Riding Alone, Should I risk it?

Shantara

Shantara

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I was asked to go on the hunt on saturday, but I don't agree, so I asked if I could take Ned in the school instead. His owner said I could, unless someone else wants him and so far, no one does (Understandably, he's a nutter on hunts!)

My only issue is, no one will be there, not a soul! He's a spooky horse and the school is still scary to him. He often calms down after being lead around and shown everything, but he's still obviously capable of spooking and having me off (not happened yet, *touch wood* but it could!)

Would you risk it? If I can't persuade anyone to come with me, I might just keep him company and do a bit of grooming.
 
Flatwork yes, jumping no.

I regularly ride on my own, I know my horse inside out but it doesn't mean that he's not going to get me off if he really wanted to!

If you are really worried about the 'what if's' you could phone your mum (or whoever) before you get on and say I should be done within x amount of time and will phone you when I have finished. Think that's the best way just incase.
 
personally even on my very steady non spooky lazy lump of a horse i have i dont ride without anyone there as you dont know what could happen but then thats what im like im the same with hacking always say where im going and how long im going to be

i often dont take any of the horses up the yard alone either just because both of them are sometimes stupid on the yard so im not risking getting kicked or breaking something when im alone as there is nothing i will be able to do :o
 
Yea, :) I was going to stick to flat work. He needs to work on his trot (He's an ex pacer) so I probably wouldn't even get into canter.

That's a good idea about phoning! My mother said she /might/ come with me, but she's on meds which make her feel a bit iffy, so it's unlikely.

I quite often rode Archie by myself, but he's going on the hunt and is 99% safe in the school. Ned, on the other hand, he gets very very strong when going towards the fence overlooking his field, he so almost jumped it the first time I took him in there!! (My fault, it didn't occour to me to walk him around in-hand before :P)

We'll see, I don't really mind not riding, but I almost want to prove it to myself that I can do it alone.


EDIT: StormyMoments - I'm the same! I'm almost just as worried staying there grooming him as I would be riding, he tends to swing his rear end around when he's nervous. It's not aimed at me, but if he managed to push me over...not good.
Usually his owner would be in the house, she has CCTV that over looks the school and the area I groom him, so I've always got someone watching, just incase...however, she won't be there, not even her sons will be there.

I suppose getting my brother to walk the dog near by with his mobile on is an option...
 
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I used to jump Archie a lot by myself, he was so steady and in the years I rode him, he never once spooked or did anything nasty. I Kinda miss riding him :P But the younger kids and less experienced are thrown on him now.
 
Depends on the horse really. With a horse that is unpredictable, I wouldn't. Not because its bothers me, but because its prudent to have someone around, even if they aren't watching.
 
I'm a 'school novice'

I do ride with a group in the school quite often, but this would be my 4th time in there with no other horses and being alone is Ned's biggest fear. Nothing bad has happened so far, but I've always had my mum there taking pictures and generally keeping an eye out.

I've been riding 16 years, so I know what I'm doing, but most of those 16yrs have been occupied by hacking and very little schooling.

EDIT: I should add that I had quite a fear of schooling untill I changed stables 11yrs ago. I do a bit every now and again but on the whole, I haven't done a lot, like I said above.
The ponies at my old yard used to cart, buck, nap and one even jumped the fence! As an 9yr old child, that was terrifying! I almost quit riding.

Taking Ned in the school is trying to over-come a fear for both of us :) So that's why I'm questioning being left alone or not ^^
 
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I used to have to ride my spooky horse in the winter evenings on an empty yard and so used to arrange with a friend that I would ring or text her just before I got on and tell her what time I would text her again e.g. in 45 minutes and if she didn't hear from me to start the alarm bells. Luckily nothing ever happened so didn't need her.

I don't think I would jump or ride an unknown or particularly difficult horse in those circumstance though.
 
over years I have ridden many horses on my own as hey there wasnt anyone to be there - even my lass with her sight I did BUT depending on horse and tempremant and weather ( really windy etc) i would decided on what work to do . People always know when im riding - if hacking out i would give a route start time and expected time back and let them know was back safe - please dont mean this patronising at all OP but commonsense and communication works great - and if you feel its not feeling right do some ground work groom or just have a horsey snuggle and kiss - Always think safty first if on own infact all time - if dont feel right dont do it but hey have funnnnnnnnnnnn :) ps 42 yrs of horses some horrendous situations/horses with major issues but no broken bones and im still alive lol xx
 
Thanks babymare! Yea, I might end up just have snuggles and kisses :) I've been having a hard time recently and even just hanging out with Ned makes me feel better.

