Walking out in hand benefits

I walk out in hand and long line. Can definitely say it helps our bond but also helps him learn how to handle new or 'scary' situations where I just wouldn't be able to manage aboard (he responds well when I'm on the ground). It's very good confidence building (for mine anyways)
 
Yes - but if he is nervous of something you need to do the same as if you were on board.

Generally I stop, let them have a look while talking to them calmly, when they are calm approach the object and if the touch it give them a treat. This takes the time it takes.

Also, from time to time do transitions so you can get their attention on you - again another thing you can take to ridden work.
 
I do this when I move yards so my horse can get to know the area with me by her side. We’ve known each other a long time and I find it gives her more confidence than if I was riding as we always hack alone.
 
I think it depends on the horse, your relationship with the horse. Some horses / some situations it’s safer to be on board. Others it’s safer to build their confidence with support of nanny horse.

No person can stop a horse in hand that truly wants to flee if sufficiently excited or panicked.

That said lots of horses are great to lead in hand & take comfort from the person on the ground.

If you & horse both new, I’d start testing the water in a safe space eg an enclosed field, and see how it goes.
 
Definitely helps with a horse which lacks in confidence. I managed to get a horse that wouldn’t hack on its own happy and confident starting with in hand work.m, then long reining and gradually reducing the long reining and replacing it with riding until we eventually went out and did a complete hack!
 
I think it’s great for building confidence and bond. I walked everywhere with my mare as part of her rehabbing. She’d always been good to hack but it made her rock solid. I walk out my current horse too - now as she’s transitioning to barefoot. Both mares are good to handle though and not likely to bog off!
 
I would say that if hacking in Company with a confident forward horse is possible then this is more beneficial to a nervous horse.
Unless of course the issue only arises when hacking alone.
 
I think it is very beneficial. I walk my babies everywhere I'd ride them. I also walk my nervous none ridden companion out. They all learn to trust me as we overcome their worries together. Sets them up for a trusting partnership when you hop on board.

I'm also one to hop off when out hacking if my horse becomes overwhelmed y something and walk past with them then re mount further on.
 
Flowerofthefen said:
Depends on the horse. My ex racer didn't understand the concept of walking in hand, he was much better ridden!
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It’s interesting how different they are. Mine takes a lot of reassurance from someone at his side rather like walking around the parade ring. At his early competitions we’d lead him round for a while before I got on and that seemed a happy routine for him.
 
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