hacking out alone, how long did it take you to pluck up the courage.

Well... for me it didn't take long. As soon as I got my share a year ago, i was out and about, alone.

BUT - I was naive, and didn't take into account the monster bins, random sideway jumps, ears and neck up and the jogging around (not to mention loose shetland ponies). I totally underestimated this and there was a time shortly after I felt i wasn't right for him. But I persevered with him.

So, I am actually more nervous now than I was when I started out with him (or should I say, more AWARE, than actually nervous). I think thats due to reading some of our stories on H&H though! Its def made me consious aware of the potential for things to go wrong.

I make sure that I am never fiddling, that I am calm and relaxed, aware of surroundings and ensure a good contact on the reigns.

I try not to put myself in amongst trouble. So in high winds, I'll ride out with others. Or if he's a bit more jumpy or spooky/exciteable than usual I won't ride too far away and will generally stick to bridle baths and byways rather than open areas of grass.

Good luck - once you get more confident there will be no stopping you!
 
EAST KENT said:
I canot quite believe what I am reading here! Perhaps you all would be better on rocking horses ..indoors so nothing scarey there either. Quite agree Polldark..goodness what you lot are missing out on. Riding out,spotting wildlife ,chatting to your horse..get real and enjoy yourselves.
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Thats exactly why we are fighting our nerves because we know we are missing out on so much pleasure. I asume you have never had a confidence issue and i am pleased for you and envious, I hope you never experiance one because it's not pleasant.
 
I have had several crises of confidence while riding. Having ridden and had my own ponies as a child, I had a big horse-free gap. I was fine when I went back, but have had times out of the blue of 'I can't do that'--sometimes in the middle of a riding session--I can remember half way through a jumping lesson--having jumped everything with no problem, and suddenly wanting to cry and not be able to carry on.:o

I have been lucky in that my boy has always been brilliant to hack and I have always felt comfortable going out on my own, or helping others out with their problem horses. And then this winter my boy had a huge problem with an ulcerated eye, and a lot of very unpleasant treatment. After, he wouldn't tie up as he panicked and pulled back and he started stopping on hacks, looking at nothing, snorting and acting like I was asking him to do the impossible, even on routes we had done millions of times.
He will just stop and sometimes reverse, no running off thankfully. So I just get off and lead him a bit and find a gate and climb back on board (I do wish he was smaller or I was more supple!!). I have accepted that he is like that, and that we can just carry on. Sometimes he stops 4 times, sometimes not at all. I've stopped getting het up about it, sometimes I walk more than others!

I guess I'm just saying, don't beat yourself up. Find a happy medium, go out on foot, take someone walking/cycling with you, enjoy yourself, and if you just get to the end of the road the first time, that's ok. Don't measure yourself by what other people do and say.
 
sue12345 said:
Thats exactly why we are fighting our nerves because we know we are missing out on so much pleasure. I asume you have never had a confidence issue and i am pleased for you and envious, I hope you never experiance one because it's not pleasant.
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On the contrary..did lose all confidence at one point.Would not dream of just getting on anything as I once did,and made perfectly sure my own horse is dependable,a friend.Point is..just don`t dither..do it. One lady ,who obviously was very unconfident ,rode my paragon ..who even rumbled her.Now my mare is a confidence giver ,but her total lack of it spooked even my mare.
Absolutely love my own and my horses company,looking through those ears and seeing the world in her eyes ,chill out and just do it,ignore that sick tight feeling in your stomach,it`ll be ok and you`ll be chuffed to bits.
Don`t think about what doom and gloom could happen..you cross roads daily and don`t get squashed..focus on where you both are going and what you might see.NEVER turn back on yourself to go home,always a circuit.:D
 
sue12345 said:
Thats exactly why we are fighting our nerves because we know we are missing out on so much pleasure. I asume you have never had a confidence issue and i am pleased for you and envious, I hope you never experiance one because it's not pleasant.
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EVERYONE at some point, or more than one point, gets that sick feeling in the pit of the stomach but you have a choice. Do you let that gut reaction rule youre life or do you stiffen your spine & get on with it. I had 6 months of concussion after my horse fell x country,(just one mishap in an eventful life) do you think I was keen to have another go ? I knew that if I didn't bite the bullet asap then the demons would loom larger. Just get on & do, you will then wonder what all the fuss was about & the pride & kick you will get is an amazing reward. Don't waste your life, it's not a trial run.
 
