overcome hacking issues

or many riders, hacking out is their favourite activity. Nothing else beats a great ride in the Fcountryside or a canter on the beach and the amazing feeling of being at one with your . The expert However, for some – whose horse may Justine Harrison not want to leave the yard or will nap, spin and attempt to turn for home, it’s Justine is a qualified an activity to dread and a reason to equine behaviourist who become confined to the arena. applies the science of All of these behaviours can knock behaviour and learning the confidence of even the most to help horse owners experienced rider. solve a wide range of But what most people don’t think problems. Visit: www. about is that can lose confidence equinebehaviourist.co.uk. too. We are asking them to leave the security of their home and ‘herd’, so we should prepare and train them to deal with anything they may encounter. Many riders say that a horse napping rearing or bolting came ‘out of the blue’. But if your horse panics out on a ride, he has probably been giving you warning signs for a while that have been missed. The key to avoiding problems is noticing these signals, understanding what they mean and taking action to resolve them, before the situation gets Equine behaviourist out of hand. Justine Harrison looks Why do horses nap? at the reasons why horses Horses that nap are often labelled as nap and spook and offers ‘naughty’ or ‘stubborn’ but this is unhelpful because there will always be sound advice to help you at least one fundamental reason for the enjoy riding out again behaviour, for example:- l Separation anxiety: Horses are herd animals and leaving the security of their home and equine friends can be frightening. Separation anxiety – where the horse is reluctant to leave a field companion and will neigh for them – may be caused by early or abrupt weaning, poor socialisation with

Rule out pain Happier When a horse shows a change in behaviour, rule out any possible physical issues. Have the horse’s teeth and back checked by a vet and ensure your tack fits well and is not causing discomfort or pain. Consider if any management changes could have resulted in the behaviour, too. If you need a strong to control your horse on a hack, ask yourself what he may be hacking running away from.

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This could result in bucking, spinning, The eye can indicate if a horse is anxious rearing, bolting or running backwards. Some warning signs are very subtle. Watch for the eye changing from being "Bolting came out of the blue" relaxed, soft and round to having a Debbie Peterson from Cheshire kept stand still if asked – something clear, triangulated eyebrow position. her mare Jasmine at a livery yard on she would do in an arena without hesitation,” says Justine. “Also, over Tension in the face, a tucked chin, tight a busy main road. Hacking out meant the last couple of years she had lips, high head carriage or stiff body she had to ride on narrow roads with become increasingly headstrong and posture are also indicators of anxiety. blind corners. “One day, a car passed too close often pulled her head down to try and Why not ask a friend to walk Case Study and too fast," says Debbie. "Jasmine avoid the bit. alongside your horse as you hack out reared and bolted for home, along “Debbie hadn’t realised these and watch for any of the above? several dangerous main roads. We behaviours could be signs of anxiety were lucky to get home uninjured. and had used a flash noseband to stop Overcoming the issues "From that point, Jasmine refused the mare opening her mouth. There are no quick fixes and hacking- to leave the yard and would rear, "This didn’t stop the anxiety, just l Rider confidence: Studies have shown related issues can be complex to deal spin and nap. hid one of the ways Jasmine showed that if a rider is nervous, the horse may with. Retraining a fearful or anxious “Previously, Jasmine was bold to she was uncomfortable. ”Debbie moved the horse to a yard become anxious, too. horse needs a well-structured and hack out and the bolting came out on a quiet, private lane and once the l of the blue.” Learned behaviour: If, for any of patient approach. horse settled, led her out for short the above reasons, a horse has napped Take things slowly and rebuild your Debbie worked with Justine distances, with another horse. and been returned to his field or horse’s confidence in small steps. Harrison to find a solution. “After speaking to Debbie, I learned “We let the horses graze on verges stable, he will have learned that the Forcing him or punishing his behaviour that Jasmine had always jogged and and browse on hedgerows,” adds strategy works, and therefore will will only reinforce his fears, so take the spooked on hacks, and would never Debbie. “This taught Jasmine about repeat it. The initial problem still needs carrot rather than the stick approach. her new environment, changed her to be addressed. Encourage your horse and reward him negative associations of leaving the While some horses may get Ask a friend with a car to over-excited at the prospect of If you have a bought a new horse for every small step he takes. yard to be more positive and started help you reintroduce your to build her confidence up again. a canter, others could be anxious from and are having problems, it is horse to traffic about what is ahead “I enlisted the help of some friends worth considering something Tackling separation anxiety TIP and they drove past Jasmine slowly to may have happened to him If your horse worries about leaving his the TOP reintroduce her to traffic. other horses or before he came to you. companions, arrange for him to spend Take a step-by-step “They started from a distance and social isolation plenty of time with a sensible, well- gradually came closer and I gave her Spooking (being kept in approach to training and opt Warning signs socialised companion and practise treats as they went past. a field alone or for steady progress. Don't A ‘napping’ horse gives clear short separations. Take him a couple “We have started hacking out rush your horse. isHorses naturallynatural spook or shy – a brief startle stabled for long signals and will stop or reverse of steps away from his friend at first over short distances in company and at something moving in the undergrowth or periods of time instead of moving forward. But and increase the distance gradually I feel I’m well on the way to solving an unexpected noise is a perfectly normal without equine contact). how do you pick up on the more over subsequent sessions, rewarding the problems.” reaction. They may also turn or tilt their head l Anticipation of a traumatic subtle signs which indicate a horse is at every stage. to get a good look at something on the experience: A horse will instinctively unhappy about riding out? ground, or to hear sounds more clearly. avoid anything he associates with a If he drags his heels at leaving the Boosting confidence But if your horse spooks excessively, or potentially threatening situation. If yard, freezes or tries to turn in a different Build confidence by introducing has an exaggerated reaction when he shies, he has been frightened or punished direction to the one you want to go, he your horse to novel stimuli in a safe this is a sure sign he is insecure and lacking while out riding, he may try anything is telling you he is uncomfortable with environment (see ‘Spookbusting’, Once he is relaxed with this, ask him in confidence. Punishing him will only make matters to prevent it happening again. what is being asked of him. page 20). Another thing you can do is to stop for a few seconds while your worse. Allow him to have a good look at l The memory of pain: This could be Your horse may have separation hack or out your horse for short friend rides ahead a few metres. Then, whatever he’s worried about and praise him due to ill-fitting tack, an injury which anxiety. If he is distressed and reluctant distances, accompanied by a friend on walk on to catch them up. for each step he takes forwards. occurred while out hacking, a rider’s to leave field companions, or is fidgety a sensible equine companion. Next, lead him past the other horse poor technique causing discomfort, and calls to his friends when he’s away before stopping, and ask the companion being ridden when lame or having an from them – even in his stable – this to catch up. Gradually increase the Refine control in the undiagnosed physical problem. must be dealt with before considering school before going distances involved. l Being asked to do too much, too hacking out alone. out on the roads soon: Hacking a new or young horse in Jogging, spooking excessively, refusing Training a young or an unfamiliar environment can result to stand still, sweating up, head tossing, nervous horse in problems arising. It can take weeks or tail swishing, snatching at the bit, Introduce new environments gradually. months for horses to settle in a new home opening the mouth, teeth grinding or You could long- your youngster, ride and feel confident, so allow time for him being difficult to stop can all indicate a and lead (leading him from another to explore and introduce him to new horse is anxious or in pain. horse) or hack out somewhere quiet. At objects and situations slowly. Ignoring these signs and forcing your first, do any of the above with a calm, Horses may spook l Fear of other horses: Getting bullied horse to go forward might mean he sensible equine companion. Lead your horse at something new in the field can cause a horse to be carries on reluctantly for a while. Lead your horse short distances to or unexpected out in-hand to help fearful of a hacking partner. He may But sooner or later the problems graze or browse hedgerows, in the build confidence want to avoid their company. will escalate. company of his horse friend, so

