Preparing a young horse to hack out alone Pics P3

[vels mum]

This is something me and Vel will have to do when he is backed. I am not at a yard and we will more than probably have to ride out a lot of the time on our own.
I know a lot of horses dont like hacking out alone and am just wondering if there is anything I could be doing with him now to prepare him for this?

We do walk in hand on the road on our own but we often get a certain distance then he doesnt want to go any further, however if one of the other horses are out with us he is happy to go as far as I decide.
When we are out alone and he decides thats far enough I mostly go with him and turn back when he gets nervous, I feel I dont want to push him on too much as he is still young and dont want to make our walks out something he will not look forward to? Should I be pushing him on and showing him we could go further on our own? Would this help us in the future when we hack out?

Any ideas or tips welcome :)

[Autumn]

I wouldn't let Vel decide when he's had enough, I would push him past his comfort barrier, even if only by a short distance, but make sure it's you who decides when to head for home. Is there anyone who can walk out in hand with you? When I was taking Charlie out in hand, i'd get my hubby and dogs to walk with us as company (and backup if needed!). x

[Savvy]

Agree don't let him dictate when you go back or where you turn etc. If he is genuinely nervous and not just deciding he's had enough I would still push him a little bit further so its your decision to turn or alternatively take him on shorter walks where you make the decision to go home before he does.

Longreining is also good for horses confidence so there not just following you, very beneficial before riding!

[My Crazy Clan]

I would also push him past, every time you get to that point hes going to want to go home, so every time he will be jittery.

I would take him out for long walks and also long rein him but if you find him to much stick to walking out in hand before going back to long reining because I can see him still stopping at the same point, there is nothing worse then having them go everyway but the right way when you have your handfuls with 2 reins lol

[Roan Mare]

I would also encourage him on past that point where he wants to go home, even if it's just a little further.

I would be tempted to start off with short walks, encouraging him on when he wants to stop but taking him home as a "reward" when he's walking forward nicely.

In time you should be able to make your walks longer and longer and a pleasurable experience for both of you :)

As others have said long reining is also good. I've seen it work well for other people although I've not tried it myself.

Let us know how you get on x

[Tiaki]

I agree with the others in the sense of not letting Vel decide when it is time to come home. If anything, this will just cause problems later on in life.

I would continue with your walks out in hand. Try to vary the routes you take if possible and never go to the same point each time. Even if you only go an extra 100yards up the road, or finish 100yards early, make sure you head home when you decide, not Vel.

Long reining is also good so that is something else you can do when he is ready.

If he starts to predict or get pushy when it's time to head home, ask him to stand and wait until he calms down, then move on, or just keep him moving forward until he has settled.

The more boundaries you can set now and get Vel used to them, the better it will be for the both of you in the long run :)

xxx

[vels mum]

Some great replies, thanks muchly guys x

[CityLights]

we aways take out the baby horse with antoehr to begin with we are quite lucky that we have a few horses we can hack out with, at firs tehy go out with one that you can ride shouler with, we come up agasint some large traffic, when they prove good with him we then take them out with another horse who hacks out way in front of them they have the security of the horse being there without having to cling to something eventaully they start to hack out alone

some people never hack out with another horse and never come up agasint any problems just got to try it out and see what happends

with my ponies mum would always walk with me just for safety and a little confidence horses often drawn confidecne from you or the person on the ground if there isnt another horse around so a horse isnt necessarily essential

[Roan Mare]

some people never hack out with another horse and never come up agasint any problems just got to try it out and see what happends

Good point. Also, I've come accross horses and ponies that are great to hack out alone but a complete nightmare in company! Best to see how it goes :)

[lilholley]

I think it always helps if you can do a circular route, that way there is no point when you have to stop and turn around for home. Otherwise I think they can learn that if they just turn around they get to go home.
My Bella loves playing chase the bike, maybe you could get someone on a bike to accompany you for a few hacks?

[dun blonde]

I think it always helps if you can do a circular route, that way there is no point when you have to stop and turn around for home. Otherwise I think they can learn that if they just turn around they get to go home.


I was going to say exactly this,is there not a loop you can do??,then there isn't a reason for him to want to turn back,as that's not the only way home,and will hopefully avoid the planting and turning for home problem that could arise otherwise.

I would also recommend long reining,next best thing to being on board,and prepares them well for riding,he will have to face a certain amount of stuff on his own then as well,as you will be behind.It is also easier to drive them foreward from behind of course if they do stop.

My only other suggestion would be just do it as much as poss so it becomes routine,it rules out the whole fear of the unknown thing.Your lad seems a sensible sort,and am sure once he does something enough times,he will be calm about it.

Good luck with him,he sure is a lovely boy:)

[fougere]

I was lucky when Bracken was a baby because we had lots of circular routes to do. I never liked just turning round and returning home incase he learnt to do thatas a matter of course.
He's a bold type, though, and liked exploring so has taken to hacking alone without any problems. I think alot will depend on your horse's nature, but don't let him dictate when to return home. That must be your decision.

[vels mum]

Thanks for all advise, I was thinking we dont have a circular route we could take but actually we do but a lot of it is off road, a path between 2 fences kind of goes around the field on the hill, so will give that a try the next time we go walkies, may also be a good route to take long reining as he cant go off track and no worries about meeting a car, perfect!
As for the fact ive been kind of letting him tell me when to turn back I will defo stop that, even if I make him walk on a few more yards.

[vels mum]

Good luck with him,he sure is a lovely boy:)

Awe thanks, thats a nice thing to say x

[Tnavas]

Leading out in hand is such a brillient way of introducing a young horse to hacking but definately don't let him decide when he's had enough. You are in charge. So as others have said push him past his comfort zone and continue the walk until you are ready to go home.

[vels mum]

Apple - will get someone to take pics next time we are out, here is him being a good boy when we went out with his saddle.
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/helphorses/DSC02053.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/helphorses/DSC02052.jpg
And a couple of him waiting for his dinner
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/helphorses/DSC02043.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/helphorses/DSC02042.jpg

[My Crazy Clan]

Hes beautiful, really love him in red.

[mermer]

Arrh, he is lovely.

I got my 5 year old 3 months ago and he was awful to hack out alone. I can now get him to go any where although we do have a few spooks and naps! All our circular routes are long, so I normally need to turn around. I usually make him stop for a while and then if the path is wide enough do a few circles and shapes. He then seems to forget which way home is! I have one bit as we leave the yard where he always naps, I often do the circling business there if i cant get him passed it and then he forgets and walks on! The main thing I have found is to do lots on our own. Riding, in hand, long reining etc. First of all I did have someone walk with us, then I would do the same route in hand and then ride him. With the in hand I did sometimes give him a treat if we'd gone a bit further. I also really notice the difference if we have been out with another horse a few times and then I ask him to go on his own. I agree with everyone else about not letting him dictate, even if you do the circling and then turn back, at least he's done it when you said. I've got to brave the traffic on our own next :scared:

Good luck!

[fougere]

He certainly is a beauty.