I might call my mum when/if I get on and give her updates every now and again and a time to come and collect me (Still can't drive *facepalm*)

It's not just me who's worried :P Mother doesn't really want me to. However, his owner thinks it's fine!
 
I would trust your instincts - I'm a greta beleiver in that - you are obviously having reservations and if you are a bit more nervous on your own then things are more likely to go wrong and that might knock your confidence.

If both you and the horse need to build up confidence then maybe you should either go all out to get a friend or your mum to be with you when you ride or leave it for another day. One day you will probably just naturally feel confident to "go it alone" and that will be the right time.
 
Annielusian said:
I'm a 'school novice'

I do ride with a group in the school quite often, but this would be my 4th time in there with no other horses and being alone is Ned's biggest fear. Nothing bad has happened so far, but I've always had my mum there taking pictures and generally keeping an eye out.

EDIT: I should add that I had quite a fear of schooling untill I changed stables 11yrs ago. I do a bit every now and again but on the whole, I haven't done a lot, like I said above.

^^
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If riding in the school is a bit of a worry for both you and your horse perhaps wait a little before you ride him in the school on your own. There is not much point in risking both your confidence for one riding session.

Perhaps do some groundwork or grooming instead.

I like the picture at the bottom of your posts. Where did you get it done?
 
Good point Sussexbythesea!
I do feel bad dragging poor ol' mother along every time I want to go in the school. Usually she's more than willing, but as she's feeling under the weather, I don't really want to ask her. Alas, I'm rather lacking in the friends department, one of the reasons I ask my mum.
In a way I think she's chuffed I'm not one of those 'young people' who are ashamed of their parents! I even took her to a japanese rock show :P She loved it haha!!


I think the way I'm going to go: Go with no intention to ride, have a walk around the field, do some grooming and if he's still calm, get on and have a wander around the school and go from there.

EDIT: Anglebracket - I drew that myself :) Here's the full picture http://anniehyena.deviantart.com/gallery/27477250#/d47w4qx
 
Cadfael&Coffee said:
??? Really? I think nothing of jumping on horses by myself, maybe I'm a bit madder than I thought lol

Most of the time, if I didn't ride alone I wouldn't get to ride!!!
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Haha, dw me too! I backed my (now) five year old on the yard by myself and have done most of his early work without anyone there. I'm now at my own place so am always by myself - if I didn't ride alone I wouldn't ride...

But then, my old lad I know inside out and he's too lovely to do anything intentional. Fergie on the other hand has slightly homicidal tendancies when the horse-eating pheasants are out, so I probably am mad :D
 
Give yourself plenty of time. Make a day of it. A special day.
Take it in small chunks and just nudge the boundaries of your comfort zone.
Groom him. Move his feet. Put the tack on. Lead him around the school.

While you are doing all this,have a chat with him. Tell him your worries. tell him his job today is to look after you.

If he is listening and obliging(you will know) get on.
There are loads of exercises you can do in halt. Stretching,left bend,right bend.
Then there's loads you can do in walk. Try moving each foot using your body weight and intention. Give yourselves loads of praise for every response.

If he is a get on with it type,you won't be able to do the above 'mounting block' exercises, so pick a spot and ride to it. If that goes well pick another. Plan each action,decide whether you are going to do 'round' corners etc or 'square' corners.

You may decide to try transitions. Try 5 paces of trot then back to walk.

What I am saying is don't go in with a BIG plan which might fail. If you get as far as mounting give yourself a huge pat on the back. If you move a meter from the mounting block,open the champagne.

I have been though this with my warmblood. I backed him,rode him out on my own,but then we both lost our confidence. The above is a condensed version of my way back to riding. Its taken 6 months,but now I can go anywhereand do anything,just me 'n him.:)
 
JFTD said:
Haha, dw me too! I backed my (now) five year old on the yard by myself and have done most of his early work without anyone there. I'm now at my own place so am always by myself - if I didn't ride alone I wouldn't ride...

