HELPPP!

[LollyDolly]

So I need all the help I can get here.
About 3 years ago my old horse (who was crackers) managed to ditch me when out road hacking and I was very badly injured, since then I have never been the most confident when it comes to hacking on roads because I know how much the concrete hurts! Also I worry about my horse getting loose and getting injured, or worse!!
So anyway I have this lovely youngster, he is very nervous but he has a lovely disposition and he has such a sweet nature. He was backed last September so everything is still rather new to him and he lacks confidence in certain areas. I have hacked him 3 times, the first time he was fab, he went out with my friends horse and even took the lead! The next time he was AWFUL, he was spooking at everything and getting really fizzy and jogging. In the end I had to get off him and walk him in hand because he nearly got us hit by a car, he throws himself across the road and into the path of incoming traffic! The other day I planned on taking him for a little potter down the lanes but as usual he was being silly, spooking/jogging and prancing around.
So personally I do not tense up until he begins to act up and skitter about, that is when I panic because we are situated on narrow, winding lanes so when he skitters and jumps about he puts us both at risk!
So what do I do? He physcially throws his weight and swings his back end out, I wouldn't mind if I could keep him straight but I can't, so obviously he puts us both at risk. So, does anyone have any tips? How can I keep him going straight and out of the way of traffic?
Thanks!
Ps. He HATES whips after having a terrible time back in Ireland so any form of physical force is a huge No-No, it just makes him worse!

 

[Meowy Catkin]

I'm going to be honest. A nervous, green horse plus a nervous rider really isn't a good combination.

If he's fine in company (if I read your post correctly - the first 'good' hack was in company and the other two 'awful' hacks were alone) then only hack in company until you are both more confident.

Or - get a more confident rider to hack him and see if he's better with them.

 

[pip6]

Ditto get a confident rider to teach him his road manners. He's not going to get them from you if you are nervous.

 

[LollyDolly]

I'm going to be honest. A nervous, green horse plus a nervous rider really isn't a good combination.

If he's fine in company (if I read your post correctly - the first 'good' hack was in company and the other two 'awful' hacks were alone) then only hack in company until you are both more confident.

Or - get a more confident rider to hack him and see if he's better with them.

Hang on, sorry I missed a few things out!
The second hack was also in company, it was only the last hack where he was alone!
Also, I am absolutley fine UNTIL he acts up. I only panic when he throws us all over the road, when he has a spook or is jogging I am fine and not bothered at all however it is when he literally flings us across the road that I panic because there is nothing I can do to keep him straight, I apply the inside leg and keep pressure on the outside rein but when he freaks he just ignores it. Physically I cannot over power him! So that is what causes the panic, I feel like I cannot keep him to the side of the road and obviously being a driver myself I know the risks when there is a horse all over the road.
He has excellent manners in the school and when doing off road hacking and farm rides however in the road he acts like a bolting horse, you know when you can tell that the horse has lost all regard for their own self preservation?

 

[kerrieberry2]

you might not be tense before he does that but are you waiting for something to happen? maybe more so the 2nd time he freaked out? it might be that you felt relaxed but he could still sense that you were not 100% confident in him?

have you walked him out in hand much along those roads? I would do that if I could so he can get used to the things that he's going to come across when you're riding him and they won't be so scary!

I've just started taking my 2yr old out in hand, with a friend the other side as well, so if he messes about there is double to strength! today we came across a load of cyclist's, sheep, a massive flag and he snorted at them and looked a lot but at least now he's learnt that they won't hurt him and he's building trust up with me before I get on him when he's older!

 

[Cuppatea]

boot him forwards.
or find someone who doesnt panic when he plays up to ride him.

 

[Allover]

Also, I am absolutley fine UNTIL he acts up. I only panic when he throws us all over the road, when he has a spook or is jogging I am fine and not bothered at all however it is when he literally flings us across the road that I panic because there is nothing I can do to keep him straight, I apply the inside leg and keep pressure on the outside rein but when he freaks he just ignores it. Physically I cannot over power him! So that is what causes the panic, I feel like I cannot keep him to the side of the road and obviously being a driver myself I know the risks when there is a horse all over the road.
He has excellent manners in the school and when doing off road hacking and farm rides however in the road he acts like a bolting horse, you know when you can tell that the horse has lost all regard for their own self preservation?

This is the most important time NOT to panic, would ditto other posters and get someone confident on him, it will be the best thing for the partnership in the long run

 

[Goldenstar]

Get a confident rider on him he's needs riding firmly forwards do it quick horses get spoilt quickly this behaviour needs nipping in the bud quickly.

 

[LollyDolly]

Thanks for the advice!
Like I say, after the fall a few years ago I was left almost crippled with pain (I fell from my 17.2 sports horse, and I'm only 5'6!!) so since then I never really hacked much. Although I am used to riding explosive, downright mental horses (which my sweet little boy isn't!) I always have that niggling feeling in the back of my mind like 'What if a car comes flying round that corner now' or 'If (by some miracle- not meaning to be arrogant it's just that I am used to really high maitence horses and therefore have inherited a sticky bum!) I do fall off somehow, what will happen to Sandy (my pony)'
I must be getting old, I mean I am more than happy to sit on a 17.2 sports horse who is going vertical yet put me on a road and I get all paranoid, I think that all drivers are out to kill me/my pony!
It doesn't help that said 17.2 ISH did attempt attack a car once whilst we were out hacking, as in physically attacked it. To be fair though, he came flying round a blind bend at 40mph!!

 

[kerrieberry2]

how about getting a friend to walk or cycle in front of you! will give the youngster and yourself a bit of confidence, as if they are in front and something happens they can keep any traffic out of the way! I'm sure nothing will happen but will help yours and the horses confidence!

Im sure the more you do it the easier it will be and the less worried you will feel when he darts around!

I'm used to a horse that bolts but when i took my friends just back mare out and she bolted forward, i S**t myself, as it was a new horse that I wasn't used to and wasnt sure what she'd new! luckily she stopped as soon as the deer she'd seen started crossing the road we were on! phew

 

[abitodd]

I always have that niggling feeling in the back of my mind like 'What if a car comes flying round that corner now' or 'If (by some miracle- not meaning to be arrogant it's just that I am used to really high maitence horses and therefore have inherited a sticky bum!) I do fall off somehow, what will happen to Sandy (my pony)'
I must be getting old, I mean I am more than happy to sit on a 17.2 sports horse who is going vertical yet put me on a road and I get all paranoid, I think that all drivers are out to kill me/my pony!
It doesn't help that said 17.2 ISH did attempt attack a car once whilst we were out hacking, as in physically attacked it. To be fair though, he came flying round a blind bend at 40mph!!

You have had a bad experience and even if you say you are relaxed,that 'what if.....? is probably all your horse can hear from you when you go hacking. Horses are (IMO) highly tuned to hormones, like adrenaline, so I suspect this might be contributing to the problem.
Getting someone else to hack him is a good idea,but I would work on addressing your understandable fear of traffic. Taking him for walks in hand and getting on for a few yards when you are close to home and feel safe and building from there will strenthen your mutual trust,increase your confidence and....... get you very fit!