Pony is very bad with hacking out alone, any creative ideas?

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horseless jorge!

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So, I'm now loaning Sam, an 8yo Welsh sec. C, and he's such an affectionate, wonderful pony, until you ask him to do something he doesn't want to do. We've been working on schooling, having canters in the field, and have just started a little jumping. It's all gone well, broncing fits have slowly got less numerous, and he's getting a lot more responsive to me.

However, I hacked him out for the first time on his own today. This is not the first time on his own ever, just the first time in a long time. We usually either hack out with someone walking or other horses, and he never puts a foot wrong, isn't generally spooky or silly.

Well, today all went differently. I tacked him up and walked him down to the gate, opened the gate, went out, locked the gate and got on. He was fine for the first three/ four steps, and then just stopped. I knew this was going to happen, so I asked him to walk on, softened my hand and just started chatting to him. He just went backwards. So I kept asking, and after a couple of seconds or so, he took a couple of steps forward and I though YES! Then he stopped again. Backwards we went, again.
He didn't feel particularly tense, or scared, just simply stubborn. Well, I kept asking with me leg, keeping soft hands, and we just went backwards, sideways, anything but forwards. I gave him a tap with the whip, and where I'd normally get a buck and a bit of a grumpy shoot forwards, I got nothing. Not a grunt, not even more backwards movement. It was literally like there was a glass wall moving him backwards.

He did eventually get tense and jumpy, and as we were edging closer and closer to an awfully big road, I jumped off and led him forwards. I had to give him a smack with the whip to move him on, and he walked perfectly happy with me next to him. So I stopped at a layby, a few steps on, got back on and he was fine. Again, we got to some scary trees and we stopped. Had to get back off, walk him through the trees, then get back on. We walked up the road, turned round and came home, walking through the scary trees without much of an issue.

Hmm, I can't help but feel a little disheartened maybe. Is it the fact that he doesn't like leaving his mates? When we're at the gate, he can see them, but when we're at the layby he can't see them. Is it that he's not used to it? He hasn't been hacked out alone for nearly a year. His owner doesn't have too much confidence in him. Is it that he just doesn't trust me yet? I've only been riding him for about two months.

Gosh, HUGE thankyou and even HUGER piece of cake for anyone who's read it all!! :D xxx
 
its always safer to go out with somebody no matter what.

i think its a confidence issue and tbh mucking about on main roads isnt safe or fun.

try and get somebody to go with you riding and get yours to go in front as much as possible.if he stops and its safe sit it out or turn him in small circles.

just dont risk your safety on the roads.
 
I do understand that I should always be hacking out with someone, but there's three people around me who I have to hack to get to, so I can then go along with them. And, sometimes I don't like schooling in the field, sometimes I just want to go for a relaxing ride down the road haha.
 
Our pony is a bit like this. Utterly stubborn.

Don't loose your temper. Just quietly keep asking them to go forward and never let him win. Start on little hacks (5 minutes out and 5 minutes back) and slowly build the loop.

This worked for our pony and 90% of the time she's ok on her own. Out of the blue she will suddenly start it again, and you just need to maintain your firmness that she will move forward.
 
MissSBird said:
Our pony is a bit like this. Utterly stubborn.

Don't loose your temper. Just quietly keep asking them to go forward and never let him win. Start on little hacks (5 minutes out and 5 minutes back) and slowly build the loop.

This worked for our pony and 90% of the time she's ok on her own. Out of the blue she will suddenly start it again, and you just need to maintain your firmness that she will move forward.
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I haven't totally lost my temper with him yet, haha, but he pushes me!! :O
I took him out ten minutes today, but the thing I'm getting at is, did I do the right thing getting off and walking him a few steps, then getting back on? So glad some else has a stubborn 'un! ;D
 
Have you ever tried long reining? Obviously you would need someone with you whilst practising etc but it is very effective for teaching them to go on
 
my big girl is not particularly keen to hack alone, she may be big but she's not brave lol:rolleyes: her favourite evasion is to reverse, so i make her back up more which she hates so then we go forward;) I think you should build up your distance so that you push them past their comfort point just a little each time.
I don't see a problem with getting off and leading as long as you can get back on ok, i can't do that on 17hh at my age lol:o
 
I started hacking out my 5yr old on his own after a number of weeks with another horse/walker. There are not always people to ride out with so had to start somewhere. He was very nappy, often planted himself, refused to go forwards and his best trick was to run backwards. He is not scared, just being naughty. If I asked him to go forwards with leg he would threaten to go up. It took me 15mins to get him up one road once (luckily its country lanes). I have found the only way to stop him running backwards was to turn him sideways on the road, he would then spin facing back home direction. When he then choses to go backwards he is going in the direction I want ;)
 
OneInAMillion ; I offered up the idea of long reining him to his owner, she says he's even worse. Instead of going backwards it's just a half an hour long explosion of rearing, bucking, twisting etc.
Though I'd still give it a try.

