Hello Im new and need advice!

[lucybrad]

Hi, I have newly aquired a loan pony to bring me back into riding after a long break. I am only planning on hacking out. We have been for a few rides no problems, but yesterday and today I have tried to take her up the road and she has become very nervous at a certain point. I cant see anything for her to be spooked by at all, and she is practically bombproof, but she just does not like walking up this road. The first day I battled through it and we got to the end of the road and came back, but today we decided to turn round and go home (she won). How can i get her to walk on?

 

[cokelly]

Is this road just outside the yard at all? Maybe she is napping?

However if she is genuinely being spooky the best thing you can do is find a friend on a sensible horse to go on a hack with for a few days. Hopefully then your pony will realise there isn't anything scary down the lane and she'll go down by herself!

Well done on getting yourself back into riding!

 

[OrangeEmpire]

My advice is either go for a few hacks with another horse to help you get past this point, or alternative don't turn it into an arguement, but sit up and keep asking her to go forwards with praise for every forwards step she takes and DO NOT let her turn round.

Also make sure your body language is positive and that you are not also staring in horror at the object. look away from it because it is not worth your notice, sit up and be positive. Lots of praise for correct behaviour helps too.

If it is safe to do so you may find reversing her past the object helps. Do not see it as winning and losing, riding is not a battle. You need to show a little leadership to gain her trust.

They all throw something novel at us when they're new, just be positive and you'll be fine!

 

[mik]

If she isn't being naughty and you cant see a specific thing she is shying at are there any strange smells, electric fencing noises, (clicking etc) if you can isolate what it is maybe you can practice going by something similar at the yard.
Can you use this road route to come home by, but not go out by? If so try this and see how she reacts when she is on the way home. If not, definitely try to get someone to ride with as a lead horse.
If it is near the yard, it may well be she is trying you out and there is nothing specific to be scared of there. In this case, be firm and stern and ride her by it positively, you mustn't give in as she will be worse next time. If she is starting to spook you as well, try to get a strong confident rider to take her up this road for you.
Best of luck.

 

[Kenzo]

I would hack her out in company so she gets used to her new surroundings, sometimes a takes a few rides out for them to feel unsure about things but you also need to re-assure her so she seeks confidence in you the rider.

She may well be taking the mick but you can usually tell the difference, if she lacking in confidence giving her whets for with the crop (which some may suggest) will only make her worse because she'll remember that is what happens every time she looks at something or when she comes to the this point where she's feeling she's too far away from home and will get into panic mode and then will not even enjoy hacking out at all, then you'll really have problems.

Never ever ever let her turn back though on either account, if she's scared, jump off and lead her past the area, several times, letting her sniff and look so she realises there is nothing to worry about and praise her then back on board and ride her strongly on.

 

[dottieh]

I would hack her with another horse until she is happy going down the road.

 

[gails]

Frowned upon I know, but this has always worked for me.

If my horse is genuienly



scared and I do not feel safe, I get off and lead him/her to the area and let them investigate, I find it often helps that if they consider you to be in charge then the fact that you dare look and then say that it is fine works.

You may have to do it a couple of times and then take it slowly, I know many people will say this is wrong, but it really does help me and my nerves not to pass on, so we can move forward

 

[lucybrad]

well thanks for the replies. I took her out this morning and we went down another road we had been down before but turned left at the cross roads (she has not ben this way before) and she started the same. I dont have anyone else to ride with so I am going to get my husband to ride his bike with us next time. When we first got her he would come with me and i think maybe she is just scared of new roads. Ill let you know how i get on!