Now I have issues hacking alone...

[kt with Hanni]

Hi,

You may remember recently I had a thread on here about hacking in open fields and how scared I was...I seem to have sussed that one now, thanks to everyone on here who gave me great advice and support - Thank you!!! We've been having lovely controlled canters in open spaces :-) :-) :-)

Now I need your fantastic help again. I have no problems hacking alone with someone on the ground and Hanni seems to be more confident that way however I don't want to rely on someone to walk with me. When i've previously tried hacking him alone he is quite spooky, neighs all the time and is very reluctant to go forward. It sometimes feels like he may just turn around and head back home. Any tips? Thanks

[Casper]

Hi Kt. How about going out with your foot solder a few more times - but gradually getting them to stay further and further back until you are out there on your own? And for you, keep breathing and focus on a particular point in the distance and ride Hanni to it. No if's, no buts, just keep focused and take him there. Don't even for a second think that he won't go forward. And before you know it, you'll be out there solo hacking just as well as you have been doing in company and with your foot soldiers.

Good luck, let us know how you get on.

[js]

Well I was going to say almost exactly the same as Casper ie. keep your friend at foot and ask her (or him?) to just gradually fall back more and more. It'll help you knowing they're there even if the end up being 10+feet behind you until the day comes when you decide you'd like to try it alone.

It takes a lot of guts to hack alone if you're nervous. I've only just started and I still feel a bit anxious until we're in sight of home. But.... it does get easier the more I do it. It's just a time thing and you need to take some pressure of yourself by forcing too much too soon.

Good luck X

[Persianhorse]

Hi:

Echo all the above.

Adding one simple thing each time you want to head back for the stable come off from your horse in a different places and loosen the girth , this will solve much of the problem that your horse wants to head back for the stable.

Best wishes.