Hacking out on the bit?

[kit279]

Have been reschooling an ex-polo pony to accept a contact and work from behind and on the bit. She's doing very well in the school and definitely finds it easier on a circle when I can ask for a bit of bend. She has almost no top line (in the time honoured tradition of polo ponies) and I'd like to work her on the bit out hacking to build some muscle but she gets very uptight about it, pokes her nose in the air and objects strongly. Our hacking is in straight lines and there's not a lot of room to turn, definitely can't do any circles. I usually slap my leg on and try to bend and flex slightly from side to side but not having any joy with this little lady! Any advice?

Do you all hack on the bit? I did wonder whether I should just let her do what she wants out hacking so it doesn't become a big issue and make her sour..

 

[JSL]

TBH, right now I wouldn't ask too much of her out hacking - especially as she is beginning to work nicely for periods in the school.

I'd let her enjoy hacking for what it is right now (a physical and mental break from schooling) to prevent her becoming stale and as she begins to find it easier to work correctly in the school, then you can begin to ask for more out hacking.

 

[dianchi]

I mix it up, going out i can normally do some flexing work and then on the way back i let her happily mooch back

 

[bhpride]

I'd be interested in the answers as I tried but my horse gets to nervous under pressure - very alert for danger shall we say lol works better in a set area only but suppose it depends on the individual horse.

 

[peanut]

I frequently put in a bit of schooling in this way whilst out hacking as it keeps my cheeky horse listening and reminds her who's boss. But my horse is fit and as bhpride says, it depends on the individual horse.

 

[hellspells]

I have a dressage horse now that simpley does not hack on the bit, she'll do anything to avoid it! Obviously no problems to schoold etc.

My TB I had to do everything with her accepting the bridle, purely becuase let her not once she'd be a nightmare for a few days after. She had no topline and a ridiculous amount of muscle counteracting acting underneath her neck. To start it was more working her long and low rather than the traditional image of 'on the bit'. I gradually increased what she wa asked to do out hacking as she built up. I have to admit as she got fitter I did use draw reins.

 

[H-J]

I 9/10 work them round as they spend 23 hrs a day not being worked and being horses so for an hour a day they can work!! I think hacking is perfect for them to work correctly without them realising it, I also introduce leg yield etc to youngsters hacking b4 in the school.
I do every now and then mooch on a long rein!

 

[Weezy]

I mix it up - at different points I will do different things - always start nice and relaxed, try to get them working through but long and low, then start picking them up a bit into trot. Walk on long rein before picking up for canter work. If I am not strict with myself I find it way too easy to mooch around the whole time!

 

[sammiea]

My 5yo has come back from loan home VERY unevenly musculed so all i'm a doing is hacking as want to concentrate on stright lines to help him even up again. However i do let him have a few strides if i feel hes tired or needs it.
He only goes in the school atm for short lunging session once a week

 

[Coffee_Bean]

I do a bit of both, I leg yield from side to side on the paths, do lots of transitions and depending on the ground and on my mood, I will either do a collected (ish) canter in an outline, or I'll let her canter at her own pace, or I'll kick her on and have a good gallop. Makes hacking more interesting when you do a bit of everything.