Hacking youngsters?

[domane]

At the ripe old age of 48 I've just backed my first youngster. Arthur is 3/4 Comtois and will be 4 on 6th April and has been gently started with absolutely no qualms. I swear that boy has lived before! We are just about to start small hacks, using our safe ClydieX as leader/example giver and I know you start off with short sessions. So we're planning on just plodding gently around the fields next door to our grazing for 15-20 mins to start with. My question is, how do I build up the time out? Do I do it each time or weekly and by how much? I've brought on a few (unbacked) youngsters before but Arthur is the first one I've sat on and I'd never got any further than thinking about that very first sit-on. So now... with the prospect of hacking... I'm in uncharted territory!!

Pic I'm very proud of (terribly sorry about the wellies... a complete oversight on one occasion )

 

[Niddlynoo]

Firstly what a gorgeous horse, I'm jealous! I've only once brought in a baby. I broke him with the help of an instructor. We mixed up short (20-30mins) of schooling or hacking 3/4 times a week.
We just increased the hacking over a few weeks depending on routes, if it was longer we went slower and picked up the pace on the shorter ones (only trotting to start). He was also a big lad, Clyde x so don't want to rush him especially into school.
I hope you have serious fun with your baby

 

[AdorableAlice]

I don't know anything about the breed so I may be way out on my thoughts.

When I have started hacking babies I tried to show them as many different things as possible without turning hacks into marathons. Mine did tire quickly, and they don't absorb what is going on if they are tired out. Your lovely horse is a heavy boy so won't have the spark of a lighter horse.

You need to gradually increase his work but listen to him, he will become unbalanced when he gets tired. Occupy his mind and keep him interested rather than tire him out. You will feel him get stronger as the work increases bit by bit.

 

[dominobrown]

I am lucky to have quiet roads around me, but hacking is a great education for a young horse. Its gets them out and about and seeing the world, is not as boring for them in the school, and not as physically demanding. Also you can be suprised how much 'schooling' you can do on a hack. However, I have quite good hacking around me, I wouldn't be as keen if I had to hack up an A road or something!

 

[domane]

Thanks all. I'm also lucky as I have an industrial estate very close, which is deserted on a Sunday so I thought it would be a good idea to get a friend to ride our mature horse as leader, me to ride Arthur and for OH to slowly drive past us a few times in a controlled environment. I'll also get him to don a bright hi-viz vest and cycle past us a few times as well. I actually think Arthur will be fine, especially with the car as he's very laid-back and placid (I would never have dared to sit on him otherwise! ) Besides, he has seen traffic, we had to walk through the car park to get to the stables at the last livery yard I was at so he saw an assortment of cars and farm machinery, but it's one thing to see it "in-hand" and another to be being ridden.

But thanks for the advice - I'll just listen to Arthur and if I ever overdo it and feel he's tiring I can always hop off and lead him. Once the clocks change next weekend I'll be able to drag my OH to the yard in the evenings so we can try to venture out 2-3 times a week and build from there

 

[Beatrice5]

I have just backed and am riding away my rising 5 13.2 New Forest. I am aware I am on the heavy side for him so took advice from my Chiropractor who is a serious endurance rider so knows about our harsh hilly terain and building up fitness.

The advice I was given was to start with 30 mins walking 3 times a week and build weekly by 10 min intervals. So I ride Mon, Wed and Fri and if I want to make it more varied and the route is any longer I hop off and walk for 10 mins then when the ground is flatter hop back on for 10 mins etc etc until we get home. That way he only carries me for the allotted time but we get to do a different route.

I first sat on him in a school and he really didn't get the point of going forwards as it wasn't going anywhere new. So we quickly started hacking and he was far more forwards going and enthusiastic.

I walked my chap out in hand from the age of 2 to see some traffic so now all we have to do is ride him away and build his fitness.

Enjoy your gorgeous boy and it sounds as if you have a good friend to go out with too.

 

[Fizz06]

I think I recognise Arthur...is he related to a horse beginning with G?

If so, he's looking brilliant and you're doing really well!

In hand hacks are good and then build him up slowly, don't push him but don't underestimate him either! Short circular routes in company are best, then out alone with someone on foot etc...

 

[Kat]

Get out and give it a go, but listen to him when he is tiring. Personally rather than getting your oh to drive past I'd get him to follow at a distance on foot in case you need a hand but other wise try to forget about what might be spooky. I found with my youngster the best thing was to look where I wanted her to look and ignore spooky stuff. It worked.

 

[Littlelegs]

Once the basics are in place I like to get out hacking as soon as possible, much more fun than an arena. I'd probably go with 2 or 3 times a week for 20 mins or so & build up weekly depending on how easily he tired.

 

[domane]

I think I recognise Arthur...is he related to a horse beginning with G?

That's the one.... I understand he was quite a famous chappie on the IHDG forum - if that's where you know him from? The surprise offspring of a rescue mare. I still keep in touch with his former owner with regular updates

 

[Trinity Fox]

I back a few and hack them out more or less after they are walking forward with me on,I find it better for getting them going than putting them in the school.
I go with another horse needed to block or slow traffic sometimes,they tire easily get distracted and get sweaty itchy whatever like babies.
I try to increase a little every time just so they do not turn at same point vary the route so they dont get too used to it.

The flighty ones are sometimes better out as they have something else to think about and I have a very quiet one I am taking out at the moment but he can get distracted and get stuck sometimes but is generally pretty good.

I know it can be daunting taking them out but I think they are better out and all the explosions I have had have been in schools or paddocks,I also find if they want to trot on for a short burst just let them it never usually leads to anything.
Take it easy and build it up but they will let you know if it is too much, it is also usually easier to canter for the first time out hacking but you do not need to worry about that at the moment.
And good luck your horse looks a cracker.