Hacking problems, don't know what to do

K

KalaJ

Well-Known Member
Joined
3 March 2013
Messages
67
Visit site
Due to our school being under water and fields being a sloppy, muddy, dangerous mess I have had to start taking my mare out on the roads. I had tried last year but due to not even being able to get her out of the gates without company we have not done much hacking. I have tried leading her out in hand, going out in company, going out with someone walking beside her, going out on own with my brave pants on ;) but we just get to a certain point and she just turns for home.....i'm not joking we dont even get half a mile from yard!

Sometimes I am able to make her go forwards but most of the time I just cannot turn her back, last week I got really firm with her, resorted to kicking her on and a tap of the whip but she backed up and nearly went into a truck.

I really want to be able to hack out, I don't compete or show so this is what I bought her for.

Any suggestions? One other thing, when I first got her she came with a bridle with a pelham, I changed it down to a french link snaffle as did not think she needed it and she has been going really well in (schooling) but thinking maybe for hacking I should swap it back to the pelham as I have no steering and she can be strong on the way home?
 
Swop for the Pelham for a start off.

It's a shame that young horses are not hacked out more as part of their education, but there, you have her now so that's what you have to focus on, that and staying safe.

Is there anyone around that can help you with her? I say this because there are no hard fast rules as every horse is different and it would be a good idea to have someone else evaluate her, someone not so involved with her. If you can afford it, get someone proffessional whose dealt with other horses like her before.

If you want to deal with her yourself then you'll need to get your brave pants on and take no nonsense from her.

There are lots of things you could try and I'm sure there be a few others following this thread with intrest and with first hand knowledge that can help. Good luck and keep safe.
 
How experienced a rider are you? If you aren't able to ride her forwards yourself, maybe get a strong, experienced rider to hack her a couple of times.
When she 'turns round' just don't let her. Use your hands and legs backed up by whip if necessary to keep her facing the way you want to go. Then drive on strongly. If this fails and she stands up,or runs backwards to evade you, turn her in small circles, always going forward, and then drive on.
I don't think the bit will make a difference,its her mindset you need to change. If shes been getting away with doing this, and you've allowed her to go home when shes turned, you might have a hard job to persuade her you mean business.Someone behind with a lunge whip (or you using spurs) might persuade her to get on with the job. I am assuming she moves forward from your leg in the school and isn't just green.
 
I would change back the bit to what she had when she arrived and then it is going to be down to persistence and hacking her out each and every day so as to get it established in your horse. Obviously the safest way of achieving this would be to find a nice yard which has direct access to off road riding were you can get you and your horse going.
 
She isn't young....she is 16 but very low mileage, she was driven for a while before I got her so I know she is not "scared" of being out, just very very stubborn. I do have more experienced people at the yard and they have been out with me both walking and riding alongside but, due to time, no one else has got on her....I might ask at the weekend.

I'm not the most experienced rider, learned to ride as a child but only been riding for a year as an adult. I think, initially, I was scared to take her out as have to go down a fairly busy road to access any off road hacking so she may have picked up on this. She used to try it on with me in the school and around the fields too but now I am more confident I don't feel scared to push her on when she plays up.

I have had a few lessons from an instructor but we have been concentrating more on schooling, I might ask her if she is prepared to ride her on the road for me to see whether it's just me she plays up with. She did recommend that I wore spurs for schooling as she can sometimes be a little lazy but this seems to have fizzled out now....if anything she is too forward going now.
 
I had a similar problem and the one thing I found that really worked was infinite patience! The more I fought and tried to force him to go forward the worse he got, which isn't great on a busy road, so I would make sure he was facing the right way at all times and just wait, with a bit of a gentle(ish) niggle every so often. He soon learnt that he either went forward or he stood still, but there was only one way he was moving from that spot and it was the way I wanted to go. To begin with I'd make him take 10 more steps and then give him a big pat and turn round to go home, then increased it gradually. The first few times it took nearly an hour for him to move so don't try on a day when you've got time constraints!
We now hack alone frequently and only ever have a moment at one spot where there's a short cut home now and again. I just go back to the old routine and we're on our way again within a minute or so.

I'd change the bit to give you some more confidence more than anything.
 
I certainly wouldn't put the Pelham back on- no point in having a strong bit if your horse wont go forward, and itd be more difficult to keep her straight with 2 pairs of reins and a whip to manouvre . And a Pelham with roundings make steering and therefore keeping her straight more difficult. If you want to change bit, I would go for a T-bar snaffle or a D-ring so the bit doesn't pull sideways through her mouth
 
annagain said:
I had a similar problem and the one thing I found that really worked was infinite patience! The more I fought and tried to force him to go forward the worse he got, which isn't great on a busy road, so I would make sure he was facing the right way at all times and just wait, with a bit of a gentle(ish) niggle every so often. He soon learnt that he either went forward or he stood still, but there was only one way he was moving from that spot and it was the way I wanted to go. To begin with I'd make him take 10 more steps and then give him a big pat and turn round to go home, then increased it gradually. The first few times it took nearly an hour for him to move so don't try on a day when you've got time constraints!
We now hack alone frequently and only ever have a moment at one spot where there's a short cut home now and again. I just go back to the old routine and we're on our way again within a minute or so.

