Hacking out alone. Help me break this!!!

L

lensmith7

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No not break my horse. We've played that game far too much already this year ta v much
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When I got little Miss J 4 years ago (next week) I was scared, really scared, she was my last chance, or I'd have given up. Well I'm still here, and we're loving it more and more each day.

However, being scared, and petrified of hacking, we only ever went out in company. Usually at the back, me in a quivering ball, friends shouting sit up, heels down, relax you numpty. Josie happily walking along, not realsing she was carrying a great shivering jelly fish!

But, she now wont hack out alone! She is perfect in company, maybe a little reluctant to go infront straight off the yard, but once, we're up the lane, she'll happily lead. When I say perfect I mean, hacking through the main town centre standing outside Sainsburys admiring the view perfect. My angel!

I think the time has come, we attempted the hacking alone. We've done lots of walking in hand recently, so she's used to being out with just me on the floor, no other horses.

Whats the next step? How do I keep myself calm?

Would it be bad to lead her to the top of the lane, it is scary, then get on? I say it's scary, because she also shakes all the way back down towards home, so it's not typical napping.
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She doesn't rear or buck, she tends to plant, spin, go backwards, or snatch the reins and power trot anywhere but forward. I also have the added problem of not wanting to make her explode, for fear of her hurting that leg again. We're 6 months after surgery now, but I'm very conscious of it.

I just think with all the stress we've got going on at the yard, rather than finding someone else to ride with it would be so nice to tack up and go out to escape, and come back when I can be bothered.
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Wow sorry it's turned out so long, hmm, I have shortbread and hot choccie here for all that got this far x
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i play music on my phone when i go out hacking my boys only young so it helps me take my mind of things like is he going to spook when we go round the next corner it makes you look silly when you pass other people but i find it works
as a next step you could try long reining her or riding her a five minute walk away from the yard and then taking her back or something along they lines just to help build your confidence up
i know how easy it is to rely on hacking out with other people then going for it by yourself i done that when i broke my lad in maybe not the best but he needed some company hope this helps
 
the best way to get over this is take it at your own pace. if you feel its the right thing to do to lead her up the lane and get on then do that. Do you have anyone that oculd walk with you? just in case then they could get hold and encourage her forward if she plants?
i did this with my 4yo. She would rear, buck and spin and have you off within seconds. i was only 16 when i got her and mum didnt dare leave me to hack on my own because she was as bad as that, she walked with me till she realised she was calming down. shed let me go off and turn round to come back to meet her, till we were ok to go out on our own.
ive also done it with my big WB mare. although shes not scared of going out on her own she wouldnt walk through anything that was damp or a puddle. in the end i backed her through it and she got over her problem.

take it at your own pace. dont rush. if she stops and refuses to go forward (as long as its safe) just let her stop for a moment and sush out that shes not in danger. then ask her to go forward again. if she wont then get off and lead her then get back on.

maybe take some rescue remedy befor eyou get her out to relax you?
 
Yep I have someone raring and ready to walk with me. The ex OH of all people!!! He's been walking J round to my house all week, and is very proud that she'll now leave the yard by his side too. She was planting, but he kept very calm (was prob better than me) and she just carried on in her own time.

I guess this is why I think it's the right time to start out on our own? These past 6 months, she's grown up and learnt to trust more too, and my confidence has trebbled!!! lol
 
hes obviously got the patience and the correct attitude with J so fingers crossed hell be the same with you on her.
just talking to him about the weather or the shopping will take your mind of whats actually happening.
dont have a time restraint, dont rush or feeel pressurised by anything or anyone.
 
I think it would be fine to lead her up the scary lane, if she'll stand for you to get on when you want to. Is there someone who would go on foot with you? It might make her feel less 'alone' and be someone (apart from the horse) for you to talk to, and make you both feel braver!
She sounds like a lovely horse, apart from this hang-up - keep trying!
 
I would definitely get someone to walk with you on foot. Then all you need to do is trust her a little more!
Good luck.
 
Could you arrange to meet a hacking friend about 5 or 10 minutes from your yard? So they would ride out before you and then wait for you and you finish the hack together. Might give you and your horse a bit more confidence if you do it a few times

Or is there a confident person who could hack out your horse out a few times to get the horse a bit more used to going out alone before you try again?
 
In all honesty I think the best thing to do is to just get on and do it! You know your horse well enough now. She quite possible reacts as she senses you're nervousness so, what you need to do is pre-plan where you are going and think confidence!!!

Sing to yourself, whatever it takes. Each to their own. I have always hacked since a kid and any and every new horse I have ever had I have expected them to hack alone and they did. It never even ever crossed my mind that a horse wouldn't hack a lone and i think you need t sort of tell yourself this. Expect the horse to do what you want and they will. Ride relaxed and confident and the horse will pick up your confident vibe. What's the worst that could happen? If she refuses to go somewhere then ride strongly forwards DO NOT get mad/upset though. if she gets stressed and won't go then I would get off and lead her and talk to her. Keep calm that's the main thing. when she's happy again get back on and continue.

The main thing is to do the ride you have decided to do and don't give in even if she does put up a fight. This is what you want to do so she will do as you want! Go out there and enjoy your horse!!
 
Thanks for all your suggestions. I do feel confident enough on her now, I've had her for 4 years!! However, I guess only about 18 months of that she's been in propper work, what with the unexpected baby, and the PSD etc.

I shall plan what I want to do, maybe after half term though, so I have all day and dont have to rush back for the littlies.

Thankies x
 
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