tips to get 8 year old cob hacking alone?

[darkhorse123]

He is fine with other horses but i so want to be able to take him out on my own

On immediate lanes he is fine, on roads he is fine - but in woods - where we have to cross to get to any decent hacking he hates it on his own

He knows my OH so well, he leads him out every morning - so OH has tried to help by walking out with us - waste of time

He saw something in the woods and planted. I let him look and waited - no change

I squeezed him on with my feet - no response - tap of whip and omg - buck, rear, spin and darted (wont say bolt cos i did stop him but took longer to stop than was really safe) in the opposite way!

This was with my OH walking in front and trying to coax him on - these efforts totally ignored!

For now ive given up - back to group hacking with yardmates - but, what would you do?

 

[Abbeygale]

Will he walk out in front of the others when you ride with others? If so get him doing this more

I would also do walking out in hand / long reining to get his confidence up about going out on his own

I have usually found its about practicing until they believe you will look after them and then they will get braver. However some horses are just not happy hacking out alone

 

[Vodkagirly]

Kit up for safetly. Body protector and neck strap are recommended. Helps your confidence to.
Start of when you take are with other people, take the lead. Over several rides start riding further ahead or further behind so he isn't as reliant on them. Talk to him and encourage and praise.
Try and distinguish between fear and when he is trying it on. If its trying it on make it clear what you expect without arguing, eg growling works better than smacking. If he is scared, reassure him, get off and lead if necessary. Try and keep him and you calm.
Once you can do it with distant company then try person on ground/bike. Then on your own.
Take things steady and don't be too disheartened if you make progress and then a few steps back, you'll get there.
Good luck

 

[Jingleballs]

Personally, if he's fine in company I don't think doing more hacking in company even if he is leading the ride will help.

My pony can be great in company but a tad spooky alone and will occassionally plant, spin etc. I find the more I work through it and persevere the better he gets - possibly not the answer you want but what has worked for me.

I have also done some clicker training with mine so if he does get a bit spooky I'll ask him to walk on and if he behaves he'll get a click and treat - I find this takes his attention off whatever he thinks is hiding in the tree's and focuses it back on me because he's looking for the next treat!

 

[LiveryList]

I think it is just a case of sticking with it, one day it will suddenly click that there are no monsters or werewolves waiting to get him! I've had it witha couple of mine before and i can assure you from experience that relying too much on hacking out with others can lead to bigger problems than you have in the first place! They will jsu gradually build their confirdence up... its a big thing hacking out on their own as it is new sights, sounds and smells and there friends are nowhere to be found! Just be really reassuring with him and make sure you make it a fun expeirence for him and you should be okay

 

[Bop!]

How long have you had him? Sounds like he is not entirely sure that he is safe when its just you and him - not a criticism, my little cob was just the same years ago. It will take time and experience out together before he will become relaxed enough in just your company to start enjoying himself I think. He will though .

Get him out and about, bit further each time, relax and try an enjoy yourself make sure you breath - sing or talk to him as you go - it helps your breathing! Next time he plants don't get cross with him, bump him with your heels and ask him to walk on, if he won't then wait but make sure you reward even the tiniest forward movement by relaxing totally and giving him a pat. Ask again and again reward even a tiny forward movement by relaxing an patting. Keep quiet, don't reassure him (there isn't anything to be frightened of after all) keep your reigns relaxed but closed so he cant move left or right. Ignore any backward movement. Don't up the pressure (by bumping harder or using your whip) use the same ask every time and only reward a forward movement. Keep asking and rewarding and you should get his engine going again. Take your OH for safety and your confidence but don't let him interfere at all by coaxing, trying to lead etc.

Every hack you do on your own will build his confidence and every time you get over a little "stall" together he will trust your judgement a little more and be one step closer to really enjoying his time out and about with you. Good luck with him

 

[Cocorules]

long reining to increase his confidence will help also when riding in a group get him going in front especially in places he finds it easy such as on his way home then as he increases in confidence if you can separate from the rest of your group and ride home on your own but longreining will help the most

 

[darkhorse123]

ty so much for your replies.

I do know we have a double edged sword because I am nto the most confident rider (although i am a lot better than I was)

He was my daughters horse but when she lost interest I coudl tn bear to sell him so we are learnign together - he is 8.

