Nerves! Hacking a new horse for first time, help!

Clofox

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So, theres a pony at the yard i'm at who needs a rider (her owner went to uni and gave her to YO), now as im the only shorty on the yard, i've nominated myself, ive been lunging her with tack on and jumped on her on Sunday in the school, she was very well behaved and although i was nervous i was very pleased and fairly confident by the end. The pony has been on the yard for many years and is apparently a very good hacker, tomorrow im taking her on her 1st hack in a long time, im going with two other riders and two horses of whom have been a the yard as long as she has, i have never seen her ridden out before as her owner left before i arrived. The ride should take approx 40mins. I'm sitting here dreading it! Im looking forward to riding out with the others as due to 2 of us riding the same pony its inpossible but if i can crack this wee girl we can all go together which will be lovely, i have bouts of confidence(which shortly disapeer!) can anyone give me some confidence boosters?! Heads up?! Do's and dont's or just some words of wisdom! Anything!
Thank you!
 
keep chatting.. If your talking your breathing which should keep you relaxed and pony also. Enjoy. Hacking is fun x
 
Im good at that! Can talk for England me! I dont think shes been out hackin for about 2 years and her fitness level isnt great so she should get knackered! ( hopefully) Eepp...
 
Im good at that! Can talk for England me! I dont think shes been out hackin for about 2 years and her fitness level isnt great so she should get knackered! ( hopefully) Eepp...
 
Second what has already been said, chat chat chat! Take things slowly, at least the two you're going with understand your situation. Let us know how you get on!
 
Well guys, it didn't happen! The lady i was riding out with was poorly and the other one didn't come down till later:( but i still rode her in the arena! She's so so so so so sensitive in the mouth and even getting a bridle on evolves rearing and backing up, she was well behaved, although there was a few debates on direction in which she threatened me with a rear, later,we decided to go my way round:p we had a lovely canter and left the ride on a good note! The hack will be going ahead Friday, Saturday or Sunday, will let you know how we get on x
 
You will be fine. Sit and enjoy the scenery, nosing into everyones gardens and yes definitely talk to yourself(or the horse). Am sure the horse will love it than going round in circles. Ground should be good with all this rain now. Loved riding in the winter time best time of year. Wear some gloves too.
 
Ok guys... I did it!! :D
So i arrived at the yard this afternoon bought her in and gave her a groom, me and my friend both tacked up, saddle on fine.. And.. Bridle on, fine!! with no rearing or backing up!! I jump on for the 1st time outside of the arena and she was fine. Almost as soon as we walked into the woods, she was leading, and we bumped into a family with 3 little'ens, i thought "uh-oh" but no! We stopped, looked and carried on! Then the yard doggy came running into the woods!! We stopped waited for someone to collect her and headed off again! We reached out 1st bridge, in which just before we bumped into about 8 horses:o Crossed the bridge which had a very fast flowing river under it with no problem! We had a lil trot and then walked, we bumped into more horses, no problem, we then went for a canter.. Every puddle we reached she either stopped dead or jumped it as though it were a 3ft spread!! After our canter stretch came to an end i attempted to slow her into a walk.. *attempt* it was more of an extremly bouncey forward walk/trot!! When cantering it was fairley easy to get her into a trot and she didnt seem too sensitive, it was only when trotting and trying to walk she became more sensitive. We arrived back at the yard all sweaty, muddy, smelly and ... SMILEY! A fantastic ride that started of nerve racking and ended up on the best note ever! Her little fluffy ears were pricked forward the whole ride and she occasionley slipped into a natural outline as she does! So with my confidence slowly rising, riding experiance and level going up, i have found myslef a new challenge, along side my gorgeous fluffy loan pony who i love to bits,was a great compainion providing a flawless ride for the other ponys first time out in a long time instantley boosting my confidence and Tiffs! I wouldn't been able to do it without the help of everyone on the yard for there pep talks abd giving me this oppitunity! A Massive thank you to the lady that had to put up with me stopping dead infront of her due to Tiff wantingto walk the puddles *rollseyes* for helping me and taking me out and of course my loan pony who was the perfect pony as always and of Tiff... For being so well behaved (although at times she thought she was a TB!!) for behaving for me! And to all you guys for your tips!

Something so small as a hack but as you can tell, it means so much to me and im very proud of myself and Tiff *wub*
Thank you for all your tips!
 
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