Hacking out problems

[alicem1707]

I have recently started a part loan with a friend and we took the horse out for a hack this morning. As soon as we reached the bridleway (about 20mins on the road before we get there) she refused to stand and kept attempting to turn and head back home. She was rushing so much we gave up and took her back. As soon as we turned for home she began trotting and only pulled up when I ran up (my friend was riding) and grabbed her head collar (a few yards from a busy road). I had to walk at her head for a while back until she calmed down and walked at a relatively steady pace. Could this be linked to the fact that she was new to this area (only been here about 2 months) and the new bridleway just freaked her out? Or was she simply just trying it on with a new rider? I did notice when we got back the saddle had slipped back slightly but I didn't think this was major enough for her to act like she did. We were told she hacks fine by herself by the owner and we have taken her on much smaller hacks before this and she has been fine (has rushed a little on the way back but can easily be slowed normally). Ideas on what caused this/what we can do to sort it? My only idea was to do more school work with her so she gets used to us and respects us a bit more before hacking again.

 

[Cocorules]

It sounds as though she is still getting used to things. I suggest you hack her out in company and try to always go on circular routes. She will gradually build her confidence that way. Try having some lessons too the more you can get her listening and the more you do with her the better.

 

[AngieandBen]

Get all the usual checks done, saddle/back/teeth. Most ponies will pick up the pace on the way back. My daughters pony used to jog all the time......I used to turn him round and go back then turn around and repeat until he stopped jogging. Sometimes it took us an hour to do half a mile, but he stopped doing it!

 

[SillyMares]

My horse always gets angry when she finds out that she's going the longer hack rather than a shorter one, horses are fast learners and they'll soon get used to the different paths, but this does sound like she might just be getting used to things. As said before, maybe you could try hacking out with another horse