Horse wanting to catch up with others on a hack

[Cortez]

The person on the other horse should have been, more responsible and hacked back with you rather than just gone off ahead of you and then once round the bend trotted off as this will upset most horses. It is not unusual for your horse to want to catch up with a horse that was ahead f them or accelerates away from them. I am sure that a qualified and competent instructor will teach you how to ensure that you have more control of your pony.

Blimey, so not only do you have to ride your own horse, now you have to be responsible for everyone elses. I mean obviously you don't go around endangering other people, oh wait........

 

[Georgie's mum]

Can't agree with you there Peter. People have a right to hack alone if they want to, and once there is some distance between you, and especially if you can get safely out of sight, then I think the best way to deal with this is usually to trot on sharply to get right away from the other horse. Not if you can see the other horse is kicking off, of course, but this one wasn't ("the other rider went round a corner and mine was still ok"). It's a situation that happened all the time when my hacking was a commercial farm ride. Riders also can't expect other people out on a ride to change their plans and take them home, they need to hack in company until they are sure they can control their horse in this situation.
.

She didn't "take me home". She was on the way back anyway.

 

[Cortez]

She did not see me back to the yard, or cut short her ride.

Why should she? If you're out hacking on your own you are presumably competent to look after yourself.

 

[ycbm]

She didn't "take me home". She was on the way back anyway.

I didn't say she did. Peter Natt suggested she should have done, and I disagree with him.

What you did say is that she slowed down for you, and if you haven't already done so you need to thank her for that, not complain about her on a forum.
.

 

[Georgie's mum]

Your pony's reaction was understandable, as you say, but simply not acceptable or excusable. To be honest you were lucky that the person who you galloped up behind helped you to get home safely and waited before speaking to you quietly later. Many people, especially in the heat of the moment when their own horse was upset by yours, (and could have caused a serious accident) would have bawled you out then and there.

I suggest, if you haven't already, you go and say sorry, and thank her for seeing you home safely . This is probably what she was "expecting you to say". If you can't face her, you could leave her a card with it written in.

I'm sure you can sort this, now that you're aware it's an issue. You've got some good advice above.
.

It doesn't sound to me as if the other rider just charged off. She walked until turning a corner, at which point OP had many options, and even then the other rider did not charge off, just trotted. I would not expect someone to walk for miles just because they meet someone less experienced, and it sounds as if she was very kind in cutting short her ride and seeing OP safely back to the yard.

OP, it sounds as if you have a good attitude about taking advice, so talk to your instructor. I would also say that you seem to have the wrong idea about teaching horses manners. Those of us who have horses who might want to gallop after the other horse in this situation, but who would not dream of actually doing so, did not achieve this by 'beating them to within an inch of their life'. A mannerly horse is not one who is afraid of humans, but rather one who has been taught to trust them.

If you want to hack alone you need to be confident that you can control your horse in a variety of situations, so I would stick to hacking with someone else for now.

Edited to add that OP, I just saw your post in another thread saying that in your opinion it is not acceptable for anyone to trot in any circumstance if they are ahead of other horses. In busy areas this would have everyone condemned to only walking for some considerable distance. It is for us to be in control of our horses in normal situations, and in your case the other rider showed very good manners in walking until she was out of sight. It also does not sound as if she yelled at you when you came galloping up behind her, but kindly took you back home and simply asked if you had an instructor. Many would have had a lot more to say, and personally I would probably be buying her some small gift by way of apology.

We need to get away from this idea that others are responsible for our safety. Saying that your pony's reaction was 'understandable in the circumstances', or that no one can do anything but walk if there is a chance that our horse may see them is simply not reasonable. Speaking personally, in the situation of the other rider, once I had got some distance from you and rounded a corner I would have known that you had the opportunity to turn around for a short while if necessary, and carried on at any speed I wanted, probably a lot faster than a trot.

Not saying that other riders are responsible for my safety. Horses are herd animals and want to be with their own kind.

 

[Cortez]

Not saying that other riders are responsible for my safety. Horses are herd animals and want to be with their own kind.

Yes, so knowing this it is your job to ride your horse accordingly - not blame everyone else for something that was your fault.

 

[ycbm]

Not saying that other riders are responsible for my safety. Horses are herd animals and want to be with their own kind.

It is your duty as a rider, especially out on public roads, to be in control of your horse, no matter what it might want.

In starting this thread you have blamed another rider for your own inability to control your horse. You've had some great advice how to sort this now you know about it. It would be inexcusable to allow it to happen a second time.
.

 

[Georgie's mum]

I can’t give you advice on how to overcome the issue hacking on you own. But you can and will, with time and patience, overcome it.

But you are right her reaction was natural for a pony and understandable. The other livery was rude and ignorant ignore her.

Thank you.

 

[Georgie's mum]

Hi, have a shared or group lesson and practice ‘lead rider forward to trot and join the rear’ might help get pony used to the idea. Then a friend out hacking trot away then stop and wait. Gradually increase distance.

Thank you - at last a constructive reply!

