Solo hack today

[MadMumInKent]

Hi all, I did some schooling today with Pumpkin and decide to reward us both with a plod down the lane. (small lane, short plod!) Anyway, we got so far that we were out of sight of the yard, when Pumpkin decided that actually he didn't want to go any further. I managed to push him on and it was going well, until he called to his field buddy, who heard him and called back. That was the deciding factor for Pumpkin, he decided he really would rather be back at the yard, and feeling my legs go to jelly, I didn't push it any further and back home we went. Came into the yard with a guilty look on my face and explained to my YO what had happened and how naughty I was letting him get away with it. So she came on foot and we tried again. We got a little further this time, but there came a point where he got worried and started backing up etc. My worry was he would back up so much we'd end up in the ditch. YO helped me loads, led him in the direction we wanted to go, and in the end I won the battle. Tomorrow we are going to try again, and go a little further.

Just wondered though, when horses are feeling worried like this (Pumpkin isn't a happy fella when he's without his mates), do they realise they are about to back into a ditch, or will they just keep backing up regardless? I don't want to end up with a horse on top of me!

Not really looking for advice, just sounding off really. Its bad enough being a nervous hacker, without having to deal with a horse that doesn't want to go!

Anyway, apart from that, our hacks in company are going really well, I get to a point where I feel myself relaxing, so all is good and I'm enjoying it again :)

[amandal]

As a fellow nervous hacker I think you've done wonderfully, you managed to get him going past the point he wanted to stop so you won that battle. :D

re backing up - I don't know, the problem with Ziz is hacking isn't normally her stopping but getting her to stop - or stop jumping out of her skin and then bolting.

[GeeJay]

If my ex riding school boy is anything to go by, it will probably take some time and patience before Pumpkin is hacking out happily on his own, so don't worry you will get there eventually. My boy was the nappy beast from hell initially and now we hack out solo every day so it's amazing how things can change over time. In my experience my horse would keep on backing into a ditch or a hedge or whatever :rolleyes: but I don't know if this is the case for all horses.

[GOBBY]

I have lost my confidence to hack out on my own now, as none of ours are easy on theyre own, apart from 1 that im to heavy for typical!!! but what i do is lead another out with me,people have this misconception that i must be more than competant, the truth is this is the only way i have any confidence to ride on my own as i know they will be angels in one anothers company,as my problem is getting mine away from home becouse of them calling to each other, my daughter is 13 and tuts in disgust at how pathetic i am, sah forgets i taught her!!! i think its the age thing for me, im pettrified il have a accident and then worry whos going to do, horses, school runs, cooking etc, but a big well done to you, keep up the good work.

[pedantic]

Dont worry, just keep trying, I had to give in a few times with Po at the beggining, especially after my accident, at times I could have shot him, eventually I suddenly aqquired confident determination from nowhere and would push him to do whatever was required, sometimes spending 20 minutes to get over a narrow wooden bridge or 5 mins or more to make him go into the school AFTER being out hacking, that was a feat in itself as if we worked in the school he wouldn't go out or visa versa, just keep going at your own pace and it will come, it's pretty amazing how once you have mastered them a couple of times they only put up a token gesture from then on, or until someone less confident gets on them, then they will take the mickey :), keep at it, it will come.

[Stella2]

Well done you :) I know the 'jelly leg' feeling :rolleyes: and I know how hard it is to carry on when it arrives :rolleyes: But you did, you went out again (it still counts if we have).

I think rather than let him turn around and go back, I'd be inclined to dismount and walk him in hand a little further, do a small loop somewhere and then go home (remount if you can and if you can't just continue to lead). Kelly Marks tells that its nonsense to say that a horse 'has won' if you get off and lead (as some people believe), rather you are simply being their leader and giving them confidence. I find that very reasuring because it means we can always have the option to get off without worrying about that being a negative thing.

With regard to the backing into ditches question, I'm sorry to say that, based on my limited experiences, and the experiences of friends, they will back up into anything because their mind is on the arguement with the rider or on what is in front of them, certainly not on what is behind :eek: So keep safe.

