Walking in hand Vs Riding out

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Ashleigh_

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Have just read Clipclop's post and it got me wondering..
Do you reckon behaviour in hand is mirrored when they are then ridden or does it change?

I'm a little curious since i have been walking Ronnie my 5yr old cob out a lot recently on our own and with other horses through village highstreet and country roads etc and he has been very very well behaved. Going through the highstreet he does look like he's almost giving the cars 'evils' keeping one eye on them all the time but that is nothing really! ha
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I have been taking things very slowly with him since he is my first horse, probably a lot more slowly than i needed to/would have liked since this weather has been pants and grass livery means no school or extra facilites, infact we struggle to keep any part of the field reltively flat/non muddy for farrier!
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Anyway, when i start riding him (hopefully this weekend) do you reckon this Mr.Chilled thing Ronnie has going on will stay or be replaced by Mr.Beans?
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Thanks all x
 
I did a lot of in hand walking out on the lanes with Bodey before I backed him, and I really believe this was why he was so easy to hack after backing. He is exactly the same in hand as being ridden (except in hand he tries to search my pockets for treats).
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I'm sure walking in hand will have really helped him. I wouldn't say that the behaviour is always the same though, Daisy was always fiesty to lead in hand but very sensible to ride.
 
hey... soz, i can't be of any help with your question (too traumatised from my own miserable attempt at walking out in hand) other than to say i think it's good to get them used to seeing things (like barking dogs)... but some do say you're safer on board.

anyway, what i really wanted to say was... the photo in your sig is STUNNING! x
 
[ QUOTE ]
hey... soz, i can't be of any help with your question (too traumatised from my own miserable attempt at walking out in hand) other than to say i think it's good to get them used to seeing things (like barking dogs)... but some do say you're safer on board.

anyway, what i really wanted to say was... the photo in your sig is STUNNING! x

[/ QUOTE ]

Thankyou!
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I'm hoping he won't be too bad with barky dogs since Fat spaniel seems to rather like Ronnie so he has to put up with her following him around and running like a crazed loon!

Also, i've been following you're posts and i honestly think you can re-build this, not only for yourself but for Raff. Don't feel pressured to do anything quickly or prove anything to anyone because from what you've said you're family will understand, you have all the time in the world to do this
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I understand how it feels because the first time i walked Ronnie out i felt like i had climbed a mountain even though it was no biggy to anyone else! If only you lived closer, we could have been two nellies walking out together! haha x
 
As long as you ride him with the same amount of confidence as you do when leading him he should be fine. What happens sometimes is that an owner will feel more secure leading in hand than they do on board. When they get on board, if they are nervous and expecting trouble, the horse will pick up on that and start to wonder where the tigers are!
 
I think it's a great thing to do.

The thing is though, as he is has been as good as gold the key is to make sure you ride him no differently to you leading him. That's where the problems will lie. If you come across or have come across something, he has tensed up or whatever you remained chilled out/relaxed didn't look at this 'something' and carried on... He will/has picked up on that and continued, taking your lead. If you ride him, same scenario but fail to ride in the manner you led him then it's where you may not get the same reaction. Not because it's different as you are on his back, but you didn't stay the same way, which is what he has picked up. So ride in the same chilled out manner and I am sure everything will be OK. (of course this is all much easier said them done, but possible.. )

XX Goodluck XX
 
In a word
Yes
I also think it can help horses regain lost confidence hacking, if you can get them calm about it in hand again and build up from there.
 
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