He will lead out in front, in fact with other horses he is the bold one who when they shy will step out and pass ladders on ground etc. Hes actually a littel racer - when we all trot for ex he refuses to stay behind and has to be up front!

The lady who said not to squeeze him harder when he refuses has really made me think - after reading that i think when he does plant and ignores my usual aids I panic, expecting bad behaviour and problems so ask harder and harder - not braying him but im sure he must feel my worry through my legs. Actually I do - i need to relax when he tenses and just sit and wait. Ty, id never thought of this before.

I also like the idea of clicker training and rewards - he is very food orientated (a cob) but also worry if i started this we would spend our time hacking with his head permanently bent round to my hand

Ty everyone, brilliant advice

 

[darkhorse123]

long reining to increase his confidence will help also when riding in a group get him going in front especially in places he finds it easy such as on his way home then as he increases in confidence if you can separate from the rest of your group and ride home on your own but longreining will help the most

Ive heard lots of good things about long reining but he is very strong and i just would not dare stand a few feet behind him with only a couple of longlines to control him on the main roads we have to cross - he is just so strong and when he spooks he spooks - no thought or reason

 

[CobSunshine]

As soon as you get off and lead from the front is he fine? Only to sit back up top and he becomes nappy again, (unless he was facing home) ?

Adding a full cheek french link bit helped massively with my cob turning on me, and a long dressage style whip was the second biggest turning point. If he tried to turn round I wave it in his face, if he plants I tap it on his bum and growly very very firmly say "walk on". Along with the full cheek not making it comfortable for him to nap against my will (although french link in the mouth for a big tongued cob so nice and gentle there) its easier for him to go on.

 

[Goldenstar]

long reining would help but I would never recommend long reining in a public place unless you are very experienced at it and I always have a groom walking with me as well. I think the advice of hacking in a pair with him in front is good advice also if possible go to the woods every day for a while so its the normal place you go. It may be worth getting another experianced rider to hack him just to see if he's kidding you. Some horses are never excellent hacks alone I do hack mine out alone now and again alone but never let employees do so as I think the risk of something going wrong is too great.
The key word with this is repeat repeat repeat you need to be going 5 days a week until he accepts it
When you get him hacking with one other horse ( better than a big group because they get a herd thing going in a big group. ) just nag him in front for short whiles then put the other in front whenever it's possible go side by side so no ones in front then slip him in front for a while then the other. it helps with some to be very matter of fact just a casual pat when being good not to much fulsome praise as some pick up on this meaning the rider was worried about it too.
Good luck with it

 

[Pearlsasinger]

If turning is a problem, try a PeeWee bit, it worked wonders for my Clydie who turned or not as she saw fit, rather than as I asked. She could also set her neck and take off until I got the PW. The slim mouthpiece is very comfortable for fat-tongued horses.
I think you are to be congratulated on the progress that you have made with this horse. I've read several of your posts and know that you have come a long way with him.
If he is willing to take the lead in company, you have something to work with. I'd take every opportunity to build on this, letting him get further and further in front, especially on the way home, if you can.
One thing I wouldn't do though, is to let him overtake the others while you are all trotting. Make sure that whatever he does he is responding to your request, rather than taking charge himself. Sometimes you might have to be a bit quick to get your aids in before he does whatever it is, lol! but he needs to think that everything he does was your idea.

 

[paulineh]

Give your self plenty of time and when you get to the point he stops just sit there not allowing him to try and move back, even if it takes half an hour just sit there.


Many years ago I remember Harvey Smith had a horse that was nappy so he took him up onto Ilkley Moor and just sat there, Harvey's wife took him a flask of tea and a book, Harvey just sat there until the horse decided to move himself.

You have to be the boss but do not force him. when he moves forward praise him and then go home. This may take time but he will soon learn that it is easier to go forward.

 

[darkhorse123]

As soon as you get off and lead from the front is he fine? Only to sit back up top and he becomes nappy again, (unless he was facing home) ?

