LaurenBay
Well-Known Member
Not sure if you remember my previous post about our disaster hack! heres the link to refresh your memories.
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=517162
Since then I have been on that route another 8 times or so in company. Taking turns in leading and following. I have been re-schooling and teaching her to work off my leg and so far shes going lovely. I carry a schooling whip just incase she has a cheeky moment.
On Saturday, I was in a very positive mood, the sun was out and Ruby has been living out so also very chilled. So I decided today was the day when I attempt the hack alone. I tacked up and set off, she was very looky and cautious. But didn't stop once or spook. Got past all the nappy places and made sure I gave her lots of praise and lots of leg to keep her going. Got to the scary house (she always has issues with this house, even in company) she stopped and then called and tried to spin around. I gave her a tap with the whip and a squeeze and said "AH" turned her back round and asked for trot. She was zig zagging up the road, but she was trotting. Then she relaxed into the trot and went properly. So carried on trotting and praising right to the top of the lane and the triangle where we turn.
She did get tense as soon as she turned for home but that was because I got tense. I done some breathing excersizes and sung songs to keep me relaxed and squeezed on whilst half halting, to keep her listening. Approached the scary house and she started jogging sidewards ( no wonder as I was nervy and riding as stiff as a board) asked her to steady and done some more breathing excercises then squeezed her on, whilst alternating half halts. She walked past, with eyes on stalks but didn't spook and remained in walk. We met another Horse and rider, she called to it, but didn't try to spin and follow, although she was very on her toes for the next 5 minutes until she calmed down again. When she was calm, I practised lots of halt transitions and bending to keep her attention on me. Well we got back to the yard without any spooking (even when a bike whizzed past and a bird flew out at us) and no more jogging. I gave her a huge huge cuddle when we got back. I was so proud of us both.
It just goes to show, that Horses are so sensitive to our emotions and I can't blame her for spooking and napping for home when she can feel I am nervy.
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=517162
Since then I have been on that route another 8 times or so in company. Taking turns in leading and following. I have been re-schooling and teaching her to work off my leg and so far shes going lovely. I carry a schooling whip just incase she has a cheeky moment.
On Saturday, I was in a very positive mood, the sun was out and Ruby has been living out so also very chilled. So I decided today was the day when I attempt the hack alone. I tacked up and set off, she was very looky and cautious. But didn't stop once or spook. Got past all the nappy places and made sure I gave her lots of praise and lots of leg to keep her going. Got to the scary house (she always has issues with this house, even in company) she stopped and then called and tried to spin around. I gave her a tap with the whip and a squeeze and said "AH" turned her back round and asked for trot. She was zig zagging up the road, but she was trotting. Then she relaxed into the trot and went properly. So carried on trotting and praising right to the top of the lane and the triangle where we turn.
She did get tense as soon as she turned for home but that was because I got tense. I done some breathing excersizes and sung songs to keep me relaxed and squeezed on whilst half halting, to keep her listening. Approached the scary house and she started jogging sidewards ( no wonder as I was nervy and riding as stiff as a board) asked her to steady and done some more breathing excercises then squeezed her on, whilst alternating half halts. She walked past, with eyes on stalks but didn't spook and remained in walk. We met another Horse and rider, she called to it, but didn't try to spin and follow, although she was very on her toes for the next 5 minutes until she calmed down again. When she was calm, I practised lots of halt transitions and bending to keep her attention on me. Well we got back to the yard without any spooking (even when a bike whizzed past and a bird flew out at us) and no more jogging. I gave her a huge huge cuddle when we got back. I was so proud of us both.
It just goes to show, that Horses are so sensitive to our emotions and I can't blame her for spooking and napping for home when she can feel I am nervy.
Next time will be better - you've done it once and there's no reason not to do it again. It won't be long before you can do it in fairly straight lines 
Maybe you might be breathing 