Ibblebibble ; I may try pushing him further backwards! That's not something I've thought of. If he does rear, it's not high anyway, and he's a fairly balanced pony, so no danger of going over backwards lol.
I do only take him a couple of steps past the point of getting scared. And yes, we have NO problem getting back on at 13.3hh!! :)

horse_lover ; I like the idea of getting him to go backwards the way I want to go. ;D

Some great ideas here, thankyou to all.
 
How about getting someone on a bike to go in front, get him started then they can put a bigger distance between you until much further ahead. Then you could try with them behind you, gradually dropping back. make it a gradual learning curve. Might be worth a try.
 
I have read this post with a lot of interest. I took my just 5yo out on our first hack on our own today and he tried to spin 6 times! (i counted!), After losing my nerve on him when i first got him as a 3yo, i found it really hard not to get off! I didn't want him to think that if he is naughty i will get off as don't want this to encourage him.
I felt very pleased with myself when we finally got home and sooo relieved.
I think that consistency is the key, the more we do with them on their own, the better they will get?
That's what i tell myself anyway, hope it's true
Kate x
 
Do what you did that last time. My mare wasn't used to hackiing alone (ex racehorse). She did the reversing, spinning etc. I rode til she stopped, got off and walked with her, and just kept doing that. I would then ride all the way home. We did this for a while and then I was riding further each time until she just went 'oh ok then' and that was it. No problem now. More on her toes than with company but she is ok, especially on the way home lol. I found it better than getting into a fight, you both just get wound up and it serves no purpose. Someone said that I should get off as that is what she wants, but it wasn't, she just didn't want to leave her mates. Taking someone on foot served no purpose because she would go quite happily then, that served as company for her, we had to do it alone. I love a solo hack, just me and my horse, best feeling.
Keep going, just takes patience. Good Luck x
 
IMO sounds like he doesn't have sufficient trust in you yet to be comfortable on his own out hacking. Sounds as though you're on the right track though. Getting off and leading him past will show him that there's nothing to worry about and you should gradually be able to go further each time. You could also try taking someone with you on foot a couple of times - they can then lead him on if he starts backing up again while you continue to ask him to go forwards from the saddle. This should help re-inforce the idea that he has to listen to you, without you needing to put too much pressure on him. Even if he's just being naughty I would always try a non-confrontational approach like this first. Putting more pressure on them often just escalates the undesirable behaviour. I may be coming across as 'soft' but I do think that this type of issue usually has a reason behind it - in this case I would assume a lack of confidence. Good luck with him, I'm sure you'll end up with a good partnership. :)
 
Kate; I definitely agree, the more he goes out on his own the better he will get. I keep having to bear in mind that his owner (who has had him for four years) got him when she had all the experience of riding school ponies. Granted, she has done fantastically well, but she does seem to have a 'oh well, if he does naughty things then we'll just ignore it' type of approach. I've not really seen her punish him for biting etc. :/
But yes, he's 8 but like a youngster, not a lot of experience with being on his own or being with a confident rider.

Chetnuttymare; I think I will. I would have kept on at him, but he would have only reversed all the way onto the main road. :/ And yes, there would have been no point in getting more and more wound up, he wouldn't have gotten half as far the next time I got on.

Celia; I agree about the trust, he's just like this with his owner of four years, doesn't really trust her on the roads as far as I'm told. People come with us on foot all the time, and swear down he's a different pony haha. Doesn't put a foot wrong, at all.
 
Had same problem with my mare started off just going up the lane ten to fifteen foot then turning around and coming back. Did this for about an hour she would constantly plant and try and spin back to others, I used a wip whop far more effective than trying to sit it out as this did not sort the problem out. I kept bulding up the distance before turning her around, every time I felt slight resistance to stop I brought the whip whop into play. After this session she did try it onwith me on a few more occasions. I can now ride out and she no longer napps at all which is fantastic, as she has napped for the whole 4 years I have had her!
 
horseless jorge! said:
I haven't totally lost my temper with him yet, haha, but he pushes me!! :O
I took him out ten minutes today, but the thing I'm getting at is, did I do the right thing getting off and walking him a few steps, then getting back on? So glad some else has a stubborn 'un! ;D
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Well, personally I never ever get off a horse on the road unless the situation is totally calm and it's to open a gate. But that's because when hacking my first horse she refused to go past something. I dismounted to lead past and, out of the blue, she reared, pulled the reins from my hand and took off down the road from home.

Was the scariest thing I've ever experienced. She was fine, thank god, but it really made me realise that you have more control over them when on their backs than on the ground.

At the same time...you know your own horse. Not all horses are the silly flighty kind like that first one of mine, so I think you need to make a judgement call on it taking into account your horse's personality.
 
It amazes me those with young horses who expect their horse to face the big bad world for the first time, under saddle. It's a huge thing to expect of horse, esp a young one who's still getting to grips with being ridden. Most people spend months preparing their horse for having a rider on their back yet spend very little time preparing them for going out and about without a horsefriend to hold their hand, something most horses find far scarier than a rider.

