MONDAY MORNING RANT - CONFIDENCE NOW V LOW- BUT NOT DUE TO A HORSE!

Just a quick question - is there a need to take him out by himself when neither of you enjoy it? We never hack our horses out of the yard by themselves (although they are expected to go round the fields by themselves if we ask them to). Is there a field you can ride in rather than going on the road? I am just not sure why you are pressurising yourselves unless you really have to.

I can see why the YO OH was a bit grumpy as they may well have beenin the middle of something important and to call both of them away from the yard for something that was totally avoidable was probably what set him off. He probably didn't mean to be that harsh so don't take it to heart. He may have been worried that you were ina dangerous situation and was cross with relief (i.e. parents yelling at their children when they come in late at night when they think they will never see them again!)

Lots of questions there - will be interested to see some of the answers and whether any of us can offer any more advice.
 
Im with FMM on this. Its totally un natural to expect a horse to go away from home on its own and those who have horses willing to hack out by themselves are a) lucky and b) in the minority.

It can take many months to get a horse to the stage where you can just toddle of on your own and do different routes each time, sometimes some horses can never actually cope with this. That and the fact that most hacking routes are now fraught with added vehicle dangers I think you would be very wise to buddy up with someone else who has a nice steady experience horse and get your OWN confidence up before trying to go it alone again.

I can see why your YO was cross with you, tbh I would have been as well although I dont think Id have put things quite so harshly!

Take things slowly and if you really arent gaining confidence together in company then perhaps pay an instructor to hack your horse out for you for a few months or consider that your poartnership with this particular horse just isnt the right one.
 
I think perhaps you have rushed things too. Take a few steps back and start again. Don't hack on your own yet - certainly do not do any routes that he is'nt 110% happy with in company out in front leading the way!
Keep him in company, get him out in front and build his confidence. Rush things now and you run the risk of having an accident and ruining any chance you have of building his confidence out and about.
 
Sorry but i agree! Nervous riders and nervous horses shouldnt mix, it does nothing for the horses confidence and nothing for the riders confidence. Sounds like this horse is in need of someone with a bit more experience, as you have said your YO can ride him places where you cannot, if it were me id be seriously wondering whether i was right for the horse........sorry
 
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those who have horses willing to hack out by themselves are a) lucky and b) in the minority.

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Really?? I'm really suprised you think that tbh. Provided a horse receives a decent education I can't see why most horses wouldn't hack on their own. Granted there is always the the exception - and I am generalising. But really can't see why you think that.......
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those who have horses willing to hack out by themselves are a) lucky and b) in the minority.

Really?? I'm really suprised you think that tbh. Provided a horse receives a decent education I can't see why most horses wouldn't hack on their own. Granted there is always the the exception - and I am generalising. But really can't see why you think that.......


Yep got to agree, i dont know many horses that are a pain to take out alone.......
 
I really do feel for you, this is not a nice situation to be in, but people are right, nervous riders and nervous horses do not go together no matter how you try. I understand that you love this horse to bits but sometimes we have to do things for the good of the horse and yourself.

Although the YO's OH was a little harsh, I can understand where he was coming from, he may have been in the middle of something and it was also Monday, everyone's a little more touchy on a Monday. Perhaps next time you want to try to hack alone, you could just check with your YO/OH that they can spare a few moments if you should get into difficulty - the chances are they will say that it is fine, but it is just nice to be asked first.

Chin up
xx
 
I think the difference is how confident the rider is. Some horses hack out with anyone on board by themselves, and others, which hack out alone quite happily with one rider, turn into nervous wrecks with other riders.

I believe most horses are happier hacking out with a companion.
 
my horse is happy in company and will not spook in company now take him on his own and it is doable he will go round but has a few jumps sometimes its just not worht the risk i rarely ride out on my own as horses are herd animals after all.

No one is picking at you i think it would be a wise idea to sit down and think wether this relationship is going to work! If you want to hack out on your own its not going to if your happy following then keep him but please be careful.
 
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OK OK!!!! everyone - i get the message!!!!
no more repies please - am now in tears - will seriously think about selling and getting a bike!!!!

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Don't do it!
Getting a bike that is...some of them are not well schooled either....think of how many cyclists you know that have been bucked off.
Stay indoors in a darkened room - it's the safest plan.
S
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OK OK!!!! everyone - i get the message!!!!
no more repies please - am now in tears - will seriously think about selling and getting a bike!!!!

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Don't do it!
Getting a bike that is...some of them are not well schooled either....think of how many cyclists you know that have been bucked off.
Stay indoors in a darkened room - it's the safest plan.
S
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Quite right S! I have been bucked off a bike - I kid you not! This is entirely possible if you only have brakes on the front
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Sorry, have caused a bit of confusion here....and sparked a poll!

What I meant to infer was that most horses starting off hacking do not do so very willingly as in babies or inexperienced ones.

I do know a few who have taken to hacks by themselves right from the very start but they are in the minority.
 
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What I meant to infer was that most horses starting off hacking do not do so very willingly as in babies or inexperienced ones.

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Ah, yes, of course I totally agree with you on that one.
 
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Perhaps bikes are herd animals too...we just didn't realise it?
After all, you often see them clustered in groups...and they hide in sheds together?
S
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All I know is that that damn bike hated me..............................and the feeling was reciprocated
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Maybe I should have done some parelli with it. As It was I shoved it in a barn and ignored it - it's probably still there, rusting to death
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Why does everyone stick their nose in?!?!!?
I think you shouldn't take the compliments to heart, maybe he was having a bad day, its not really his place to say that kind of thing!!

x x
 
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