Horse gets very strong hacking in company

[Medrum]

Hi, my horse is usually quite steady out hacking on his own or with one other horse, but when out hacking in a three he turns into a complete twerp where he has to be touching the tail of the horse in front in case he loses him, completely stops listening and gets ridiculously strong and if at the back he gets very twitchy and nervous. Any suggestions please to get him to listen more and worry less?

 

[AmyMay]

Why not try going two abreast (where safe to do so), and in front when needed?

 

[mini_b]

Mine will only go up front and I ride 2 abreast. pick your battles

 

[18hhOlls&Me]

Is it the same two horses and is he turned out with them? There may be a hierarchy, he may be dominant or very attached to one or other in the field. Obviously he needs to listen to you when ridden regardless but may be a factor....I have found doing lots of transitions from walk/halt/walk etc makes sure they are listening to you not thinking about which horse is where in relation to them. Think about people who tries to barge in a queue, if you distracted them with a question that gets them listening to you and calm them down the situation would hopefully defuse. And horses act far better than humans so likely it would work better with your horse! X

 

[18hhOlls&Me]

Is it the same two horses and is he turned out with them? There may be a hierarchy, he may be dominant or very attached to one or other in the field. Obviously he needs to listen to you when ridden regardless but may be a factor....I have found doing lots of transitions from walk/halt/walk etc makes sure they are listening to you not thinking about which horse is where in relation to them. Think about people who tries to barge in a queue, if you distracted them with a question that gets them listening to you and calm them down the situation would hopefully defuse. And horses act far better than humans so likely it would work better with your horse! X

Transitions in the school obviously not when you are hacking out between two other horses ?

 

[dorsetladette]

As other have said, I would just go in front or 2 a breast and enjoy your hack rather than making it a battle. At some point you could start swapping places with each other for very short bursts and then building it up if you feel you need to, but honestly hacking should be pleasurable for everyone so I've just let him go in front.

 

[18hhOlls&Me]

Th

As other have said, I would just go in front or 2 a breast and enjoy your hack rather than making it a battle. At some point you could start swapping places with each other for very short bursts and then building it up if you feel you need to, but honestly hacking should be pleasurable for everyone so I've just let him go in front.

That’s very true, it’s only if it becomes a safety matter for example if even in two abreast the horse may want to be close to the other one? But hacking yeah defo meant to be chilled and fun!!

 

[nikkimariet]

Get him settled riding in company to the point he is enjoyable to ride and then start to mix it up and ask him to go in the middle and at the back.

Rooni likes being at the front but can be a Wally until he has relaxed so is best at the back to start. Neither of mine can cope with slow walkers!

 

[18hhOlls&Me]

Get him settled riding in company to the point he is enjoyable to ride and then start to mix it up and ask him to go in the middle and at the back.

Rooni likes being at the front but can be a Wally until he has relaxed so is best at the back to start. Neither of mine can cope with slow walkers!

And all horses are individual some naturally prefer to be at the front, some middle or back like in a herd in the wild....but if OP feels it’s unsafe knowing she can control barging, upward transitions etc would be ideal x

 

[Leandy]

How well schooled and obedient is he generally? If he goes well in the school you need to work on hacks to insist on the same attention and obedience to your aids. If you cannot achieve general obedience and attention in the school and when hacking alone then you won't have much hope out hacking in company and you need to go back to some basic schooling first.

 

[Breagha]

My horse can generally be the same, she likes to be in front and if shes not her nose practically touches the horses butt. I did the changing it up of who was where in the hack and it got better, shes still strong but its managable. If a horse stops quickly in front, we generally end up chest to bum.