She wont hack!!

[bubbledreamer]

Hello, i have had my new pony for a few months now. Shes usualy really good when hacking out alone and when her buddy goes out without her. However the last few days she got really stressed when her buddy went out so i decided to take her out today too see if she would go out. She was awful. She would not go i tried everything. she bucked and reared and spun on the spot. There was no way she was going to go forward. After an hour i had to got back as i had work so she won which i never ususaly let happen. Its only in the last few days that she has started to worry if her friend goes out. Shes only 5, im really worried that she wont ever be able to hack alone! Please help!!

 

[the watcher]

She will be fine, this is just a setback and you need to take a couple of paces back to rebuild her confidence again, hack her out in company to start with, gradually putting her more out front, or breaking off and seperating some of the way round before you attempt to hack her out alone again. It just needs a little patience and understanding

 

[Jackie_L]

Just a few words of hope. My mare was a nightmare to hack when i first had her. It took about a year before she was ok to hack out. I never thought i would be able to take her out alone, she was nappy and spooky. She's now brilliant and even better on her own!! I have had her 7 years now but she has been ok for about the past 4.5 years. You need time and patience and a good instructor but im sure you will get there. Good luck.

 

[virtual]

Is she in season at the moment?

 

[jumpthemoon]

[ QUOTE ]
Just a few words of hope. My mare was a nightmare to hack when i first had her. It took about a year before she was ok to hack out. I never thought i would be able to take her out alone, she was nappy and spooky. She's now brilliant and even better on her own!!

[/ QUOTE ]

How did you achieve this, mad_cob_fan? Do you have any tips? having similar problems!

 

[alicep]

I have the exact same porblem with my mare although shes 12! any time we are out on our own or with a certain horse on our yard she is just impossible. Napping, spinning,and general jumping into the nearest hedge spooking! ive found that the best way to get her going is to ride really positive and strong. i put on some small spurs, always carry a whip and tend to use a firm but kind attitude with her. we try to ride out in company 3 times a week and then the rest alone. Remember that when they do calm down and are forward going, to praise them. You get good and bad days! o and i put her on steadyup which has helped

 

[charlie900]

This the exact same problem I had with my 5yr old tb, my advise is to be patient as she is still only yoiung. Spend loads of time just with her grooming fussing lunging to build a bond and trust. Take her for very short walks out of the yard, literally a few meters evey day until this is just a part of your normal routine and she is calm and happy, then gradually build up to longer walks. Then when she is ready and calm and steady leaving the yard and going out nicely and walking back calmly, then ride her a very short distance and do the same thing and gradually build up to regular hacks. When you walk her out for the first few tomes try to hasve some one else with you just in case, wear gloves a hat and reflective gear and use a bridle. Of course schooling as well and good instruction is a must. A few months ago I couldnt even get my boy out of the yard now we hack out alone and in company. good luck

 

[Nosey]

Echo the above advice - my mare (is it all just mares?!) was much the same and after periods of hacking out then taking the lead for increasing periods of time, she got loads better and now we nearly always hack on our own. Probably took a year till we both felt fully confident and as per the above post I always hack her in spurs + stick so I have that extra encouragement to go forward if need be. It is also useful to try and analyse what she does when she starts her wobblies so you can try and deal with that, Eg head comes up? loading a shoulder? so you can manage that behaviour before it develops into a full blown spin / strop. Not saying its easy and it took me some time to work out what my mare did before launching herself but I got there in the end. I also tried to stay off road in the early days to avoid any further complications. An excellent trainer I knew likened a horse to an egg timer in this situation! You don't want to drain too much confidnce from them in one go as it will take much longer to refill. Give her opportunities little and often to build her confidence and inbetween, times when she can chill and recharge her batteries (ie mooching along behind another horse). My mare also used to have regualr character transplants when in season. Oestress by NAF has definitley evened her out and when I took her off it for a few weeks once, over the winter, I wished I hadn't! I know many other mare owners who swear by this product. Good luck - I am sure you will get there!