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Post by nagsequestrian on Apr 5, 2011 18:01:27 GMT 1
I wouldn't say I am a nervous rider in general, but when it comes to hacking out on my own the nerves really kick in.  My boy has a habit of winding other horses up, and he is quite fast, which means that I don't have anyone to do fast hacks out with. I did do endurance on him, but he isn't the best traveler and I was nervous to do the rides on my own, I used to drag my mother with me on her welsh cob but she dislikes organized rides (she's a nervous rider) so I have stopped doing endurance. I also have my youngster and would love to be able to do endurance/trec on her, but although she is a bit more of a sensible temperament than my boy, and a good traveler, I can see my being nervous to hack out alone holding us back. I think it stems from breaking my collar bone, I did have a friend with me at the time, but I think I have realized it could have been so much worse if I didn't have anyone with me. I used to hack out on my IDxTB girl on my own all the time when I was younger and I loved it. I would love to be able to go out on my lad and have a good trot and canter without having to keep an eye on whoever is out with me. Does anyone have any tips on how I could overcome this fear? |
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Post by sned on Apr 5, 2011 18:30:43 GMT 1
Have you read Kelly's perfect confidence?
I know how it feels to have a fear of something after an accident I used to ride out on trotting horses and sometimes a bridle with blinkers was all that was available and out a hack the horse tried to avoid a puddle stepped onto the edge of the banking and it gave way the horse fell about 6ft and landed with its legs trapped under a small bridge and luckily I bounced off a little tree and landed back on the track, although I wasn't hurt and the horse only had a few small scrapes on his back legs I am now terrified of being on a track with a drop at the side. I always thought that I could trust the horses not to fall but now it has happened (about 8 years ago now) I tense up and shake if I get too near the edge or if the horse spooks or trips on a track with a banking down one side. I have to say I gets easier if I keep pushing the boundaries but I have to keep it up if I always play safe I get more worried about it
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Post by nagsequestrian on Apr 6, 2011 10:09:49 GMT 1
Yes I have the perfect confidence book  I spoke about it with my mother last night and she has said she will accompany me in the car so I have assistance if I need it. She won't be able to get down the bridlepath but at least there will be someone there to catch my horse if I don't come back and call the ambulance,lol. |
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Post by nagsequestrian on Apr 6, 2011 10:10:13 GMT 1
Yes I have the perfect confidence book I spoke about it with my mother last night and she has said she will accompany me in the car so I have assistance if I need it. She won't be able to get down the bridlepath but at least there will be someone there to catch my horse if I don't come back and call the ambulance,lol. |
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Post by sned on Apr 6, 2011 12:45:10 GMT 1
thats nice of her a friend on a bike might be good if you had any fitness freak friends |
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jinglejoys
Grand Prix Poster
Grand Prix Poster
Posts: 3,503
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Post by jinglejoys on Apr 6, 2011 22:55:43 GMT 1
Got no choice,have to hack Malaga alone but I think unless I went with someone who worked the same as me I wouldn't want anyone else around anyway |
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Post by cookie on Apr 7, 2011 7:59:49 GMT 1
Build it up slowly. I'm not the most confident but love hacking on my own. I'm lucky that my boy is generally very good. But I build it up slowly. Starting with walks round the yard after a schooling session. Even going round the perimeters of our fields, transitions, different directions, shallow loops, all building up control and therefore confidence. Then when we venture out alone it's short distances, building up. Still hacking with others between times, particularly for 'scary' routes or obstacles. Break it down into small, short rides and before you know it you ll be hacking alone. If that's what you want. Not hacking alone is always a valid choice too tho! |
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Post by anastasia55555 on Apr 7, 2011 8:23:23 GMT 1
Its a shame you dont live closer i would ride out with you and id like to find out about endurance.
I guess start with little and often. Take a mobile phone, also i had a tag attached to my saddle with my details on, apollos name, where he lived and my mobile number incase i was missing. Also wearing hiviz even if you dont ride on the road means you would be spotted quicker if you did fall. Tell someone when, where and how long roughly your going for so they know to ring or come and find you if your not back by roughly when you say you will be. If you could find someone to cycle,walk or dog walk with you so you arent completely alone. As for the endurance rides, there must be forums or websites where the people that go to them chat etc, that way u could get to know some other people and meet up when you go to the organised events.
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Post by nagsequestrian on Apr 13, 2011 12:40:56 GMT 1
I've been putting it off but today is supposed to be the day I take him out on my own, but I'm still trying to think of excuses (and justify to myself) why I should put it off for another day. I'm wondering whether to just do it, get it over with and then I'll be more confident, or wait until I really want to do it (if I ever do). |
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Post by anastasia55555 on Apr 13, 2011 12:54:33 GMT 1
Maybe just go out for a walk in hand together if still not 100% on wanting to ride out alone
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Post by nagsequestrian on Apr 13, 2011 13:08:00 GMT 1
He's a lot better to lead than he was (he used to run off in hand) but I wouldn't trust him to lead him on the roads. I can ride him fine in company, and we have been out together on our own and all has been well, but I'm still feeling unconfident to go out on our own for a hack (we have country lanes but they are very busy). We have a private road that I will happily ride him out on, but it's boring (for him and me).
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Post by nagsequestrian on May 18, 2011 14:50:30 GMT 1
Just thought I would update on this as I have been putting it off a lot.
Today I thought 'what the hell' and I took him out for a solo hack in the rain. He was lovely and quiet on the way out, we had a lovely sideway scanter up the bridleway and then he was a bit strong and did his stonking trot/gait all the way home, although we did manage a nice walk on long reins back to the field.
I felt really nervous about it when I was in the house, but as soon as I put my tack in the car I felt fine and didn't feel nervous at all.
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Post by Dalesgirl on May 18, 2011 15:04:22 GMT 1
well done that's a big step I get nervous hacking out alone as well,sometimes I'm ok but other times the nerves kick in. Little and often seems to be the way to go...good luck x |
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Post by nagsequestrian on May 18, 2011 15:11:50 GMT 1
I've set myself a challenge of competing in a Trec competition in September so I'm trying to get us both fit and used to going out on our own before then. Hopefully having a goal is going to give me to kick up the bum I need.
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Post by georgina23 on May 18, 2011 15:52:03 GMT 1
Well done
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