SuperCoblet
Well-Known Member
Most will not remember, but coblet used to be a horror at hacking out. Even in company, being led, whatever, he would NOT leave the paddock. He would rear up, spin and gallop back, and nothing would stop him. Roll on 1 year of battleing with him, we finally said enough and sent him to bootcamp for 2 weeks, he had a paddy with the lady and tried to jump a 5 bar gate with her and reared so high he almost went over. 2 weeks later, somehow he was a new horse, and with another year at home he was hacking out well in company and towards the middle of last year we were able to try new routes without him napping or worrying. He is now a star to hack out in company, I really trust him now 
Hacking alone is a whole different game, he only goes out if someone is leading him, at the most, leading him half way round then we have to really push on and keep him forward when he knows he is heading home he is fine. Now, we have the 'back lane/railway line' route, about 15 minutes 'round the block' ride. This is coblets favourite hack, mum will usually lead us as far as the lane, then she let's us go and he's fine. This lane is on a road where there is more hacking straight on, so always have trouble him napping down there if we want to go straight.
So today, I borrowed someones waterford Dutch gag to try, and thought it was fab, had great breaks in the field so thought it would be a great time to get him out the paddock and go on our railway line route...all on our own!!
He. Was. Fantastic!!!
Walked away from mum and the paddock very nicely, past another yard (another napping point) well and we trotted around the lanes with pheasants jumping out of all directions
had a little spook and went on well 
We went PAST back lane, which he was a bit sticky on, but lots of pony club kicks and praise he went past without a glitch, so we turned around and went down the lane
we went through the park with kids running around shouting 'shire horsey! Shire horsey!'
he is NOT a shire
he loved the attention though and stood like an angel letting the wee tots stroke him
Got home nice and safe and too him in the paddock to test our new breaks with jumping for a bit
Sorry for such a long post, I suppose I could have just put "coblet hacked out on his own for the first time ever" but that would be boring
Cheese and biscuits for all
Hacking alone is a whole different game, he only goes out if someone is leading him, at the most, leading him half way round then we have to really push on and keep him forward when he knows he is heading home he is fine. Now, we have the 'back lane/railway line' route, about 15 minutes 'round the block' ride. This is coblets favourite hack, mum will usually lead us as far as the lane, then she let's us go and he's fine. This lane is on a road where there is more hacking straight on, so always have trouble him napping down there if we want to go straight.
So today, I borrowed someones waterford Dutch gag to try, and thought it was fab, had great breaks in the field so thought it would be a great time to get him out the paddock and go on our railway line route...all on our own!!
He. Was. Fantastic!!!
Walked away from mum and the paddock very nicely, past another yard (another napping point) well and we trotted around the lanes with pheasants jumping out of all directions
We went PAST back lane, which he was a bit sticky on, but lots of pony club kicks and praise he went past without a glitch, so we turned around and went down the lane
Got home nice and safe and too him in the paddock to test our new breaks with jumping for a bit
Sorry for such a long post, I suppose I could have just put "coblet hacked out on his own for the first time ever" but that would be boring
Cheese and biscuits for all