 

[Georgie's mum]

Hi, have a shared or group lesson and practice ‘lead rider forward to trot and join the rear’ might help get pony used to the idea. Then a friend out hacking trot away then stop and wait. Gradually increase distance.

Thank you for the constructive advice.

 

[Georgie's mum]

I would talk to your instructor to (a) make a plan to how to deal with these situations and (b) see if she could actually hack out with you and do some work when you're out.

Thank you - good idea.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

For a young horse it's a pretty normal response to want to be with another horse however her tanking off with you to catch up and having not a lot of control is a training issue.

I would get some help from your instructor but being young it could be an insecurity thing so maybe some hacking with another safe horse on some days may help, it could just be a lack of confidence being alone all the time.

One of mine will jog and throw him self around sometimes if horses are in front but he never tanks off, I tend to go a different way if I can or if I know them I will ask if I can stay with them if its on my route home.

I had a woman once ask to hack with us and she decided to go off on her own half way round she wanted a gallop on the stubble, within 5 minutes the horse was galloping up behind us and she had to basically stay with us.

 

[Gallop_Away]

Thank you - at last a constructive reply!

You have had many constructive replies/advice and are now coming across as quite rude.....

 

[Georgie's mum]

Thank you for the CONSTRUCTIVE advice by a few posters, and no thanks to those who are just critical.

To clarify; we were not on a road.

I am NOT BLAMING THE OTHER RIDER!! I was just asking for advice about how to deal with future situations. Since posting the original post I have talked at length to my instructor who was extremely critical about the other rider, but even more importantly, said that it is natural for a horse to want to keep up with others of its own kind.

I understand the need to avoid this happening in future (I'm not stupid) and wanted helpful and constructive comments such as those about hacking with others, sometimes taking the lead and sometimes going behind, and trying a bit of separation to see how that goes. Those are helpful suggestions which I will be taking up.

 

[Georgie's mum]

You have had many constructive replies/advice and are now coming across as quite rude.....

Nope - just asking for constructive advice, not just more condemnation.

 

[ycbm]

The other livery was rude and ignorant ignore her.

The other rider was neither rude nor ignorant, she did what the majority of really experienced riders who did not want a slower companion on their hack have been trained to do. Pass the slower horse until a safe distance in front and if it remains calm, trot on briskly to put distance between you.

She then dealt with a very dangerous situation without getting angry, and waited until the next day to calmly talk to the rider about their lack of control and the danger it had put 2 horses and 2 riders in.

It sounds like exemplary behaviour to me and if it was me I'd be livid to see it next day criticised on a forum.
.

 

[ycbm]

Nope - just asking for constructive advice, not just more condemnation.

You could have done that without blaming the other rider. Have you apologised at any point? You don’t mention it.

.

 

[Cortez]

I can’t give you advice on how to overcome the issue hacking on you own. But you can and will, with time and patience, overcome it.

But you are right her reaction was natural for a pony and understandable. The other livery was rude and ignorant ignore her.

Excuse me, WHAT? The person who refrained from tearing strips off the out-of-control rider who ran up her horse's backside was WHAT?

 

[Gloi]

Just remember that next time you let your pony run up the back of another it might not be so tolerant and double barrel you.

 

[Goldenstar]

Excuse me, WHAT? The person who refrained from tearing strips off the out-of-control rider who ran up her horse's backside was WHAT?

I agree , its Scary .

 

[Fieldlife]

I’ve had it happen to me ONCE when there were bridge repair works taking place a few years ago. My slightly nappy horse lost the plot ran up the back of a string of race horses. We were both heading home. Any attempts to get him to wait / circle and he lost the plot.

I misjudged how much the bridgeworks would panic him. And misjudged the direction of the racehorses in front. (I wasn’t expecting them to head in my homeward direction in front of us or I’d have diverted to be further away earlier.

We joined string over bridge / first bit of road. Racehorses then took one route home and I managed to stay on other track and calm him down.

I then went to racing yard to apologise profusely for my out of control horse. And they were okay about it. And I never let the following race horses home situation solo hacking arise again with that horse.

Generally I ride (different horse now) in a busy open space. Many tracks and I pass many horses.

I will walk / stop to pass racehorses. If cantering I tend to halt, let them pass, carry one once far away enough.

I will canter if far away enough from other horses. This morning I angled my canter up a valley to avoid going near racehorses heading down track at top.
Riders generally ask to trot past each other. (Though race horses do have expected trotting areas, and you typically let them go / avoid if don’t want to be trotted past / trot on downs can’t catch you).

There is an expectation if you are riding out when racehorses exercise you have manners, sense and control.

 

[PeterNatt]

Georgie's mum! I am upset at the response you have had to your post. If it had been me then I would have stayed with you and merrily hacked back with you to the yard at a nice gentle pace. I was hacking along the road some time ago when in the distance coming towards me was a rider who's horse was playing up big time and I could see that she was having serious problems controlling it, so I offered to turn round and hack back with her to ensure that she got back home safely, which she was most grateful for. The rider concerned was an experienced competitive rider riding as it turned out a new young horse. I wish you luck with your horse and no doubt you will learn under the guidance of your instructor how to prevent your horse from zooming off.