I haven't read all the replies so sorry if this has already been suggested, could somebody go out with you either on foot or on a bike?
Or take your horse for a walk in hand a few times to see how you get on, I did this with new horse who got bitten on the back so I couldn't ride her. It was surprisingly enjoyable, I used to go for a run with a horse & 2 dogs, she seemed to like being honourary dog.
The other option is to force yourself out, I had some teething problems with my tb which knocked my confidence badly, I found taking her out really frightening & started to dread it but I forced myself to do it.
I was too stubborn to give in to the fear & was determined to work through it; it was hard & I didn't enjoy riding her for several weeks but we've come out the other side & we're happily hacking out alone now.
Good luck, I hope you can work through it - fear really is a horrible emotion.
 
turkana said:
I haven't read all the replies so sorry if this has already been suggested, could somebody go out with you either on foot or on a bike?
Or take your horse for a walk in hand a few times to see how you get on, I did this with new horse who got bitten on the back so I couldn't ride her. It was surprisingly enjoyable, I used to go for a run with a horse & 2 dogs, she seemed to like being honourary dog.
The other option is to force yourself out, I had some teething problems with my tb which knocked my confidence badly, I found taking her out really frightening & started to dread it but I forced myself to do it.
I was too stubborn to give in to the fear & was determined to work through it; it was hard & I didn't enjoy riding her for several weeks but we've come out the other side & we're happily hacking out alone now.
Good luck, I hope you can work through it - fear really is a horrible emotion.
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You had to force yourself but you did it, good for you. Sincerely, well done.
 
I think this thread shows how different we all are in terms of our confidence. I have friends who will jump straight back on and not get remotely nervous. For others it will play on our minds and frighten us.

OP in my experience you will only truely enjoy hacking once you re confident and not panicking the whole way. This for many cones from building up experience. I would do as many have suggested and take a friend with you, someone horsey perhaps who can encourage you and even support you if your horse gets excited or spots something. Then venture down the drive and back and make it longer everytime. If a knew hack route to you why not hack it with a saint of a horse so you have company and then the next day do it again. You will know hopefully if there is anything scary so can adapt the route accordingly. I totally empathise with you and wish you the best of luck :)
 
This post has encouraged me to join after lurking for a while.

Up until last autumn I was as confident as you can be - had been riding for years, would ride anything, happy as larry. I'd had plenty of falls/scrapes and scary experiences but nothing shook me, I could stay calm no matter what was going on.

Then I had a fall on the road, I didn't actually injure myself apart from a few bruises, the 3yr old I was on behaved very well, and I even got straight back on because I knew that's what I'd have to do to combat getting 'the fear'. All was fine.

But something changed, because since then I have only had the courage to sit on a horse once since, and 'ride' for about 2mins one other time. I'm happy working with them on the ground, I have three youngsters and have done everything you can bar actually riding them. I WANT to ride...but I'm always making little excuses.

so that's 9months and today I really want to go out but...just can't bring myself to do it :( It's gutting. I'm very ashamed of myself. I live to ride - what's going on?
 
Hi

I hacked out alone the second day after I bought my pony. Went very pear shaped as pony napped then threw himself across the road when we met a very scarey bus stop and a car avoided us by inches! The yard i was on was full of not very helpful people so my husband came out on foot to give us courage some times, other wise I just persisted.

My heart was always in my mouth though as I lived and kept the pony in a failry built up area in Birmingham. However I did end up going from a rider who had never hacked or ridden alone before buying pony to getting bronze buckle, silver stirrup and then becoming an advanced endurance rider with the same pony!

My advice is to just keep hacking out until both you and your horse feel happy about it, and if you can get some one to go with you on foot at first to give you confidence.

If all else fails move your horse to a quiet area if practical. I have moved back up north and now keep my pony 10 mins from the Pennine Brdile way so hacking is ulta safe.

Good luck with your hacking.
 
Angelz said:
My tips would be: walk him out in hand and plan the route you are going to take. Rescue remedy really does work! :-) Get on, set yourself a place a short distance into your hack and tell yourself U are going to get off there and walk him the rest of the way! Don't feel silly getting off if U feel unsure :-)
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Hmmmm at the risk of being hung drawn and quartered! I would never walk a horse out on his own if he was new or had not done that route before. Handling a frightened horse from the ground imo is far harder and not as safe as being aboard. If you consider doing this, I would go with a another horse first so he/she can take confidence (if needed from that horse) as clearly you may be anxious.

It is rather a sad state to be in when one is anxious of hacking alone for what ever reason, but I can understand lack of confidence and how difficult it is to overcome. I think if you know your horse is a safe non spooky hacker, then just keep telling yourself that. Lots of good advice from other members, with talking one step at a time and going a bit further each ride. If you can find a walker or someone to ride a bike along side you, this will do you the world of good. Only you know how safe and spooky or non spooky your horse is. So if he is a chilled laid back sort, your half way there.

You could also try introducing some small scary things to him when he is in the field. When I was younger I would spooky proof my horses in there own field and around the yard area and then deliberately place these scary things along the route I was going to hack. Not all at once of course.

I hope this helps, remember, if you are anxious your horse will pick up from you, try humming a tune when you ride and to begin with ride in good calm weather until your confidence grows. When you finally hack alone, remember to leave your route and an estimated arrival home time.

Good luck
 
Thank you all for your posts, it,s been very encouraging to read them. I have posted an update for you all saying that i just went and dd it. I lived to tell the tale. thank you.
 
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