Hacking with Confidence!

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samleigh

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I have recently (5Wks) had a new horse on loan, I would describe myself as a determined & capable older rider. The horse is 11 yrs old and has had barely any ridden work in 5yrs since his owner had a fall and lost her confidence. He's worked wonderfully in the school, showing to be willing and a quick learner, the problem is hacking he is scared of his own shadow, I have been assured by all that know him that he was a wonderful hack and suitable for novices when his owner bought him.
I have cut his feed down to just a couple of handful of No4, (he was getting nrly 1/2 a bucket of feed a day) he lives out and is a good chunky build.
Is it going to be a case of trust has anyone else been in the same situation and have any tips? I won't lie I am a little nervous of hacking him out tho less nervous once I'm on top and having to deal with his spookiness.
 
I'm hopeless hacking alone - no confidence at all - but i do smile when the girl who does a bit of jumping in the school and out at comps etc , takes him off for a 2hr hack on his own and is perfectly cool on return , can you ride out with someone else or better still get someone to walk with you , even teaming up with a friendly dog walker would be good , does your nerves no end of good which in turn will make your boy much more chilled...good luck..
 
just adding to first post , just do small steps first i.e out to a certain place and back or a small " round the block " by doing bite-sized bits you'll be able to build your confidence better.
 
How is he if you lead him in hand? Do you have someone on a sensible horse who might be able to act as nanny? He might just really lack confidence and until he feels better about it prob needs to look to you to lead more. Perhaps start with leading, then see if there is someone you can do a short hack with, then ride him on the same short hack - just little things to build his confidence should really help, esp if he has done v little the last few years, might just be the same as taking a nervous baby hacking for the first few times.
 
When I got my lad he was one big bag of nerves, and when things got too much (and he frequently decided this) he'd bolt, and I mean bolt, not just run off a bit. That got my nerves jangling I can tell you.

What fixed both me and him was riding every stride, making him work correctly and basically just keeping on top of him and keeping his little brain occupied, that way he just didn't have time to cast about for something to panic about.

To calm my nerves I would frequently pick a point, a blade of grass, bit of mud, anything, a few metres in front of us and concentrate on riding him confidently forward to it. Repeat * 1 million and you have yourself quite a decent hack! :D

Worked for us, he soon realised the biggest monster out and about was the one on his back! And he relaxed and now he's a super hack.
 
Keep it simple and make it as easy as possible. He is in a new home, he has had to get to know new horses and start working again, so big changes for him. Basically, hacking wise, he's a baby. The good news is that he was good at it and will be again.
When planning to do something new, preferrably work consecutive days. Day 1 is simple, day 2 builds on day 1, 3rd and 4th day, you're starting with a horse already in 'work' mode. This is a good time to introduce hacking again. try and arrange a babysitter horse he knows, or a person to walk out (for your own peace of mind, if nervous). Sometimes, it helps to go in the school first, get balanced and settled, horse listening and then go out for a short hack. Choose a quiet time of day and ride the same as you would on a seasoned hacker- though not fast and furious !

Anytime he's worried, just keep riding as though you haven't noticed anything to be scared of, don't look at potential spook objects, don't shorten your reins in preparation, keep chatting with your escorts but be quick to respond as soon as he thinks about naps or spins. Get the focus back on you by directing him to do something else or move in the opposite way to the way he wants to turn.
Lots of pats when he's doing good. Don't reward undesirable behaviour by thanking him after a spook, just ride quietly on. Give the pats when he's doing what you want- walking quietly, being calm, being responsive etc.

Only do what you can cope with, don't force yourself because you feel he 'should' be doing 10 mile solo hacks over all terrain. It takes as long as it takes. Aim to do a little bit more and show him as many different things as possible, practice transitions and halts while out so he doesn't drift off into his own world, but keeps listening to you for direction.
As he's done it in the past, simply having a long break, won't mean he can't do it again. I bet he'll love it, its like learning to ride a bike. You may be rusty, but you don't forget.
 
I have this problem with my little warmblood. He is terrified of everything and his answer is to run backwards and he doesn't care what is behind him. He is not naughty just absolutly petrified. He will follow others out hacking but on his own he is a nightmare. I have taken to leadin him down the road each day and then going in the school where he is confident for a while afterwards. After he has done a week of this I am going to try walking out with someone on foot in front of him and me on him and progress from there. I am hoping this will work as it's all a confidence thing for him.
 
Much of his silliness may be down to not having done anything for 5 years.

So, get yourself a good hacking buddy - on a horse that is 110% bombproof and go from there - every day. You must ride with confidence - but not bully him.

If after 4 weeks the horse is no better, then I would say you've told porkies ;)
 
thanks everyone, thats fab advice, will definitely do the concentrate on something 15metres in front and ride towards that, small steps. Riding with a confidence giver on Thurs am, roads should be quiet. Schooling everynight this week should hopefully get rid of some energy too before Thurs altho sweaty palms already, but good friend (also excellent rider & only 19 LOL) has also said she'd swap if he became too much on the roads and I could ride her 100% hack.
 
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