Puppy
Well-Known Member
/\ /\ This! Plus I wouldn't buy a horse that rears.
Would you buy a horse that doesn't hack?
- Thread starter FleabittenT
- Start date
/\ /\ This! Plus I wouldn't buy a horse that rears.
alesea
Well-Known Member
For me, for dressage, then yes, I'd proabaly make an exception and buy one that didn't hack (as long as it was proven to be ok at competitons). I could cope with that.
For eventing (for my sister), no. We don't really have any accessible gallops nearby, so we wouldn't be able to do sufficient fitness work if the horse didn't hack.
For eventing (for my sister), no. We don't really have any accessible gallops nearby, so we wouldn't be able to do sufficient fitness work if the horse didn't hack.
X
xspiralx
Guest
I'd possibly buy a horse that wasn't good to hack but I don't think I would buy one that didn't at all, or was dangerous about it, unless it was perfect in every other way and I had good enough facilities not to need it.
I'm not really a big hacking person, but I do like to be able to go for a gallop or the odd wander round the block with a friend, and whilst I don't mind sharpness, the last thing I want is to be on something that will misbehave on the road or potentially ditch me in the middle of nowhere and bugger off.
I'm not really a big hacking person, but I do like to be able to go for a gallop or the odd wander round the block with a friend, and whilst I don't mind sharpness, the last thing I want is to be on something that will misbehave on the road or potentially ditch me in the middle of nowhere and bugger off.
I See Clover
Well-Known Member
There could be a million reasons why the mare is refusing to hack - unconfident rider, her current environment, a bad experience, fear etc. The mare may overcome this problem if given the time, patience and right training. But there is also a chance she might not. If she has potential in other spheres and you can accept she might not overcome the hacking situation, then I don't see why not. Just because she isn't a youngster and has had this problem for some time, does not mean she cannot overcome it. Also, being ridden by a rider lacking in confidence does not help the situation.
I have a new mare who is 3 years older than the one you are considering, she has napped with the last 2 owners (so for at least 2 years, I think), and likes to throw in a few rears when hacking alone. Her napping isnt extreme, it is always at the same place (end of farm road). She done this when alone and in company. I found when hacking alone, she would rear if I pushed her on. I really thought this was going to be a problem, but to my surprise she is slowly improving. I hacked her out the other week and she happily plodded out of the farm road without any signs of napping or rearing.
And I would like to add, she is kept at the same yard where I bought her - the hacking isnt bad but not good either -there are no circular routes, so we are always coming back on ourselves which has probably reinforced her behaviour. I am waiting to move her to a yard closer to home which has better hacking - majority of tracks are circular. In earning her trust, building up a bond with her and with plenty time and patience, I think she will overcome this.
She has never once demonstrated any of this behaviour whilst schooling, jumping, XC etc and I had been riding her for about 5 months before I purchased her. Although every horse is different and just because mines doesnt demonstrate the same behaviour whilst schooling, doesnt mean every other horse is the same.
On the other side of things, you could find another horse which is perfectly adequate and completely vice free.
The decision is yours to make - I just wanted to tell you about my experience.
I have a new mare who is 3 years older than the one you are considering, she has napped with the last 2 owners (so for at least 2 years, I think), and likes to throw in a few rears when hacking alone. Her napping isnt extreme, it is always at the same place (end of farm road). She done this when alone and in company. I found when hacking alone, she would rear if I pushed her on. I really thought this was going to be a problem, but to my surprise she is slowly improving. I hacked her out the other week and she happily plodded out of the farm road without any signs of napping or rearing.
And I would like to add, she is kept at the same yard where I bought her - the hacking isnt bad but not good either -there are no circular routes, so we are always coming back on ourselves which has probably reinforced her behaviour. I am waiting to move her to a yard closer to home which has better hacking - majority of tracks are circular. In earning her trust, building up a bond with her and with plenty time and patience, I think she will overcome this.
She has never once demonstrated any of this behaviour whilst schooling, jumping, XC etc and I had been riding her for about 5 months before I purchased her. Although every horse is different and just because mines doesnt demonstrate the same behaviour whilst schooling, doesnt mean every other horse is the same.
On the other side of things, you could find another horse which is perfectly adequate and completely vice free.
The decision is yours to make - I just wanted to tell you about my experience.
FleabittenT
Well-Known Member
Thanks all. As this thread has now popped back up, thought I'd update you 
I made a silly offer, left it with them and bought her a week later for half the price they were originally asking.
She now hacks!
First thing we did was sort her teeth, which I think was a big part of the issue. They were really sharp & cutting into her cheek
So she had a bit off time at first for her mouth to heal.
Ridden-wise, it's been a long, hard slog, couldn't get her off the drive without going vertical to begin with
So went right back to basics - two weeks of long reining every morning and afternoon, then long reining in the mornings & hacking every afternoon, now she is hacked every day (sometimes twice), often before or after schooling.
I don't think she's ever going to be the most reliable or relaxing hack. I have to stay 3 steps ahead of her at all times. If she drops behind my leg or her focus shifts from me, I'm b*ggered! She's still not 100%, we have occasional tantrums & she'll take exception to the strangest things. She's also the most impatient mare I've ever known, but it's coming slowly.
She's been out and about, only a couple of unaff DR tests, unaff SJ 2'6/2'9, with no drama. She's still pretty stiff & unsupple, so not rushing things, but again it's coming.
So thanks all for your thoughts! I certainly don't regret buying her, and have high hopes for the season.
Pics to follow
I made a silly offer, left it with them and bought her a week later for half the price they were originally asking.
She now hacks!