Adding a full cheek french link bit helped massively with my cob turning on me, and a long dressage style whip was the second biggest turning point. If he tried to turn round I wave it in his face, if he plants I tap it on his bum and growly very very firmly say "walk on". Along with the full cheek not making it comfortable for him to nap against my will (although french link in the mouth for a big tongued cob so nice and gentle there) its easier for him to go on.

no when he planted my partner was walking in front and cam back to us and he still wouldnt go
My partner has no fear so once id stopped him runnng, i was shaking - my partner got on him and made him do the track - not by hurting him but by being firm and turning him back when he turned and walk on - tbh it was his voice that did it - growling - my partner has luckily been brought up around horses just has not much interest now

 

[darkhorse123]

Give your self plenty of time and when you get to the point he stops just sit there not allowing him to try and move back, even if it takes half an hour just sit there.


Many years ago I remember Harvey Smith had a horse that was nappy so he took him up onto Ilkley Moor and just sat there, Harvey's wife took him a flask of tea and a book, Harvey just sat there until the horse decided to move himself.

You have to be the boss but do not force him. when he moves forward praise him and then go home. This may take time but he will soon learn that it is easier to go forward.

lol pauline ty - i do like that idea and do need to it - i will - if harvey did it i can!

 

[darkhorse123]

long reining would help but I would never recommend long reining in a public place unless you are very experienced at it and I always have a groom walking with me as well. I think the advice of hacking in a pair with him in front is good advice also if possible go to the woods every day for a while so its the normal place you go. It may be worth getting another experianced rider to hack him just to see if he's kidding you. Some horses are never excellent hacks alone I do hack mine out alone now and again alone but never let employees do so as I think the risk of something going wrong is too great.
The key word with this is repeat repeat repeat you need to be going 5 days a week until he accepts it
When you get him hacking with one other horse ( better than a big group because they get a herd thing going in a big group. ) just nag him in front for short whiles then put the other in front whenever it's possible go side by side so no ones in front then slip him in front for a while then the other. it helps with some to be very matter of fact just a casual pat when being good not to much fulsome praise as some pick up on this meaning the rider was worried about it too.
Good luck with it

ty - that makes so much sense - when i pat him or praise him he gets worse! i know it sounds horrid bu tits true - if i say good boy and stroke him he panics - if i growl a good "get on" he moves! he only likes going in front when he is trotting or cantering - then he HAS to be in front!!!

 

[CobSunshine]

ty - that makes so much sense - when i pat him or praise him he gets worse! i know it sounds horrid bu tits true - if i say good boy and stroke him he panics - if i growl a good "get on" he moves! he only likes going in front when he is trotting or cantering - then he HAS to be in front!!!

it sounds like he doesnt have confidence in you and when you behave like the heard leader and become authoritive he respects that and obeys.

I found a great way to teach leadership and confidence is lunging, in a menage or spare field. Learning him woah, stand, walk-on, trot and perhaps canter.

 

[CobSunshine]

no when he planted my partner was walking in front and cam back to us and he still wouldnt go
My partner has no fear so once id stopped him runnng, i was shaking - my partner got on him and made him do the track - not by hurting him but by being firm and turning him back when he turned and walk on - tbh it was his voice that did it - growling - my partner has luckily been brought up around horses just has not much interest now

I think he needs to trust you more, so groundwork definetely the way forward, lunging and long reining

 

[darkhorse123]

If turning is a problem, try a PeeWee bit, it worked wonders for my Clydie who turned or not as she saw fit, rather than as I asked. She could also set her neck and take off until I got the PW. The slim mouthpiece is very comfortable for fat-tongued horses.
I think you are to be congratulated on the progress that you have made with this horse. I've read several of your posts and know that you have come a long way with him.
If he is willing to take the lead in company, you have something to work with. I'd take every opportunity to build on this, letting him get further and further in front, especially on the way home, if you can.
One thing I wouldn't do though, is to let him overtake the others while you are all trotting. Make sure that whatever he does he is responding to your request, rather than taking charge himself. Sometimes you might have to be a bit quick to get your aids in before he does whatever it is, lol! but he needs to think that everything he does was your idea.

ty so so much yes we have come on far - and i will keep in mind not to let him take the lead in trotting - although at the time im thrilled i can see it is wrong - ty

 

[darkhorse123]

it sounds like he doesnt have confidence in you and when you behave like the heard leader and become authoritive he respects that and obeys.

I found a great way to teach leadership and confidence is lunging, in a menage or spare field. Learning him woah, stand, walk-on, trot and perhaps canter.

ty - i can do all of those with him but havent done it in a while - maybe now we have horrible winbter is the time to do it again