Horse nap because they feel insecure for whatever reason. Sometimes they just don't want to do the work they're anticipating but mostly they're worried by what's ahead of them.

OP:first check your saddle it. Lots of broncing is NOT normal. It can also make them reluctant to hack as their saddle pinches when they tense,making them even more nervous.

Then take him out inhand. He initially needs the confidence of someone in front and you leading him, on your own, is a good stepping stone up from hacking in company. If he's not safe to lead then you've got more serious issues than napping on hacks!

Once he's confident inhand start hopping on part way round, and build up to riding the whole thing.

Many people don't appreciate what a big deal hacking actually is to a horse and it's something many horses need lots and lots of practise at. It takes months to produce a confident, talented jumper: it takes the same to produce a good, confident hacking horse.

I have a very nervous, sharp and girlypants horse who I literally spent 6months teaching to be a reliable, happy hacker. It was well worth the effort. The 4yr old has spent 2 YEARS preparing for it (in hand walks) and is the best hacking horse i've ridden in ages. Been under saddle a couple of months yet you could happily send your child out alone on him.:-D
 
I have a young horse which i started hacking out with recently.
To start with, my OH walked out with me, firstly just down the road and back, gradually building up to a small loop involving through a couple of fields.
Went i went on my own, i took my dogs (luckily country lanes), and as long as they were in front of her, she strode out really well. Caused a bit of a hiccup when they dissappeared into a field rabbitting!! But once they were under control again, we progressed reasonably nicely. Anytime she stopped and looked at anything, i just called back the dogs, and then sent them on again, and she would follow the forward movement.
Using this method, means i have been able to get her out more through the day, when there just is no one available to go out with.
 
I've introduced 2 young horses to hacking out alone- both very different.

Highland....used to stop and plant. Nothing worked apart from sitting there- sometimes for 20mins at a time- and rewarding him for every step forward he took. We became a novelty- dog walkers were used to us stood stationary in local bridlepaths:o Now he will go anywhere and do anything. Tried a wip-whop- did not a thing.Totally pointless.

Arab.....well. Lots of spinny-rearing pratting. He had a total lack of confidence which manifested in spectatular shape-throwing. So...I took him for in-hand walks. Stood by my yard entrance watching traffic go past for literally hours until both of us were bored. Mini rides around the crop field next to my yard where he could still see the other 2 horses. Gradually increased the distance away from the yard.....over time his confidence has increased and he trusts me. We now go out for proper hacks together....he has faced traffic, trains, bridges ( under and over) geese, dogs,prams,bicycle riders, joggers.....tents in front gardens- all fine. Manhole covers are still a bit scary.:rolleyes: I invested in a neck-strap and a balance strap although I don't need either any more its good to know they are there if needed. I've also gone out on hacks with my young daughter on her bike- which he loved.

Time and patience are the order of the day.....

Good luck- you will get there:D
 
ok a couple of' things for a start welsh ponies are know for there stubborn nature but they are cheeky with it and very in the know. They also can carry a good amount of weight and he wont have any trouble taking your lightweight plus a freind if need be they were bred for just that. Section C and D have very good bone and were bred to do most jobs on the farm plus take the farmer to church on sunday!

I think you did the right thing if getting on and off is not a problem then set a route in your mind and go for it if you have to get off to lead past then do so. I think you will find as time goes on he will get better.

In our time we have a quite a few welshy's most to drive and quite a few had issues with going forward but long reining is good, but you would need to be very confident and have some help.

It is always best to ride out in company but some folk dont have the people available when they are and sometimes you just want to chill out with your horse on your own. Keep going you will do fine.
 
Wow, such a lot of feedback! :D
Thankyou!

Welshcobabe ; He is incredibly cheeky, but once I have him doing something he's foot-perfect! He really knows how to please, and once he knows that I like him doing a certain thing, he really does try his hardest to stick to it. I will be getting off next time he goes backwards I imagine, I don't want him going upwards and over.

Poppymoo ; He does a mix of both haha! Spinning and planting, but mostly going backwards! Once we're away from the other horses, he's actually fine. Time and patience are two things I'm good with, and prepared for.

horsesforcourses ; Ooh good idea, taking the dog! My dog's VERY good with commands, and very road and horse savvy. Horse is also good with dog, so we may be onto a winner.

Kallibear ; His saddle fits perfectly, his teeth are fine, I assure you. They were checked only a couple of months ago. He has been preparing or hacking on his own, being hand walked and ridden with other, for four years. I just don't know what else to do, I can't long rein him as he just doesn't long rein on the roads.

MisSbird ; I don't ever get off if I'm in a field on a horse that I know will run away at any given moment. But I weighed up my options, close to a main road, he was getting tighter and tenser, I knew if he exploded into a bucking broncing fit, he'd run if I came off. So I got off, and simply walked him into the scary place. Then got back on. All went well in my opinion haha!
 
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