First thing we did was sort her teeth, which I think was a big part of the issue. They were really sharp & cutting into her cheek
So she had a bit off time at first for her mouth to heal.Ridden-wise, it's been a long, hard slog, couldn't get her off the drive without going vertical to begin with
So went right back to basics - two weeks of long reining every morning and afternoon, then long reining in the mornings & hacking every afternoon, now she is hacked every day (sometimes twice), often before or after schooling.I don't think she's ever going to be the most reliable or relaxing hack. I have to stay 3 steps ahead of her at all times. If she drops behind my leg or her focus shifts from me, I'm b*ggered! She's still not 100%, we have occasional tantrums & she'll take exception to the strangest things. She's also the most impatient mare I've ever known, but it's coming slowly.
She's been out and about, only a couple of unaff DR tests, unaff SJ 2'6/2'9, with no drama. She's still pretty stiff & unsupple, so not rushing things, but again it's coming.
So thanks all for your thoughts! I certainly don't regret buying her, and have high hopes for the season.
Pics to follow
WandaMare
Well-Known Member
Hi that's great that you've decided to take a chance with her, wish you all the best of luck together.
I didn't see your post the first time round but i bought a similar mare years ago, she wouldn't hack from yard at all, would throw herself everywhere in a tantrum. Over the course of my first year with her, she really improved without me doing much at all. I really think a lot of it is lack of confidence in the previous rider. Also, she never showed it anywhere else in her ridden work, she was a fab and enthusiastic showjumpter. I was lucky enough to ride and own her for 20 years and she became a confident mare that would hack anywhere, anytime on her own or in company. All the best with your new girl
I didn't see your post the first time round but i bought a similar mare years ago, she wouldn't hack from yard at all, would throw herself everywhere in a tantrum. Over the course of my first year with her, she really improved without me doing much at all. I really think a lot of it is lack of confidence in the previous rider. Also, she never showed it anywhere else in her ridden work, she was a fab and enthusiastic showjumpter. I was lucky enough to ride and own her for 20 years and she became a confident mare that would hack anywhere, anytime on her own or in company. All the best with your new girl
apritina10
Member
from experience it depends why they wont hack,
A horse I know well will not hack at all, he's scared to death of anything with wheels or an engine! years of competent people trying to help him get habituated to thing failed, it was just to stressfull and upsetting for him. Lovely fantastic honest horse would just blindly panic and bolt.
He was bred to event.
In the end, after a lot of consideration he was sold to an agricultural college where he thrives. Big bold and brave which is a great help for students looking to progress.
So what im trying to say is some horses cant be change, hope this is of soem help
A horse I know well will not hack at all, he's scared to death of anything with wheels or an engine! years of competent people trying to help him get habituated to thing failed, it was just to stressfull and upsetting for him. Lovely fantastic honest horse would just blindly panic and bolt.
He was bred to event.
In the end, after a lot of consideration he was sold to an agricultural college where he thrives. Big bold and brave which is a great help for students looking to progress.
So what im trying to say is some horses cant be change, hope this is of soem help
Kenzo
Well-Known Member
That's fantastic news, surprising how far a bit of faith and determination goes.
Good luck to you both.
Good luck to you both.
pedilia
Well-Known Member
Thats great, looking forward to seeing some photos and updates on her progress.
I had a horse a few years ago that was a nightmare to hack, he was just to dangerous to hack alone and a lot of the time in company. He was fantastic in the school , I sold him to a dressage home, he never hacks and he and owner are both happy.
I had a horse a few years ago that was a nightmare to hack, he was just to dangerous to hack alone and a lot of the time in company. He was fantastic in the school , I sold him to a dressage home, he never hacks and he and owner are both happy.
MagicMelon
Well-Known Member
Depends how much you want to hack! I dont hack any of mine so no, it wouldnt bother me.
cellie
Well-Known Member
I did and now she is great hack takes out youngsters on road.My problem is she is too much sj for me .Friend is affiliating her and I could really do with something more laid back due to my age not hers lol.With lots of patience the hacking will come.As in title really. Horse in question is a smart 7yo mare, nice paces, has the basics but needs work on the flat (not hugely supple). Scopey jump, some SJ/XC success at RC level (80/90cm) and showing potential to go much further. No stable vices, clean bill of health, easy to do in stable.
However horse is terribly nappy to hack, alone and in company. Will and does rear and will keeping rearing if pushed.
Would you even consider taking on such a horse?
Any thoughts much appreciated
SpottyTB
Well-Known Member
As in title really. Horse in question is a smart 7yo mare, nice paces, has the basics but needs work on the flat (not hugely supple). Scopey jump, some SJ/XC success at RC level (80/90cm) and showing potential to go much further. No stable vices, clean bill of health, easy to do in stable.
However horse is terribly nappy to hack, alone and in company. Will and does rear and will keeping rearing if pushed.
Would you even consider taking on such a horse?
Any thoughts much appreciated
Hi this is going to sound bizarre but this horse isnt a 16hh grey mare called saffy?
Just had one a few years ago who was terribly nappy but had a lot of potential in the jumping/dressage ring but just would not hack out as was so nappy- this wasn't for me so we sold her as a hunt horse-
In response to your post, it depends what you want to do, if you dont mind schooling and goings to shows then maybe but be warned the napping might carry on to shows- my old mare was brill in the ring but then it started happening at shows and entering the showjumping ring, it's very humiliating!!
Baggybreeches
Well-Known Member
This is the key point I think. One of my friends had the most rude obnoxious old cob who was bought as a 5yo, he was eventually PTS at 22. When she got a new horse he frightened her half to death quite often with nothing more than a sharp spook, but you see this time she was 17 years more experienced and knew what was good and what was naughty.