughly bored by it.

my mare when young used to get excited returning home (even if we went in circle she knew), & refused to walk. so we stood until she did so quietly (had rears, bucks, piaffe, sideways.....). Then she was allowed to walk on. As soon as started to trot we halted etc. Once took us over 2 hours to get home, had taken 20 mins to go out. She did, eventually get the message, my speed or no speed. Since that day, if she starts to play up I only have to do it a couple of times max & she desists & walks. No whips, spurs, beating up, getting frustrated, just sitting still until the stupid head (horse not me) wears off.

 

[scarymare]

Similar issue with my baby. I have to hack past horses which are in huge field and come galloping up bucking and set him off - also bucking. Mine is pretty laid back so I hack out with HUGE pockets of food and treats. When they start, I stop and commence feeding him from my pockets. Not sure if this would work but I think defo worth a try if he's 'stomach centred like all mine seem to be. As soon as they have relaxed then off you go again. Take loads the first few times as you might have to stop every couple of strides!

 

[superpony]

Tickles - yep he raced for a couple of years!

Thanks everyone, lots of really useful ideas to try, will give them all go. Will let you know how i get on!

Thanks for the help.