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Turn spooky objects into everyday things “We used the 'leapfrog' exercise" Karen Taylor's 12-year-old gelding, rode out in company, to try and Felix, had been great to hack out rebuild Jake’s confidence. alone but after he was frightened by “The jogging and head tossing a dog jumping at a gate, he became stopped, Jake's spookiness decreased spooky and would toss his head. and he had a swing in his stride.” Case Study “In five years of owning Jake, he’d At this point Karen introduced the never done this before,” says Karen. ‘leapfrog’ exercise – asking Jake to “I found a sensible hacking buddy and stop and wait while her friend rode ahead, then catching them up. new environments become fun and “Then we swapped and I rode rewarding rather than scarey. ahead for a few metres and waited for my friend and her horse," Karen says. Spookbust your horse “After gradually increasing the distances involved over a few weeks, Introduce new stimuli in a safe place. Jake’s confidence improved. Buy some cones, roadwork barriers, “I moved on to short hacks alone, plastic sheeting or bunting, for example, letting Jake stop and graze every so and let your horse approach them, one often if he wanted. at a time, from a distance initially. “His confidence has returned and Reward him for every step he takes I can hack him alone or in company.” towards the new object with a treat or a big lip-curling wither scratch. If you leave obstacles in the arena or around the yard, they will soon become everyday things for your horse. If he looks anxious at any point, go back where you will go. Most importantly, a step, end the session on a good note think about how relaxed you and your The memory of pain and try again the following day. horse are and how much fun you are If your horse has suffered an injury or The process cannot be rushed and having. Repeat the image in your mind been ridden in an ill-fitting , your horse must be relaxed about having for short sessions every day, before and retraining must be methodical. the saddle on before you ride him again. after you hack out. This will help break Re-introduce a (well-fitting) saddle Using step-by-step, reward-based your old nervous habits and create more over several sessions, starting with a training will pay off long term. As you positive ones. numnah. When he’s happy with this, haven’t used fear or punishment, when l Keep your hands low and soft place the saddle on his back, then add your horse encounters a new situation, and resist the urge to raise your hands the girth. Build up in stages to leading he will be far more likely to trust you if the horse jumps or spooks. H the horse in-hand with the saddle on. and your judgement. Ensure you reward with praise, a big Relax and wither scratch or a treat at every stage. Build your own confidence think positive Your horse will take a lead from you. If you are confident and give him the correct direction, he should be happy to go where you want him to, and to Dos and don'ts approach new situations. If you are Do make sure your horse can stop, nervous, he will feed on this. turn, walk, trot and canter in a safe To help you be more confident in the area, both alone or with other horses, before saddle, follow these tips:- taking him out hacking. l Stay calm – relax and think positive. Don’t ride out with people who have l If something happens that is spooky or excitable horses. Do hack out in calm, sensible company unnerving, breathe deeply and talk until you and your horse are confident slowly and calmly to your horse. Don’t hack on busy roads until you l When you ride out with friends and your horse are both confident in and they want to canter, or go along a light traffic. difficult route, don’t be afraid to say no. Do go two abreast – where it is safe l Don’t feel pressured by others who and road conditions allow it – and have think you should be progressing faster. a calm horse between you and the traffic. l Visualisation is a useful technique. Do allow your horse to dictate the Create a picture in your mind of your speed of retraining – go at his pace and perfect hack, in as much detail as you don’t rush him. can, including what you will wear and

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