I'd change the bit to give you some more confidence more than anything.
Click to expand...

This is very similar to the experience I had with my champion planter. I took it step by step, literally. I would always have a route in mind and we could complete this even if it meant me dismounting and leading in hand for a while before remounting. With time - and patience - we overcame this and now we hack just about anywhere. He still argues, in fact he always argues when we first set out (if we`re on our own) but then he just agrees and we settle into our pace. I never have to dismount now. All our hacking is on the roads and the traffic ranges from quarry lorries, buses and cement mixers to cars and cyclists.

With my boy it was very much a battle of wills. He wasn`t scared, just obstinate. He had been very highly schooled and he knew I hadn`t. Furthermore, he knew my lack of confidence and played upon it. However, I was utterly determined (mostly!) and through perseverence now have a horse who I love to bits and who is trustworthy and dependable - and still stubborn - even at 19yrs of age (him, not me!).

Good luck and keep going; it`ll come reet!
 
Hack out with spurs and as you feel him wanting to turn back gently push him forwards. I have had this problem before too I often carry a schooling whip and give him a tickle on him hind legs to get him to think about moving forwards. How is he if you box him up and hack him in say a forest park or somewhere he is less familiar with? Is he always trying to get back to the horse box or happy to keep moving forwards?
 
mhorses said:
Hack out with spurs and as you feel him wanting to turn back gently push him forwards. I have had this problem before too I often carry a schooling whip and give him a tickle on him hind legs to get him to think about moving forwards. How is he if you box him up and hack him in say a forest park or somewhere he is less familiar with? Is he always trying to get back to the horse box or happy to keep moving forwards?
Click to expand...

We've never been further then the village and back, I think she would have a coronary if I took her somewhere, that's if I could load her in the first place.

I think from the advice given I've just got to perservere, maybe carry a schooling whip and/or use spurs and just stop being a wimp and get on with it.
 
stormox said:
I certainly wouldn't put the Pelham back on- no point in having a strong bit if your horse wont go forward, and itd be more difficult to keep her straight with 2 pairs of reins and a whip to manouvre . And a Pelham with roundings make steering and therefore keeping her straight more difficult. If you want to change bit, I would go for a T-bar snaffle or a D-ring so the bit doesn't pull sideways through her mouth
Click to expand...

That's really interesting, thanks. I had always thought that it would help with steering, not hinder it. Will see if I can borrown a t-bar or d-ring and see if its makes a difference.
 
Try 'unsticking' her, works for my stroppy opinionated 4 year old. Gently apply pressure on each rein alternately with a bit of leg so she's kind of stepping from side to side. She should get bored and want to go forward.
 
Last edited:
It is a solvable issue but you have to put in time and be patient. Use the pelham for hacking because it gives you brakes and the cheek pieces help with steering.

You were doing the right thing leading her out and I would do much more of that. Every day if you can, even if it is just for 20 minutes. Talk to her about your day etc. You may need to do this for some weeks.

When you get to a point where you feel that she is relaxed with this then get on a couple of hundred yards from home and ride her home.

Keep doing this and gradually increase the distance that you ride home. The day will come when you can ride her out and you will return beaming.

Then start on different routes.

This is what I did with a horse I bought as a "does not hack alone". After a year or so he turned into the best horse to hack alone that I have ever known of. We used to explore for miles around.

Good luck and slowly does it.
 
Does she turn around and head for home even when out in company?

Reason I ask is generally horses will follow the bum in front, so if the bum in front keeps going in one direction she should theoretically follow suit.

Also, you are going to have to be a bit firmer with her I'm afraid - she knows she can get away with it and uses that to her advantage. If my horse tried to turn round even once she would get a good old pony club kick, and if she still refused I would use my stick. If you have only just tried giving her a tap after multiple times of her doing this then she has learnt you are a soft touch hence why she repeatedly does it.

Ok so she might buck, kick out, spin round, back up (generally be stupid) and yes its not great to do that on a road, but you need to ride through it. Mine got scared of a noisy cow in a field a few weeks ago and started reversing rapidly, not helped by the fact a car was very close behind us - they nearly had a horse on their bonnet! Was it unsafe? Yes. Did I let her turn round? Hell no. I kicked, I gave her a strong tap with my whip down the shoulder which then resulted in some canter pirouettes in the middle of the road. I kept my leg on until she moved forward (helped by the fact our hacking buddy was in front and off down the lane without her!). She had to go where I told her to, despite her bad behaviour.

If you are not confident enough to sit through bucks, spinning, backing up etc then get someone experienced to ride her for you a few times - see how they handle it and learn from them.

