How do I become a more confident & happy hacker?

SavingGrace

SavingGrace

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OK for those of you who don’t know me I am owned by a young Section D x Dutch Warmblood mare. Now although I would say I am a fairly experienced rider when it comes to bringing on and schooling horses I lack that all important confidence when it comes to hacking out.. Now I know its not my mare as I have a girl who shares her 2 days a week who is uber confident (and an uber fantastic sharer) and has very minimal baby brat moments from my mare but they are nothing a sharp kick and a loud ‘oi’ don’t resolve… When I hack her out on her own I just go to pieces I get myself in such a state with all the ‘what if’s’ I KNOW it affects my little mare and I KNOW its all in my head but how do I get over that mental block?? This a mare whom I brought on from being newly backed myself and I will walk, trot, canter and jump in a schooling environment with no issues at all. I also hacked her out most of last summer on my own with no issues but right now there is just a brick wall that is made with bricks that has WHAT IF written on them… Is just because I am getting old or is this something I can get over? Thanks in advance xx
 
I am an over thinker and also get plauged by the 'what ifs' like you! They were also holding back my riding. In the end I went for hypnotherapy. Wish I had gone sooner as it def helped alot, but I was rather suspicious of the whole idea. It isn't a magical fix where you walk out suddenly a really confident person, but it helped my outlook (I'm very positive but lack confidence) and gave me tools to use when in situations that caused me to lack confidence. Very very helpful and has also benefited me in other areas too. If poss see if you can get a recommendation, but if not most people give you a first session for free where you can discuss what you hope to get from it, the person will let you know the process and you can see if you gel with them too.
Hope you get it sorted, gutting when something like this holds us back, esp when we can logically see there is no prob to be scared of!
 
I feel for you, being a nervous solo hacker myself, but some things have helped me persevere, so hope they help. My girlie Ive had to hack right from breaking her in as I got her unbroken.

I know everyone goes on about pictures of success and neuro whatsit programming, but that doesnt do anything for me. Instead I acknowledge the possibility of scary thing happening, but rather than just panicking at that thought, I try to then think OK so what would you do if that did happen, and how would you cope with it. eg if the scary thing was a massive rattling tractor bearing down on us, I would try to think, ok I would get off and find a field gateway and wait til it had gone past. Just not letting myself stop at the scary point!

I also find it helps to regard the hack as not a routine ride which I should be fine about but am not, but as an expedition with my horse. That way, the fact that Im finding it scary becomes 'normal' and therefore ok, rather than a complete indictment of my inability to cope with stuff others can do easily.

I also take some bits and bobs with me, mobile obviously, but also a little first aid kit, lots of baler twine lengths, and make sure I am well padded so that I am less worried about falls. And very very hi viz so that if I fall off I can ber spotted easily!

Lastly with a young mare you have more of a chance of communicating with than with an older gelding, and that does help! Your Oi will mean something! And I found with my young mare that the fact she was green and worried by things made me find some balls and say OK I have to be brave for her and if I am she will be all the better horse for me her whole life long. It worked, weirdly, I guess cos I didnt expect her to be perfect and then be really shocked when she wasnt.

good luck with the hacking, I hope some of the above might help a bit! People say 'I just hack' but in fact thats the most daring riding of all, esp solo hacking!
 
Why not try getting a body protector to make you feel safer?
Also you could try asking someone else to come out with you; such as a friend walking or on a bike.
Good luck :)
 
Have you got a friend you could hack with? Obviously the mare will gain confidence from a more experienced horse, but it takes your mind off worrying too if you have a friend to chat to as you walk along.

Also try setting yourself quite simple goals. My horse was very spooky as a youngster and would spin 180 degrees at the slightest thing. I did the same hack, a short one, every day so we both got used to it and only when we could cope with that did I try a new route. I always went somewhere new with a friend first, then tried it on my own. I never hacked on an empty stomach either - him not me! - as I always think a belly half full of hay meant most of the blood in his system was tied up with his stomach, not rushing round his body transporting adrenalin. Not sure this has any scientific basic, but I always feel relaxed when I have eaten something :) If you are just walking on a hack with the odd trot, it won't be a problem. And don't feel you have to trot anywhere at this stage. Walking is fine.

If I spot a potential spook or problem, rather than getting tense and cross with him I now let my horse stop and suss out a situation before I encourage him to walk on and confront the danger. There's plenty of time and sometimes he needs to take it all in. If it's too much then I will avoid it where possible - no point putting yourself in danger. There's always another day to confront a concrete lorry in full flow!

Hope that helps!
 
thats great thanks xx body protecter make me feel even more insecure i'm afraid x

She is a really lovely little mare but she feels my lack of confidence... I will get there I am sure definitely going to put some of the advise from on here into practice xx
 
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