HELP! My horse wont hack alone

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Iv had my boy since september and had to move around due to various reasons. We didnt start off on the best note and with th help of instructors and friends he is going well and Iv lost my fear to ride him. However the next issue is he wont hack alone. He just plants himself and tries to turn home but wont move forward. what should i be doing to get him hacking alone. I just long for the day I can take him out just the two of us
 
Find yourself a good hacking partner and go from there. Build it up over the summer, to get his confidence, and used to traffic. and then start going on little outings by yourself.

How old is the horse and what's his history?
 
He does hack out well with others. I didnt know if I didnt start trying him on his own he would just get so use to company he would never hack alone? I had to dismount last time and he walked with me. Very nervous and spooky but he followed me. My friend tried too and he just planted himself. He went forward when someone else walked in front with a carrot :p just want to know what approach is best to make it a smooth transition.
 
I made this exact statement to Monty Roberts at a Q&A after a demo 10+ years ago and his reply was 'But your horse isn't alone, its with you' talk about a lightbulb moment, I went home and worked on getting a better relationship with my mare and getting her to trust me.

We went out with others, we did lots of groundwork and I often led her out in hand, then one day I tacked her up jumped on and rode her down the drive (maybe 150-200m) to the gate, jumped off gave her a treat, ran the stirrups up, loosened the girth and walked her back to her stable, the next day we went through the gate, day 3 we took a couple of steps down the lane and so on and so on, every time I jumped off and led her back.
It took a few months before we could consistently go out alone but I always jumped off and walked the last 1/4 ish mile home.

I think some horses worry more than others and they need to feel safe without their buddies to lean on, you have to show them that you'll keep them safe.
 
will he go in front when you hack with others?

maybe try doing the same short route with company every day for 4 or 5 days, if there are NO spooks or scares try leading him on the same route for a day or two, then try on your own in the saddle. If he still wont go ask someone to walk out with you, when he feels confident ask them just to drop back to just behind his shoulder and if you feel him tensing ask them to take the lead again. you don't want to teach him if he stops someone else will save him so you need to pay attention to his body language and get them in front before he stops.

he sounds like he lacks confidence and this may build if you spend more time with him without any pressure for a while maybe?

moving yards and/or owners can really upset some of them, give him time be patient-don't push him too hard cos he is not doing anything dangerous by the sounds of it just sort of getting stuck with nerves. He sounds like he needs your help not punishment so I would not be getting cross (not that I am saying you have been)

good luck
 
maggiesmum said:
I made this exact statement to Monty Roberts at a Q&A after a demo 10+ years ago and his reply was 'But your horse isn't alone, its with you' talk about a lightbulb moment, I went home and worked on getting a better relationship with my mare and getting her to trust me.

We went out with others, we did lots of groundwork and I often led her out in hand, then one day I tacked her up jumped on and rode her down the drive (maybe 150-200m) to the gate, jumped off gave her a treat, ran the stirrups up, loosened the girth and walked her back to her stable, the next day we went through the gate, day 3 we took a couple of steps down the lane and so on and so on, every time I jumped off and led her back.
It took a few months before we could consistently go out alone but I always jumped off and walked the last 1/4 ish mile home.

I think some horses worry more than others and they need to feel safe without their buddies to lean on, you have to show them that you'll keep them safe.
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good advice i would say
 
I think I must be in the minority. I had a mare that had never been hacked alone (well not for years) she did similar to your lad, applied the breaks, refused to go forward, if you pushed her she went up or backwards. I just stuck it out, kept on at her until she went forward. The first time it might take half an hour but you can bet the next time will only take you 15 minutes, the next time five minutes and so on. I've always tackled horses that won't hack alone this way and touch wood so far it's always been the quickest way. After all, you brought the horse to ride him not hold his hand on a walk. If he knows he has a determined confident rider onboard who is in charge then he will gain confidence from that.
 
Yep, if the horse will hack out happily in company, there's no reason for it not to jack out alone.

So, when the horse plants just sit there and wait it out. Don't dismount, don't argue. And make sure you have plenty of time.
 
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