I know its not ideal when there is traffic behind you and you are on the roads, but horses learn this kind of behaviour through their riders letting them. It doesnt look pretty having to kick on and use your whip - but normally it only takes one big 'push' from you to teach them that they cant do that. Safe to say my mare has not done that again and she knows regardless of how silly she is being I will keep her moving forwards. Same for my hacking buddy - her horse is normally bomb proof but one day decided to be afraid of nothing and would not go forwards. Cue a lot of kicking, growling at him etc and eventually he relented and moved forward.

If you find it easier build up to riding out alone with her - so lead her in hand a few times and dont let her stop. Then get on board and hack out in company, again being firm and no stopping until you decide its time to go home. Finally try it out alone but only when you are comfortable that she hasnt done this silly behaviour for a while.
 
What is she like to hack out in the fields? Does she behave on her own? What does she do if you go a new route? Mine was nappy when a youngster and naughty, he would rear to get his way. I got someone I trusted to hack out with me (an instructor) and give me a "lesson" on the hack. Then when I was confident, I started doing a short route on my own. To start with my horse would stop, nap, rear, etc. but after the yard owner followed me round, cracking a lunge whip whenever he tried to stop, he got much better!! (He would ignore whips in general, even lunge whips!!). Having her there giving me confidence and telling me what to do helped too.
He is great now 99% of the time, about once a year he tries it on but a quick kick and smack and not letting him turn away from the direction I want to go solves the problem in less than 5 minutes!! I always wear a back protector too.

I would be careful on the roads though, horses can easily slip if twitting about, I saw a friend have a nasty fall on tarmac after the horse napped and she tried to get after it.

I think better to find some "new" experiences off the road, learn how to deal with them, get your horse's confidence and then hack regularly with a friend.

Always be the front rider when hacking with friends, and see if your horse will go a few lengths away from your friend's horse too.
 
My suggestion is a bit different. I would ride away and turn back towards home BEFORE she tries to nap. As you get back to her base turn again and ride away again, go a little further and turn for home again. Before you get back to her stable turn and ride out again. Repeat repeat repeat!!! You will find you can go a little further each time......
 
The best way to deal with a nappy pony is to not get stressed about it. I had a few problems with my mare to start with, so I would just think if the following sketch and laugh instead. Relaxed me, and then the horse did as I asked.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWd_r2sOPhs

Also useful viewing if you have a horse that is hard to catch!
 
Last edited:
Spring Feather said:
Invest in a trainer to come and help *you* solve your problem. It is not a difficult issue to solve.
Click to expand...

I think this is what I was afraid of, my nervousness and inexperience in dealing with a difficult situation.

I have arranged for my instructor to come and help on Saturday....fingers crossed she can help me.
 
SazzyB said:
What is she like to hack out in the fields? Does she behave on her own? What does she do if you go a new route? Mine was nappy when a youngster and naughty, he would rear to get his way. I got someone I trusted to hack out with me (an instructor) and give me a "lesson" on the hack. Then when I was confident, I started doing a short route on my own. To start with my horse would stop, nap, rear, etc. but after the yard owner followed me round, cracking a lunge whip whenever he tried to stop, he got much better!! (He would ignore whips in general, even lunge whips!!). Having her there giving me confidence and telling me what to do helped too.
He is great now 99% of the time, about once a year he tries it on but a quick kick and smack and not letting him turn away from the direction I want to go solves the problem in less than 5 minutes!! I always wear a back protector too.

I would be careful on the roads though, horses can easily slip if twitting about, I saw a friend have a nasty fall on tarmac after the horse napped and she tried to get after it.

I think better to find some "new" experiences off the road, learn how to deal with them, get your horse's confidence and then hack regularly with a friend.

Always be the front rider when hacking with friends, and see if your horse will go a few lengths away from your friend's horse too.
Click to expand...

She used to be exactly the same in the fields, napping, planting and spinning but I overcame this through just pushing her forwards all the time, it seemed less scary in the fields, with people around and a soft landing! She won't go in front, at the weekend three of us went out, one friend in front, me on the inside and another friend on the outside, she was fine until my friends horse decided to spook at nothing, then it all went t**s up......bloomin horses!
 
HI, just thought I would come back and update everyone.....

So my instructor came out on a hack with me on Saturday, me riding and her walking behind, as usual S started to turn and spin at her usual spot so she saw first hand what the problem was and yes....you were right it's me and not S....although she was being a bit naughty.

So, I've got to be more purposeful when I go out and she has suggested warming up first and then going out at a trot as this seems to be the trick....if I can get get into trot! We did a few laps with my instructor leading/following and then on the last lap I got all the way round at a trot with no stopping/spinning/napping.

My legs still ache 3 days later but I feel a lot more confident that if I ask her to go forward and persist when she doesnt that she isn't going to do anything nasty.

I don't think she knew what hit her on Saturday and I don't know who was more exhauseted me or her!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top