Schooling ideas to build confidence and forwardness

Supertrooper

Supertrooper

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My horse tends to be quite backward thinking, he will plant out on hacks when on his own to the point now where we will only go out with another horse. Just don't want to fight with him on the road.

He is a very sensitive horse but also big/stubborn and ex riding school. I'm trying to do schooling in field inbetween hacks but have got to be a little careful not to wreck it too much until the weather improves. Once the field improves a bit i'm going to get instructor up.

So I'm looking for exercises I can do help him think more forward plus build our confidence in one another too.

Thanks xx
 
Can you try hacking him out on your own but with someone either walking with you on the ground or on a bike?

Our last horse was a s*d for spinning round and napping and I found this helped to get him in more of a routine and not relying so much on horsey company.

Whilst you are in company and can get more of his attention, try doing things like shoulder in (check no cars coming!) and maybe trying to get on an outline - anything that gets him listening and concentrating more on you. When he has more of a bond with you, he hopefully will settle more going out on his own, especially if you have the security of a bike, another person (this is good for you as well as will take you mind off thinking about him napping etc.)

Once you have your field, instructress you can concentrate further on the schooling and getting him listening to you.

He has probably just learnt some bad manners from the riding school and is probably only used to going out in company nose to tail, hopefully with time it will come good. Good luck.
 
He is unfortunately just as bad on road with someone on foot, he only a hundred percent settles with another horse!

Luckily we now have permission to ride on the farm drive opposite us that goes for about two miles so ATM we are sticking to this route so he gets more and more used to it and then hopefully when we try without a horse he will be more confident!

I'd say 15% of it is sensitivity and the rest is him trying it on so I'm very no nonsense with him, que lots of rescue remedy for me!!
 
My instructor used to teach me in my fields. She used to stand in the middle and make me circle round bales, go to the edge etc. etc - worked a treat.
 
It sounds like you are doing all you can, positive riding and a no nonsense approach and at least you have the farm track so out of the way of cars if he does start being silly.

When you are able to do more with the instructress hopefully they will have a clearer view seeing you both together so to speak.

I agree with scarymare, and riding in fields, around bales etc as soon as our parkland dries up im heading off for lessons on my mare out there. Maybe this will get him more used to being on his own in a more open environment.

Have you tried leading him out on his own? In a bridle of course if you are concerned he might get away from you>?

Sounds to me like it will just take time and patience and getting him used to you (sorry I can't recall how long you said you had him for). There are some wise bods on here so hopefully someone will have some further tips for you.

Long live rescue remedy (I find humming and singing helps) - gets some funny looks however!
 
It does take time, I had my boy for about a year before I really got to know him. Got my new girlie about that same time as you and we are still at the 'getting to know you stage' Good luck :-)
 
My horse was always, always at the back of a ride when he was part of a riding stable. He was slow and steady and needed lots of encouragement!!

When I bought him and moved yards, I started lessons which an instructor. The difference has been startling!!! Now, he's so much more forward - I hadn't used the word "Steady" for years with him but need it regularly now!!

I think the thing that helps us most is lots of transitions - try to make them nice, crisp and responsive. We do them as part of schooling but also do plenty when out on a hack.

Good Luck :)
 
Also meant to say that he is quite happy to go right out in front of another horse so think he will improve with time on the solo hacking front.

Went out on him this afternoon with a friend leading retired 37yr old (loves coming out for walks and is very naughty on them) both very good as windy so big big :D just went a short way but enough if you get me.

Oh and I forgot my rescue remedy but I was still really chilled and so was he, I was chatting away to him about this and that to keep me breathing etc etc xxx
 
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