Help me get my nerve back hacking?

Molly'sMama

Molly'sMama

Well-Known Member
Joined
6 April 2011
Messages
548
Visit site
As title really....
A few months ago, me and my 13.3 , then 5yo old cob were out hacking. We were in our usual spot and it was good. The track in question is very tempting for a canter ( It's a thin dirt track , straight for about 1/2 a kilometre, surrounded by massive fields) , but, I know that Molly would take advantage , never do more than a hesitant trot. Anyway, something spooked her , maybe her exercise sheet , but she had worn it a lot before in sun,rain etc). She went from a slow walk to gallop in about 1 second and went for about 300m. I know it wasn't a proper bolt, I was eventually able pull her up, but I was shocked, but a few minutes later , I thought I was fine ( I stayed on) .
a couple of times later, we were along a road, when she jumped and cantered along the road. in front of a police car . fun (!) .Then it's been little spooks , a few bucks etc .
So what I think I'm trying to say is --my nerve has been gradually worn away.I'm fine, lunging ,schooling ,jumping etc, but anyone asks if i want to go out , i clam up, sweaty hands, heart goes, blood pressure goes ....
So anyhelp? My mums set up for our YM to take me out saturdays with her on her unspooky horse ( everyone's been really kind about it @ the yard) but I dont know what else to do. I know its me.. She was fine last week when we went out with YM on foot for a 30min with the dogs , but i still panicked.... said horse isnt in pain or uncomfortable .
Thanks loveliesss xxx
 
You really should do as some have allready suggested and go out with another person who has a good horse. Take it slowly to start with and just walk. In fact, if all you ever want to do again out on a hack is walk then, there is nothing wrong with that.

To be honest as I've got older I lost my nerve out hacking but months of walking out with another horse has done both me and my horse the world of good and now I feel comfortable.
 
I kind of lost my nerve a bit when I started riding the horse I share, he is big/sensitive and a bit of a thug especially if he's worried. Also I had to go through all the process of getting to know how he reacted to certain situations. To make matters more difficult, until recently I've had no-one to hack with and I don't like going out on my own and he certainly didn't!! Thankfully I now have the worlds most bombproof cob to hack out with, she is totally unfazed by everything and will happily go in between us and whatever so it's brilliant.

A) please don't beat yourself up about your nerves, everyone (and certainly lots on here) know what you're going through.
B) don't be embarresed to ask for help, either lessons, hacking buddies, or asking someone else to hack your horse with another so you can see how different she is with another bombproof horse.
D) do lots of groundwork, confidence building, spook busting in field to build your trust in each other.
E) don't ever worry if all you do is go a small way down the road, turn round and come back (as long as your horse won't get nappy) this really worked for me.

Good luck, oh and rescue remedy works really well!!! :-))
 
I would put a headcollar on over your bridle and get a kind soul to lead you from a lungeline. Yes, you look like a beginner but it really works. I had a shockingly nappy first horse who was a real cow for trying to gallop for home. OH used to lead us out and it really boosted my confidence knowing that she couldn't shoot off. Before long he was just walking beside us just in case and after a few months we were hacking confidently on our own and never looked back.
 
Its ok Ive lost my confidence too,so I know how you feel. My horse needs bringing on and I have to come to grips and get on with it (gulps lol).
Get someone to go with you on lunge rein as said.
 
Definitely go out with another unflappable horse. Mine would want to go off as soon as his hooves touched the grass, but only in certain places use to excite him. I lost my nerve and would avoid the areas I knew would set him off.

I went out with another horse but I think he thought the other well behaved horse was up for a gallop too but as it was so well behaved he had to walk along behind. I also did lots of half halts to make sure he was listening to me whilst we were out. The other rider was great and was happy to help me out.

Yes take someone to lead you if need be I agree, if the horse is young he may need that as well. I have seen people leading horses with riders. Defintely dont be afraid to ask for help as you dont want him taking the mick. Go back to the places he messed you around too, as they do remember where etc.
 
Agree with the above, but also have a lesson on stopping and also keeping your horses attention firmly on you!!

Maybe, for a little while, make hacks shorter and schooling hacks.

I think for your confidence you need to know that at any point you can get your horses attention away from whatever and back on you. So, if it was me, I would have a plan of work to do on my hack, transitions, getting the horse walking/trotting forward it an outline, maybe some leg yield, why not some rein back, etc, etc.

Good luck.
 
Agree with all the above. Sometimes it's useful to watch someone else (someone decent lol!) riding your horse and doing the things that worry you so that you can see its 'all in your head'. I don't say that lightly as I've been battling with my confidence for about a year and a half now and I've tried most things, but found that that really helped. Maybe you could ride the school master and YM could ride yours out a couple of times, then swap back. By then they'll also be able to give you more targetted advice as they'll know your horse better.

Another daft tip that works is to think 'what's my bum doing?' When I remember to do this 9/10 I find its clenched ha ha and then I have to relax it, which defo helps my horse!! :eek::eek:
 
As well as the above, I would also do it in small steps.

The first time you go out, only walk up the road for a few metres, turn around and come back. Then go further each time.

It will take the stress and worry away from you knowing that you'll only be going a short distance.

Also have someone walking with you as well as your YM on their horse.

Build your confidence gradually and don't put pressure on yourself :)
 
You're lucky you've got the offer of help - take it - it will be well worth it - been going through a bit of a crisis myself after my horse bolted last year but had offer of people willing to lead and ride etcetera with me and I think we're getting there.
 
Dont beat yourself up! I get exactly like you when hacking out, got bolted with and we both fell over going round a corner.. Ouchiess :)

I agree about going out with a confident unspookable horse for company, although I can't really say I did that, mine and Sunny's hacking partner and Sunny's best mate is a dancy prancy arab that likes to scare himself every five minutes. :) However, this really helped me because Sunny doesn't do it, and it gives me trust in him.

When your out, as somebody else has said, do lots of half halts, make him stand every now and then, leg yield or something maybe, make sure you know he's listening to you.

And the best bit of advice, which I did a thread about the other day, when you see something you thinks scary, or get to a place you don't like, just SMILE :D Pretend your not scared, you wouldn't think it works but it does for me :)
 
deep breath (((()))) It can be super scary when they do something scary but if you already worried about her taking off you will tense and because of muscle structure that means leaning forward which doesn't help I would def go out with someone else talking while riding normally keeps both you and horse relaxed it will be ok dw they are all excited with spring grass : ) xxx
 
Definately echo the un-clenching bottom muscles ;-) it does work honestly, also think if you're gripping with your legs as that'll make horse feel tense xx
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top