I am a wuss! Do you worry about hacking out solo!?

m3gan

m3gan

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Does anyone else worry before they go for a hack on their own?

Since my boy had an accident 9 months ago,( which was not while I was even on him!) and then about 4 months ago he went down on his hocks with me and I thought he was going to rear, he has not done that again! But it has made me wary, which I was not previously.

I think the naughty behaviour was down to the fact that I had someone else ride him who let him canter towards home, something I never let him do.
He then gets impatient and assumes he can do that every time.

That person does not ride him anymore, but I think that caused the problem initially.

Trouble is that this still worries me when I go out on my own. I really want to be able to hack out further and not worry, but my anxieties get in the way!

Any tips would be most welcome.
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Is there anyone sensible you could hack out with for a while to get your confidence back up, or to meet you half way so you build up the time you are on your own for?
 
nah i don't worry about it personally though my TB can be quite nappy, i'd say go out with someone else til you've got enough confidence incase you meet anything worrying and make it worse for yourself and your ned, then just start going out on your own on short routes building up to longer ones with your confidence.
 
I do have someone who can come with me but not all the time, ( that sounds so pathetic!)

The other problem is that their horse is very spooky and he is my boys field companion, I wonder if said field companions behaviour could possibly be making my boys behaviour worse? Or I might be picking up on the owners nerves ?

Sometimes it feels when we ride out together that the two horse are competing to see who can spook the most!!







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Yeah I think possibly because `i have felt a bit nervy I have not been working him as much as I should have on a hack and he has been taking the p*** a bit, so the time has come for a bit of what they call tough love in childcare terms, that is make him do what I wan't! Not put up with his spooky sillyness!
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For the days you have no-one to ride with, could you not try schooling him for his usual session. So he will be more tired and listening to you, also you will know you both only have to manage a short time out alone. Then just take him out for 5-10 mins to cool off at the end. Then gradually reduce the schooling and increase the hacking.
 
I do have a bit of a worry and sometimes like today when it was windy, i chicken out and school instead. It makes me feel better once im out though and get him past the first few spooks and my confidence returns.

Good luck!!
 
A year ago I wouldn't have even thought of it - spent /years/ at RSs etc so never had the opportunity and never wanted it. Now I hack a spooky Arab alone most weeks, we even occasionally go along the side of a major A-road :-)

Do whatever makes you comfy at first, for me that is
- hi-viz on roads
- letting someone know where we're going/when to expect a call (actually I don't always do this now we're on a busier yard)
- taking a phone (on silent to avoid spooky ring noises!)
- going at a pace that is suitable for the ground, area, horse's and my moods.
- not getting lost!

Only push yourself when you get to feel more confident and take it in little steps.

Having said that at some point I'd make an effort to teach your horse to canter towards home under control. You can try that in company first or perhaps after a few days of hacking then schooling so he knows he's rushing to more work not food/turn out! It will be good for both of you :-)
 
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