How to teach a horse to hack out alone??

I took a nappy little sh*t bag of a pony out alone, sit up, sit firm, leg ready, whip in hand. He would use everything as an excuse to rear, spin or try to piss off, it was pretty much about being one step ahead of him and stopping every scheme before he started. However he wasn't the usual....!!
 
well my boys first ever hack was on his own and i was equiped with the following

*a bloody loud voice
*a firm leg which never left his side
*encouraging pats at brave dealing with scary objects!

oh and alot of "come on sacha, he's going fine, just a little bit further,.... come on deep breath"
 
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As title never had to do this before? Any tips

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Has it been hacked out regularly in company and is it good in traffic?
 
Ours boys were long reined out with someone walking on foot beside them with them a few times, then long reined with someone riding in front, and occassionally dropping back so they were in front, we then progressed to long reining in front of other horse for the whole hack.
Then we took them out long reining on their own.

Once backed we followed exactly the same routine as long reining and it all went well! A few times Felix has tried to spook and go back but as mentioned by others a loud voice, strong legs and lots of patting when they go forward!

If they are spooking make them stand rather than kicking to make them go forward. Give them a chance to look then ask them to walk on quietly. It may take several small steps but everytime they go forward pat them. Gradually they will learnt that going forward is good and going back never gets then anywhere!!
 
Dont make a big deal about it, make sure theyre used to going in front round the whole ride, follow a route well known to them and just praise with the voice.
I find they may neigh a little and have one or two insecure moments but I've never had a problem with one I've done myself.
 
My friend used to make her own event horses and sell some on the side. She always said the first hack was done with her Mum or Sister walking along to give the horse some comfort.

After that they had to go on their own. She used a firm voice and always carried a stick in case they changed their minds.

It is very important that you are relaxed. If you are tense, the horse will pick it up and worry.
 
BABY: Have someone walking with you on ground and go somewhere they know and enjoy (if happy ask walker to stay put and you carry on, but they keep coming just incase). Ours are long-reined round short hacks that they do when backed. Make lots of praise too.
OLD GIT: If this is an older horse thats just being a pain (ie happy to hack with others but not on own), as said before don't let him get away with anything and always be one step ahead and keep doing it until he gives in
Good Luck
 
I know there are quite a few people who disagree with this but I took Bodey out in hand on the roads on his own before hacking him. I took a massive pocket full of treats and every time he looked a bit unsure/spooky a treat came out, and as he is a very foody horse his attention was right back on me. I also did this once I start hacking him out on my own, I only had to put my hand on my pocket and Bodey had forgotten about whatever he was spooking at and was waiting for his treat. It may not work for other horses but it worked for me and Bodey.
 
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Dont make a big deal about it, make sure theyre used to going in front round the whole ride, follow a route well known to them and just praise with the voice.
I find they may neigh a little and have one or two insecure moments but I've never had a problem with one I've done myself.

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This is exactly what I do, take them out a few times with a 'nanny' then on a fairly short hack (which they are familiar with) on their own. I have never had any problems, if you make as easy as possible then you should be ok.
 
I just keep my leg on mine! Trot most of the way round, nice and steady, nothing stupid as it is harder for him to whip round when he is trotting and I take him out with other horses, go off in front and then they catch you up. Lots of praise and a body protector just in case
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make sure they are happy to walk all the way round at the front with others, personally i wouldnt try taking them on their own til they will happily do this. then once mine was happy doing this i would school him then take him for a relaxed ride round and reassure him all the way
 
with my 4yo he hacked out in company a few times, and then my mum walked with me for a few weeks. then one day i just decided to take him, didnt make a big deal out of it, went on a known route, and just pondered along.
be encouraging, yet firm, and let him take his time to look at things and work things out
im sre youll have a great time
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