Hacking problems

[cassy]

I have a heavyweight cob on loan and apart from problems with him leaning on the bit and being difficult to steer in the school, I have problems hacking him out alone. He leaves the yard ok then at the end of the drive tries to turn and go back, not too much of a problem; we carry on down the road and all the time he is looking behind and given the chance would turn round and head back. I use voice, strong leg aids backed up with a tap of the whip, a strong contact (unfortunately I need this at the moment); sometimes he neighs loudly. This struggle continues for about a mile and then he seems to settle and we have a pleasant hack out, I talk and sing to him and re-assure him if we meet something scary. But, on the way home the same thing happens but in reverse. The head goes up and he walk very quickly towards home, sometimes jogging. If another horse (any horse) neighs he replies with ear shattering volume. As soon as we turn down the drive he relaxes and become Mr Plodd. Any suggestions would be helpful.

[Sammii]

This is probably not going to be helpful AT all, but aslong as he isn't dangerous and isn't scaring you, I'd carry on and he will get used to it and settle down.

That's what I've had to do with my cob and we persevered and both love solo hacking now :)

[Trewsers]

Yep, I think thats right, so long as things aren't getting too hairy, just persist and gradually he'll get better. Was a time when Storm wouldn't go further than the bloomin post box near my old yard, I never thought we'd get going! Thiings improved over time.

[shandy84]

I had the same problem with mine, but she has grown out of it as she has become more confident. Personally I would just continue and be firm, if he rushes for home too much make him go further away than he expects until he settles :)

[Miriam]

How long have you had him? Peter used to neigh loudly as we left the yard and past the fields with the horses in when I first got him. Now he's settled he does not bother. Probelm I have with him at the moment is things are out to get him that he has never bothered with before. He is usually so sensible now he is a little spooky

[Joyscarer]

I would agree with the others but try not to take things too far. Gradually extend out the distance away from the yard you are travelling. :)

My mare was dangerous when I first attempted it. I hacked out in company for a while and took out for in hand walks solo which she was fine with.

Then after a partuclarly good session in the school when we were both chilled, I though 'why not?' and off we went. Haven't looked back since :)

[blues mum]

with all the others that it takes time, but also do lots of ground work, get his trust.

[cassy]

I have been riding him for 3 weeks but have only hacked him out 3 times on his own. I know I should be braver and take him out more often but my excuse is I like to give him variety, so, schooling, lunging, in hand work and hacks in company.

[Harry Hobbes]

Any suggestions would be helpful.Do a search on the phrase "Cloverleaf Pattern" or the individual words for an effective training technique.

If you want the horse to hack out with confidence, you (or someone) will have to specifically target building his confidence; via training. That's the purpose of the Cloverleaf Pattern.

Best regards,
Harry

[ANN H]

I have been riding him for 3 weeks but have only hacked him out 3 times on his own. I know I should be braver and take him out more often but my excuse is I like to give him variety, so, schooling, lunging, in hand work and hacks in company.

I don't think that's an excuse - I think its a very good idea. You're doing very well for only three weeks. Took me about three years to hack happily!

[cassy]

Still struggling with the hacking alone. The neighing has stopped when leaving home but he is very tense for most of the hack and I really have to work hard at keeping calm and in control of him and my nerves. I am sure he has inbuilt sat nav as he weaves around trotting away from home but if we are heading home he is very focused and keen. How can I get him to chill??

[fairlady]

I think you are doing really well:) as long as you can remain calm and keep him going forward without getting into too much of a battle, you are suceeding:)

Most horses have inbuilt 'sat nav' for the journey home, but again if you can remain calm, and he is not attempting to 'bolt' home, you are winning:)

Well done, can't be easy, but if you remain doing what you are doing, as well as you are doing it, I am sure you will get there in the end:)

[cassy]

Hacked out with his field companion today, he led the way and was totally chilled, quite a different horse than when he is alone. I am going out on him tomorrow alone and will see what he is like. Hope the warm sunshine will work the calming magic!

