Help with strong pony for child out hacking

[Denali]

A bit late to this thread but, OP definitely speak to your daughter’s instructor about it and I think it’s a great idea to have a hacking lesson.

It sounds like it’s more your daughter’s skill level than the pony needing extra breaks. A horse spooking like the pony did takes some awareness of what’s happening to stick with it and stop the horse.

I have had horses who I did need to bit up a little bit when hacking out vs riding in the ring so that’s not a bad thing on face value. I will say, in this particular situation, I can’t really say if a kimberwick would have resulted in a different outcome as I don’t know your pony. I think teaching your daughter a pulley rein would be more useful than bitting up based on this one post.

 

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Hi, I am looking for advice. my daughters pony has started to get quite strong out hacking. I have always trusted her before but she bolted with my daughter (daughter is 10). Daughter and pony were both fine but I think it has shook her confidence a little bit. she is currently ridden in a lose ring snaffle but her breaks aren't that great. We are keeping to a walk and she is practising transitions. But just wondering if it would be worth changing to a slightly stronger bit when hacking or adding anything to her tack to help with control? she has balance control reins but not sure if anything better is recommended? should note we have absolutely no issues in the school with breaks or transitions so would only be looking at potential tack changes out hacking to keep them both safe?

I basically want to put my mind at rest as a mum and get daughters confidence back?

Hi I have just had a similer thing happen to me too ! Pony spooked at a sheep at a fence and both ponies took off managed to stop one. Such a scary experience and both ponies are normally brilliant hacking. Awful experience definitely knocked me and kids confidence

 

[maya2008]

Hi I have just had a similer thing happen to me too ! Pony spooked at a sheep at a fence and both ponies took off managed to stop one. Such a scary experience and both ponies are normally brilliant hacking. Awful experience definitely knocked me and kids confidence

It is really important that you teach your children what to do if the pony spooks. So talk through what they need to do and practise in a safe space. Get them to canter fast then pull up, talk about always having heels down so they stay on, whoosh the whip behind them and get the ponies to shoot forwards so the children can practise. Ponies, however lovely and safe they may be, are living beings with instincts and minds of their own, it's up to us to educate our children so they can cope if something goes wrong. It's only at the point where they can, that they should be hacking out off the lead rein.