[cazrider]

Well done for going back and trying again MMIK:D Sennie was just the same when I first got him. He'd try napping as well. What he needed to understand was that I was in charge and wouldn't allow anything to happen to him. That also meant not allowing him to get away with napping. It does take a while, but now, he will still try it occasionally, but gives in very quickly at the first sign of me insisting. Now, it's really a try on. My guess from what I've read of Pumpkin is he's similar. Lovely nature and would never do you any harm, but he just needs to learn that he can have confidence in you as his rider, so he doesn't need to have to take confidence from other horses. As in fact they want you to take the lead. It worries them when they have to.

You said in a different thread that you have an orchard you can ride round, where he can see his friends, but is a reasonable distance away, as I remember. I think I'd try riding round there a few times as well, just to get his and your confidence up. The more you do it,the easier it will get for both of you. BTW, I think you have a gem as a YO;)

Re the ditch thing. I agree with the others, he isn't thinking about the ditch at all, and may well back into it.

I've also found that with horses like Sennie and Pumpkin, and my first horse Apache, that they will give in. And its usually just after you're thinking of throwing in the towel. So, when you get to the point of thinking. "OK, I've had enough of this now" just give it another few minutes. Then he'll suddenly give in if my two are anything to go by.;) It may not work for you, but it has worked with both of mine.

Keep up the good work:D

[Dummer&Drummer]

well done :) know how you feel. ive only made it out once alone with my horse then the dark nights came - loads of people hack from our yard at the weekend so dont 'choose' to go alone :) aiming to in the spring though. im really lucky my friend has started hacking out the short ride i want to do in the spring with my horse and she reckons my horse is being good.

baffles me, he wont take the lead in a group AT ALL but seems ok hacking alone, is that normal, wheres the horse logic in that ?

you must be very pleased with yourself i know i would be :)

[ANN H]

Well done MMIK. I had a bit of trouble getting Misty over the flyover at the weekend as she was very hesitant (it was the farthest we've ever been), but I managed to walk her on without too much trouble. Keep up the good work.

[Little Dolphins]

When you are a young kid, you never imagine toppling into the ditch- so, you don't get jelly legs. If you are a tough and experienced YO , you say to your horse "Oi! Stop messing about and GET ON there!" Bish-bash-bosh-sorted.

BUT , those of us who do not fall into the above categories need help and reassurance, don't we.WELL DONE for going at it again. I'm certain that with time, you and Pumpkin will achieve the confidence to hack out on your own.

;)

[newnovice]

MMIK, I know you're not looking for advice and I'm certainly not qualified to give any. But...I recently read an article about horses who are reluctant to leave their friends and go out on trail rides (U.S. version of hacks, I guess) and that author suggested to make going home "unpleasant", meaning going back into the ring and having a schooling session at the end of every ride out, so that the horse is not so eager to get back home. This author suggested that most of us do a schooling session in the arena and then head out on trail, then come back to the barn and get right off, which makes them want to get back to the barn faster. He said to always end a trail ride with a schooling session so that the horse is more eager to go out than come back.

Your post made me think of this article, so thought I'd share. I'm super impressed that you went out alone. I've only gone through the arena gate once, with my trainer leading my horse!

[NoviceNic]

Do you think you may have been pulling on the reins that much that it made Pumpkin back up??? Just a thought. But well done you for having a go. But stick wth making him go forward. Never let him turn around when he wants too. Even if you just make him go further just a little bit more...:)

[domane]

Well done MMIK!!

I just wondered if Pumpkin is picking up on your nerves and playing you up a bit as he feels you being nervous so thinks there is something to be nervous about himself and so acts a little unusually?

Also, because you don't tend to hack out, he has got used to being in familiar surroundings so I would suggest you hack out MORE so that he gets used to leaving his mates behind.

Having just bought Chez last month I thought nothing (and this isn't me bragging, just an observation) of hacking her out on her own as when I shared Paddy that was my only option and I realised that all the way out Cherry would weave all over the road, looking for an opportunity to politely turn around so she could head back (definitely not napping, she was always very polite - like a "erm... is THIS where we can turn round please?"). I then realised that she had always been ridden out in company by her previous owner (together with her husband) but I have persevered and Cherry is a lot more settled now and doesn't try it on anymore.

Give it time and both of your confidences will build... ;)