Second day of (mostly) sucessful hacking with Sam.

[horseless jorge!]

So, today we went down the same lane that we did the other day, and he was great. Went round the same corners that previously got us into major trouble (backing up and rearing and the like) and he did stop, but this time all he needed to keep going was a louder voice command and some sharper aids.

He was fantastic all the way up until where we turned around the last time. This time we had some major issues. I asked him to keep going straight towards the entrance onto the other lane, and he just said no. He reared, spun and bronced. That's the first time I ever got scared. He felt SO tense, just like he was about to explode. I had to get off, he just wouldn't go forwards. He crept through the gateway SO slowly, the crow hopped onto the other lane.

I walked him down the 'new lane' (been on it with his friends, not been on it solo for ages) and then got back on once all the 'danger' was passed and we were back to the safe place.

Am I doing the right thing by taking him out of his comfort zone and making him do it? He got scared and sweaty, but overall he acted very well. I just sometimes feel so bad, and I get worried that he might be losing trust in me for taking him all these 'scary' places.

Do I carry on or do I take it slower?

 

[shampain]

I'll be honest that I don't entirely know this pony's history- but am I right in thinking that he hadn't been hacked alone for a while before you started riding him due to his owner having less confidence with him?
If that's the case then I imagine that hacking out on his own will be a bit of a big deal for him, especially if he's been out before on hacks where his rider perhaps couldn't provide him with the confidence that he needed. If she got worried, that'd have been transferred to him so perhaps he's learned that hacking alone is something worth getting stressed about.

Firstly... well done for persevering with him. He doesn't sound like the easiest pony to ride, but seems to be generally improving if I follow the trend through your posts.
Remember that he walked down the new lane with you. Yes, he refused to be ridden down it, but he was still willing to be led. Something in that would suggest to me that you will be able to work up to the point where you'll be able to ride him through his insecurity. I don't have any hugely constructive advice to give you, other than to stick with it but make sure you stay safe. Not usually someone to lecture on safety but no matter how good a rider you are I'd probably put it out there to wear a BP if you can, especially as you're hacking on your own.
I also imagine that if you hadn't attempted to continue at this point on the hack then you would probably have had even more issues next time, ectetera... you're asking him to go on somewhere that he hasn't been for a long time at a point that he had turned around and gone home the time before. Can you get someone to come with you on foot or on a bike if it reassures him to have someone on the ground?

So try not to put too much pressure on yourself, it sounds like you're going to just keep having to take baby steps with this boy. But just continuing with him, reassuring him and ensuring that you stay as calm as possible will help to build his confidence in you and his belief that it's okay to go where you say because he trusts you. Just my two cents worth

 

[horseless jorge!]

Thankyou so much for your reply.
And yes, his owner does have substantially less confidence with him. He is a lovely pony to ride, he does try hard, but with him being so small (about three hands smaller than my usual ones!!) he can't half move sideways quickly!
I think the idea of wearing the BP is a great idea. It might even help to fix my bad posture! Ever since my broken collarbone three months ago, I've just not sat right. So yes, I will start doing that.
And I frequently hack out with someone on the ground/ bike or another horse, and he is just totally a different horse. You wouldn't believe the change unless you saw it for yourself haha. I do stay calm a lot (these days it takes a lot to rattle me!) and I reassure him all the time.

Thankyou again so much for your input.

 

[shampain]

No problem whatsoever
To be honest, it sounds like you're doing him a lot of good. I imagine he just needs someone capable of keeping him going steadily and reassuring him that it's okay - which seems to be exactly what you're doing on the whole, so keep it up! Have to admit, having ridden a 16hh primarily for the past few months, when I rode a 13.2 the other day it felt strangely precarious, so I can sympathise with how different it feels

Anyway, good luck with him

 

[horseless jorge!]

Goodness me yes haha, he's so much different, there's just not an awful lot of horse either in front of me or behind!
But he does try hard, and sometimes it feels like he really wants to rear and buck, but he doesn't want to hurt me. Other times, feels like he wants me gone.