How to get over lack of hacking confidence?

[Supertrooper]

I'm getting myself worked out about hacking out on the shire x that I share (he is my best friends but she can't ride at the moment due to health problems). We have owned him since September and were initially riding him two to three times a week and he was going ok either on his own with someone walking with him or with my friends veteran pony.

Due to the weather like everyone else he hasn't been out for nearly two months and we really need to get him going again but I've lost all my confidence in him, I think I'll be fine once I'm on him but when I think about hacking him I dwell on all the what if's!! He isn't a nasty horse but lacks confidence for such a big lad (16.3hh) he has a habit of planting his feet but when he has done it he never gives me the feeling of going up, which is a blessing. I'm just not sure what the best way to deal with it is as don't want to knock his confidence, just build it up.

I've met up with a local lady who I can hack with but would also like to feel I could get him out on my own. He did hack out solo in his last home but he obviously knew all the routes round there so I know it can be done. I've also asked my instructor to hack him out once a week or so as he used to ride him in the past so knows him. As I say he isn't nasty but sensitive and very very stubborn and uses his size and strength against you!

Any tips much appreciated xx

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

IMO the advantage of bigger horses is that actually they cba to do anything which takes too much effort, so are unlikely to buck or rear. The disadvantage is that they cba to do anything which takes too much effort!
When my IDx decides to plant her feet, I have found that touching her with a schooling whip, which was my first instinct, just makes her resentful. Now if I wave the brightly coloured whip in her line of sight she will move forward. This works both from on top and on the ground.
If you feel that your horse lacks confidence because he doesn't know the routes well, why not lead or long-rein him to familiarise him with a hack, then ride it immediately afterwards?
This should build your confidence and his.

 

[LeneHorse]

Could you maybe get someone to come with you on foot the first couple of times? It's amazing how it boosts your confidence knowing there is someone on foot beside you who can hold on to him if he gets excited. My friend and I did this when we'd both lost our confidence. We'd take it in turns to ride and walk.
Also, start with small goals like riding to the end of the farm road and back, and gradually build up to longer rides. I can sympathise as I'd lost my hacking confidence and am only slowly getting it back.
And I know some people on here won't agree, but if he's being seriously nappy, just get off and lead him past the problem (though I appreciate getting back on something his size would be a bit of a challenge!)

 

[debsflo]

get someone on foot or a bike to go out with you a few times just to get back in the swing of things the start off very small preferably in a little circuit and build up to longer rides. i agree this bad weather and break in work has been hard .were just bringing our hyper mare back into work and dreading it.

 

[HollyB66]

........ I've met up with a local lady who I can hack with .....

^^^^^ Do this ^^^^^

Then when you are both hacking out in company with confidence, start with smaller mini hacks with someone on the ground and moving on to 'true solo' hacks as your confidence grows.

Good luck, hacking is such a perfect way to spend quality time with your horse