But then, my old lad I know inside out and he's too lovely to do anything intentional. Fergie on the other hand has slightly homicidal tendancies when the horse-eating pheasants are out, so I probably am mad :D
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^^ best way to be!!!

quietly sings *we'e all mad in here* to myself ;) :D

when i'm a *lot* older and start to feel my mortality a wee bit i may change, but until then I freely admit to being a bit gung ho lol.

until my lad broke we used to ride for half day or so by ourselves, and noone knew where i was going or when i'd be back ilmao...



yeah, I think I'm mad :D:D:D
 
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Cadfael&Coffee said:
^^ best way to be!!!

quietly sings *we'e all mad in here* to myself ;) :D

when i'm a *lot* older and start to feel my mortality a wee bit i may change, but until then I freely admit to being a bit gung ho lol.

until my lad broke we used to ride for half day or so by ourselves, and noone knew where i was going or when i'd be back ilmao...



yeah, I think I'm mad :D:D:D
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You're as sane as me :D You can't beat a good long hack all by yourself with your horse :D I should tell people where I'm going but I rarely think that far ahead :o Mind you, I'm of the "do something that scares you every day" mentality, which is a bit of a problem when you're not scared of much :D:D:D:D
 
I ride my two every day on my own :( I keep them at my parents farm, and usually there is not a soul around! I just make sure I have my phone with me. I try not to think what could happen.... otherwise I could never ride!
 
they don't get bored :D my tb looked like a tank before he broke too lol- he had a ma-HOO-sive arse cause of all the random hills we had to go up when we went out all day ;)

lol- we seem to have hijacked the thread... oops!!!
 
Cadfael&Coffee said:
they don't get bored :D my tb looked like a tank before he broke too lol- he had a ma-HOO-sive arse cause of all the random hills we had to go up when we went out all day ;)

lol- we seem to have hijacked the thread... oops!!!
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Hahaha, I always end up explaining that my highland IS a highland - they honestly CAN be this slim, he just does a lot of work :D No hills round here at all sadly so his arse is depressingly normal sized :( lol

oops, slaps wrists, sorry OP :p :D
 
abitodd said:
Give yourself plenty of time. Make a day of it. A special day.
Take it in small chunks and just nudge the boundaries of your comfort zone.
Groom him. Move his feet. Put the tack on. Lead him around the school.

While you are doing all this,have a chat with him. Tell him your worries. tell him his job today is to look after you.

If he is listening and obliging(you will know) get on.
There are loads of exercises you can do in halt. Stretching,left bend,right bend.
Then there's loads you can do in walk. Try moving each foot using your body weight and intention. Give yourselves loads of praise for every response.

If he is a get on with it type,you won't be able to do the above 'mounting block' exercises, so pick a spot and ride to it. If that goes well pick another. Plan each action,decide whether you are going to do 'round' corners etc or 'square' corners.

You may decide to try transitions. Try 5 paces of trot then back to walk.

What I am saying is don't go in with a BIG plan which might fail. If you get as far as mounting give yourself a huge pat on the back. If you move a meter from the mounting block,open the champagne.

I have been though this with my warmblood. I backed him,rode him out on my own,but then we both lost our confidence. The above is a condensed version of my way back to riding. Its taken 6 months,but now I can go anywhereand do anything,just me 'n him.:)
Click to expand...

excellent advice , every bit-sized chunk of achievement will be a step towards total confidence in your ability to command any horse in any situation , have a great day no matter what you do even if it's just practising a fantastic tail plait.:)
 
Ned is kept at a riding school isn't he? What sort of proprietor would allow someone to hunt on a horse that is clearly dangerous in that situation?
As for riding on your own, if you are not confident to handle any situation that the pony could through at you, then don't.
 
abitodd: That's fantastic advise :) thank you!! I'll do that :D


Ihotse: He is, the lad that usually rides him on hunts is just as crackers as the horse, so they get on very well! However, this tends to wind him up and his owner wants to see if he'll be any calmer with me, which I doubt! Especially since I've never hunted and don't like jumping rustic jumps, one of the reasons I'm not going.
Ned would be going hunting if the boy was able to go, but college work doesn't allow that.
Ned isn't the worst I've seen out hunting though! Minus the reared and dancing, he doesn't do too much wrong. He won't refuse and he won't run off.
 
Continuing from my last post...

I have coped with everything he's thrown at me so far, but it's the thought of falling off and hurting myself badly and laying there for hours. Even the pro's fall off sometimes!
 
If you really arent happy don't do it, no point pushing yourself to do something you aren't sure about.

Personally I often ride on my own, even jump on my own or do fast work/hacking on my own. Why not??!! I'm sure if I fell off it wouldn't be long before someone found me, I live in the SE afterall, blimin cars and people everywhere!
I've ridden since a child though and even then used to take my pony out on my own. A life lived in fear is a life half lived n all that..

Saying that I don't do something if I really fear it will be unsafe... I came home from a show once without even riding because my horse didn't seem right and I had a bad feeling. Nothing wrong with going with ones instincts :).
 
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