Hacking out alone - help please!!

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mrsdoubtfire

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I have a big 4 year old (16.3hh) who works at home brilliantly and hacks out with my other horse like an old pro! However, I have been trying to get her out on her own as I don't always have someone to ride with. She has been going so well recently that I decided that I would attempt a solo hack today, BIG mistake!!! She set off brilliantly and we went for about 1/2 mile then I thought that as she had been brill I wouldn't push it so would head back. Once I turned back she reared up and so I growled at her and pushed her on, She did a few steps and reared again, this happened about 5 times and I had to give up and walk her home- I know it was wrong to give in but I couldn't see any other option. She has recently had her teeth, back and saddle done so there is nothing wrong! Please can anyone suggest what I should do as I am desperate to know what to do. Thank you!
 
There is nothing wrong with getting off and leading for safety, if the horse then does what you want. I would say that your mistake was in turning round - always go on circular or lollipop shaped hacks.
 
First hack, don't think you should be too disheartened. Take a step back and try again .. maybe a friend on foot or on bike? Take the negativity out of it, you did good. Young horse, first solo hack .. well done to you both :D
Personally I don't get off, its how I've been 'programmed' but I feel much safer on top of a horse jumping about than I do standing 'under' a horse jumping about!
 
Pearlsasinger said:
There is nothing wrong with getting off and leading for safety, if the horse then does what you want. I would say that your mistake was in turning round - always go on circular or lollipop shaped hacks.
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But that's not always possible, particularly if you are taking a young horse out for a short run. It's not ideal I'll grant you, but I've had no problem doing it with youngsters the first 4 or 5 times, as long as it's not consecutive days.

OP, was there any warning before the rear (e.g. backing off from the forward movement) or did she just suddenly go up? If there is some warning then you can walk her in small circles as calmly as possible and then walk her out of them in the direction you want her to go in, and repeat if she starts backing off again. A confrontation at this stage in her development is not ideal so in my mind you did nothing wrong by getting off and leading her.
 
My tb does this - a few different reasons he has raced so is used to going in a string and he made months of a very dull route out hacking due to a tendon injury. He will always always spin left (he is a rear and spin specialist) so I used to try and keep him uptight to the fence hedge etc so I took out his escape route, he was better if I did a little in the school - literally ten min - walk/trot transitions to try and get him forward and listening, I did resort to draw reins at one point as he was going up so high (prob not the best thing for a baby but made me feel a lot safer ) and I just went down the line of firm but fair - represent in the same way,legs on and keep the patience of a saint - at the point you are about to give up is normally the point they are about to give in :) I know I am a bit of a different situation but keep with it :)
 
While I can't give you any advice as such, but I will try and give you hope :)

When I first started riding Ned, I tried to ride him in the school by himself (with horses in sight)...

...he reared, spooked, galloped down the school and almost jumped the fence.
One of the first times I rode him out, he reared so many times I lost count, ran around in the road (THANKFULLY it was quiet!) and it took me 10+mins to get him to even take a step forward.


Now I can take him anywhere :) (Or at least I could before he went lame! I really hope he remembers that he's a good boy and doesn't go back to square one!!) You WILL get there :)

Also - I agree, if you can take someone with you on foot - DO!
 
Don't be disheartened, I found with my youngster she was happy leading the group hacking out but for the first couple of solo hacks she would have a few tizzies but now that she knows the area better she is braver and hacks out alone without to many problems now.
 
Thank you so much for all the replies, I feel much happier now, perhaps there is light at the end of the tunnel!! DabDab, she stops and plants herself before rearing, so will try your circles next time - thank you!
 
I agree with Pearlsinger, I never ever turn around in on a hack and head home especially on a youngster, if I come to a dead end I may turn round and go back to a junction then go another way, I think turning round encourages napping.

but if you have to get off to keep/feel safe thats no problem, many times i have got off youngsters to take them over/past something scary-it gives the reassurance and confidence-just make sure you have taught them to standstill so you can get back on:)
 
Did you actually turn round? This will indicate to her that she is going home. Is it possible for you to do a ride where you don't turn round and cover the same ground?
 
I too am in a location where circular hacks are not possible (sadly), I find it helps to practice to stop and stand still on hacks (in company) and do the hack you want to on your own a lot in company first.

I have got off for safety when my big horse is being really silly = but I then walk him on the hack I wanted to do in the first place, even if that means a good hour on foot for me, if he calms right down I get back on but I think this helps him learn that even if I get off it doesn;t mean he's finished.
Same in the school - if I have to get off out comes the lunge line!!

These things can all be over come - good luck
 
I wouldn't get off personally unless my life depended upon it. Horse has to realise that she can trust you on her back to make great decisions, getting off may lead her to think that if she rears, you get off, work ends - though I daresay people who like to get off will disagree strenuously.

I would do three things.
1. Make sure she is properly off your leg in the school. The manners & discipline she learns here will become 2nd nature and you need to a avoid her learning that she can ignore your leg. While you are at it in the school do some in hand ground work to build her confidence, use tarpaulin and scary stuff to get her to take your word that she needn't be afraid of anything.
2. Go on circular fun hacks with others, and as much as possible have your girl in front. Don't force the issue, just let her nose naturally creep ahead. In a couple of months start doing short circular walks alone with her, ones that she is used to.
3. If she plants, do nothing. Don't stress or fight. Just sit her out, even if it takes a couple of hours.
 
Thank you all, there is some really great stuff for us to try next time! Unfortunately I had to turn round to come back home as otherwise we would have had to go out on the road and I wasn't prepared to try that on a first go!! Normally when hacking in company she is more than happy to go off in front and will go quite a distance ahead of anyone else. She very rarely shies at anything and is really bold and easy to ride in company. I guess we will just have to persevere (?) with the solo thing. Thank you again for the great suggestions!
 
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