Horse wanting to catch up with others on a hack

[SaddlePsych'D]

Expectations are a funny thing. I once watched someone who had just stepped out of the yard gates on a sensitive, sporty mare about to head onto the road, when the hunt came past. And it was A LOT of horses! All in trot, right round the yard and in front of where they were standing. We could see her head bobbing over the gate with the bunny hops but they stayed in the one spot, then when the hunt had all passed off they went the other way as planned. I think we could all understand this horse wanting to join the (very big) party but her rider had absolutely no intention of joining the hunt that day!

I had a couple of hacking lessons with this person and I am sure if I had been in a position to continue them I would be a much better, more confident, and safer rider for it. Perhaps OP there is someone who could accompany you on hacks to help your horse's confidence as well as teach you how to react/handle situations like this? It's great that you are seeking advice but your instructor's attitude to the situation is doing you a disservice if your aim is to learn how to stop this happening again.

 

[JFTDWS]

PS *waves at JFTDWS* I thought it was you replying to my thread the other day but your reply was far too sensible so wasn't sure I'd remembered the right acronym! Looking forward to much more lowering of the tone with sword innuendos & to reenactment & archery pics (preferably reenactment WITH archery or is that not allowed for H&S reasons?)

Did you just say I'm not sensible?! I'll have you know when I'm not twonking people with swords or shooting arrows through my horses' ears, I'm a very sane and sensible human being, honest!

I know people do combat archery in living history fighting, but I'm not sure anyone I've met will consent to let me pelt them with arrows from horseback. But sure, I can always ask

 

[ycbm]

twonking people with swords

There you go again ???

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

I'm poorly today so down the YouTube rabbit hole looking for videos around confidence and stumbled on this one which made me think of this thread... a bit more on expectations!

It also reminded me of the time someone I was out hacking with properly snapped at me for the crime of trotting past their horse (it was more of a shuffle really and I wasn't trotting 'off' anywhere) and I felt at the time I'd been really out of order but now I am not so sure! This person did spend quite a lot of hacking time being peeved at various things and people for existing.

I'm not suggesting this is the exercise to do btw, more pointing out the expectation/attitude thing again and I think finding exercises or 'games' to train and prepare for things is a really appealing way to build confidence (a mindset shift for 'Dr I'm a Nervous Rider' aka SaddlePsych'D too!)

 

[Winters100]

Disagree I’ve (I hope) always been extremely apologetic if Ive done anything stupid with my horse around someone else
Young people can still have manners! Even tho it’s less common

This is something which will stand you in good stead for your whole life. The ability to recognise our own mistakes, and to apologise sincerely, without making excuses or blaming others, is something that rightly earns a great deal of respect. Well done you.

 

[JBM]

This is something which will stand you in good stead for your whole life. The ability to recognise our own mistakes, and to apologise sincerely, without making excuses or blaming others, is something that rightly earns a great deal of respect. Well done you.

Thank you so kind of you to say ?