High hopes, but in the end slightly disappointing hack

Q

Quartz

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Went on my first hack alone with my 6 year old horse. On hacks with other horses he is the bravest and my instructor usually takes out younger horses she is training with my horse as he his not scared of anything. So usually very proud when returning from a hack. However, today I took the bull by the horns and decided to venture out alone!!! I guess to be fair some of it is my fault as I was not as confident as usual and for sure he sensed it. First of all weather turned and was very windy (not a great start), then we encountered several things which we don't often see. I had to disamount at one point to lead him, the ground is broken and its not possible to walk over so we just go to the side of a field to pass this, but today there was a new large muck heap where we usually pass, and then to top it of some kind of generator started up!!!! So I got down to lead him, but then could not get back up as he just started freaking at everything. I think I must of somehow confirmed to him to be scared when I got down. We ended up walking half the hack with me also walking beside him!!! I did eventually manage to get back on near the end. So there we are high hopes to start with but disappointed in myself for not being firmer, with him and myself!!!! Will try again next week, hope it goes better.
 
i always remember being told take baby steps and for me it worked :)
i used to get half way down the road (20 steps) and up in the air we would go lol, eventually i managed to get a half hour hack without rearing on his own- we could go for miles in company but alas neither me nor him were confident about our lonesome hacks x
 
The problem for me is the shortest hack we can do is 1 hour. Otherwise it involves doing a U turn and going back on ourselves which I have been advised against. I think thats it, its my confidence more than his. Hopefully the more times I do it the more confident I will become, although am dreading the next time already!!
 
can you get someone to go in front a good bit either on foot or horseback? something to look aim towards maybe? for me it was a cycle sign next to the field then off for a gallop in the field then back the way we came (i only relaxed in the field but apparently i am weird) :D
 
He's fine if I am with someone else either on horse back, walking or on a bike. Its just being completely alone thats the problem. The hack we go on is a circuit, so unless I do a U turn on ourselves I need to complete the hour circuit. I have no fear at all with him if we are with someone else, but just one tiny thing on our own and I panick and then of course it all goes downhill. Need to find the confidence in myself really. Just feel I let myself down, and him.:(
 
well when you find it send some to me as i have to try horses prob this week and i hate it! much better when i get to knowthe horse but i really hate riding strange horses x
 
i think baby steps of positivity is more important than the thou shalt not u turn thing, even tho ideally you wouldnt have to do that. I would risk that in order to reduce all the other negative factors and go out a little further each day.

Or, maybe walk out in hand or in company every other ride and go the route you are planning to go the next day, so that unless obstables/scary things arrive over that night, horsie will have seen all the stuff.
 
also remember your role is as the big brave bear with your baby horse, I found that helped me, as I realised that she would be a brave horse in the future and would have a more exciting and nice life if I was brave for her now.

As a result ultra nervous nellie me managed to bring her on and I can now enjoy hacking alone (altho Im still ultra cautious, just my nature!)
 
Dont be to hard on yourself! You both got back in one piece which is and achievement in itself with a youngster :)

I may well be wrong to think like this (Im sure someone will correct me :) ) But when I hacked one of my bosses horses on his own for the first time since Id known him my feeling was 'well if it all goes tits up I can walk him home!' as its better than getting hurt. It helped that said horse is V. good to lead and it actually went well! But Ive had to get off and lead a horse home before as we literally had a case of one step fwd and 3 back!

You need to try and rebuild both your confidences. Go back out with company first and take your time :)
 
Thanks for all your posts everyone. It really helps just seeing what other people think and getting some other views and ideas. Makes me feel not so stupid!!! Thank you!!!:)
 
You really are being too hard on yourself. I am sure the majority would have done exactly the same. Think of the positives ... you hacked out alone, you met some scary things you have never met before and dealt with the situation, you didn't turn for home. Your boy was nervous but you walking by his side no doubt instilled confidence in him, you were his leader. And you got back on to finish the ride.

Well done you x
 
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