 

[Arzada]

She did not see me back to the yard, or cut short her ride.

From your OP I, like Winters100, read that you rode back together

and mine flipped and galloped up to join her. Hers jumped about a bit, but then settled down and we went back home together.

 

[ycbm]

Georgie's mum! I am upset at the response you have had to your post. If it had been me then I would have stayed with you and merrily hacked back with you to the yard at a nice gentle pace. I was hacking along the road some time ago when in the distance coming towards me was a rider who's horse was playing up big time and I could see that she was having serious problems controlling it, so I offered to turn round and hack back with her to ensure that she got back home safely, which she was most grateful for. The rider concerned was an experienced competitive rider riding as it turned out a new young horse. I wish you luck with your horse and no doubt you will learn under the guidance of your instructor how to prevent your horse from zooming off.

We would all have done that Peter, but if you read the post the pony was behaving fine until the rider was well ahead and out of sight, at which point it galloped up behind her completely out of control. It's not the same thing at all.

And the other rider did escort the pony home as soon as she knew there was an issue, for which it appears she has received no thanks, never mind an apology.
.

 

[JFTDWS]

We would all have done that Peter.

I wouldn't have - the OP should be in control of her horse before taking it out on the road, and this thread is evidence that she has failed to comprehend the magnitude of the danger she put herself, her horse and the other horse and rider in, by her own incompetence. Her attitude on this thread suggests she doesn't deserve kindness from random strangers. I've buddied up with plenty of people in the past in similar circumstances, but every single one of them was polite and apologetic about their situation, rather than rude and dismissive of their own failings. If I'd had to accompany the OP home for the safety of other road users, there would have been nothing "merry" about it.

Furthermore, if the OP thinks that getting her horse used to others "trotting to the rear of the ride" in an arena is a suitable and sufficient way to deal with this situation, I don't think she should be responsible for making training decisions at this stage in her horse ownership. If the OP wants advice, they should pay a professional for it, or at the very least be civil to those offering it for free.

 

[ycbm]

Hi JFTDWS, lovely to see you back again ? Are you still doing archery, it was really interesting so I hope we can have a catch up thread of you are.
.

 

[AmyMay]

OP, you’ve had some great advice (and some not so great advice). Every day is a learning day, and tbh I can’t see that you did much wrong. Sometimes them’s the breaks with a new horse.

Whenever I’ve found myself in this situation and I think my horse is going to be an arse I simply turn around, and/ or divert the route.

The more you do the more you’ll get a handle on your pony and situations you find yourself in.

Of course, as you recognise, p!sing off towards another horse is not what you want - but you’re prepared for it now, and your reactions will be quicker.

I have no idea why your instructor would criticise the other rider. They did absolutely nothing wrong.

 

[Miss_Millie]

I do think that there is a shaming tone from some posters here, which isn't helpful imo.

Every single equestrian I know has lost control of their horse at some point, even those who are very experienced and have owned horses for 30, 40+ years. Horses are large prey animals with a strong flight instinct, unfortunately sometimes we learn the hard way what our horse's emotional thresholds and triggers are at the worst possible times; I think the majority of people do not want to put themselves, their horse or anyone else in danger, but accidents do happen. Learning from those mistakes and not repeating them so we can set ourselves and our horses up for success is the main thing.

If it were me OP, I'd probably only do 'proper' hacks in company for now, and practice going out alone in hand for short distances. Practice lots of start and stop cues, observe how your horse is feeling and if they are 'with you' and grounded in themselves, or if they are stressed and anxious. Just take it slow and don't expect much to start with, eventually move onto sitting on your horse again when you feel that the training has progressed. 5 months is not a long time, you are both still getting to know each other, maybe it is just too soon to be going out solo.

I'd also just patch it up with the other rider on your yard, tell them that you are sorry, it was an accident and you didn't expected your horse to become so anxious about them riding past, say thanks for their help getting back to the yard safely.

 

[dogatemysalad]

Georgie's mum! I am upset at the response you have had to your post. If it had been me then I would have stayed with you and merrily hacked back with you to the yard at a nice gentle pace. I was hacking along the road some time ago when in the distance coming towards me was a rider who's horse was playing up big time and I could see that she was having serious problems controlling it, so I offered to turn round and hack back with her to ensure that she got back home safely, which she was most grateful for. The rider concerned was an experienced competitive rider riding as it turned out a new young horse. I wish you luck with your horse and no doubt you will learn under the guidance of your instructor how to prevent your horse from zooming off.

I agree with you there. More than once, over the years I've seen another rider having a sticky moment and I've always waited to see that they were OK or, if appropriate, offer to ride with them. Similarly, other riders have done the same for me. I can't imagine trotting off when someone is struggling.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

If I met someone out hacking who was struggling I wouldn't trot off or leave them it's a pretty selfish and dangerous thing to do, I would like to think everyone can get into a sticky situation and I would like to think if it were me I would be grateful of the help.