[Tiggy02]

Don't forget you are new to him (has he moved to a new location as well) its a lot for a horse to cope with and also he does not know you very well and is probably not very confident in your ability. It will get better and you sound quite confident so just take things slowly and you will see the benefits. Good luck and singing and just chatting to them does work as if you seem relaxed it will relax him as well - it can take up to a year to establish a firm relationship with a new horse so you are doing very well at the moment.

[fairlady]

Yes, spend lots of time getting to know him, it is a lot for a horse to hack out alone especially in new places, and with a new rider. I think its a good thing if you can hack out alone and occasionally with company, nice to mix and match. I also think that riders are more relaxed with company, especially on a new horse. When you are hacking with company, you tend to chat to your mate about all sorts, and although concentrating on your riding, you are more relaxed, without being aware, because you are chatting about what you did last night or what you are going to do tonight (I am anyway cos I can chat for England:))

Sounds like you are having a few initial problems but coping with it all very well. Spend time on your groundwork as well and I am sure as your bond forms and he is ridden out and about more, the problems will iron out.

[x x Summer x x]

Im having the same problem, I knew when i got my TB he wasnt very good solo, but our village is much busier than where he came from, he is a little spooky out with company but on his own he didnt feel at all safe.

He jogged forward when a car past from behind, everything was going to get him and he put himself out in the road and i couldnt get him back as hed set his neck, my OH walked with us and gave him a little confidence, he didnt try to nap but at the same time being so high up was making me nervous which made him worse as he really picks up on my feeling.

He gets very upset if he cannot see his companion however once tacked up this seems to disperse, i think its all probably new home nerves as hes only been with us 2 weeks, we have fenced of a schooling area so he knows thats where he works, he still jogs back to the gate and can be quite strong, but i have seen him work nicely and he rides out well with others.

[dunrobin_topper]

Hey there this is my first ever post on NR website :)

I think you are very brave hacking alone! I started hacking my welsh cob x out alone and he was a nervous wreck, wouldnt even leave the yard at first! My tips would be use gentle pursuation only and dont lose it with him! Ride out with someone walking also helps as this gives them confidence, dont ask for too much too soon, we had to resort to little baby steps at first so when he got to a point he wasnt sure of a few more steps forward then a circle then walking home. If it gets too much, as it did with mine we did some inhand work and i just hopped off and led for a bit...i just didnt want a battle as he was gonna win! stubborn gelding you see!!

I would also recommend not to trot home if they start jogging as this sometimes encourages them to take off! It hasnt happened yet with me as we took everything very slowly but making things as fun and easy as possible helps so they dont feel threatened and out of their depth! (out of your depth too!) Changing your route everytime you ride is also a good plan too as this varies things for them and keeps their minds occupied so they dont want to dash home so quickly!!

GOOD LUCK!!!! :)

[cassy]

Went out alone again today. Horse reluctant and jumpy going away from home needed lots of leg and encouragement.We trotted up a stubble field and he shied and I lost my stirrup but managed to retrieve it. Went along another stubble and asked for canter, another shy and pulling to the right all the time (right is the way home). Sang to him through some spooky bushes, no shying this time. Walked calmly across field (on homeward stretch now). Neverous wreck going through spooky farmyard but kept singing!!! Walked down road toward stable quite quickly. Turned down yard road, back to Mr Plod (thank goodness for that). Well when I got off I told myself all the positive aspects of our hack! Going to Burleigh tomorrow so will give him and me the day off.
I think he is very insecure and napping. I have just spent the summer holidays riding him, nearly every day and I am sure he is also a bit too fit.

[fairlady]

Oh well done, glad you got through it. That took a lot of nerve. As your bond grows with him and you have more confidence in each other things will get easier. Don't ever be afraid of getting off and leading him past something really scarey rather than putting yourself or him at risk. He will thank you for it in the longrun if he feels he can rely on you to get him past the 'scarey monsters' safely and look to you for the reassurance.:)

Sounds like you are doing fine:)

[NicP]

Well done! It sounds like you are really on the up now - I'm having similar issues and working through them too!

[cassy]

I have to admit that I didn't feel at all brave and I found myself holding my breath at times. Is it advisable to get off and lead? I have never tried this.