Getting brave enough

[Iluvgoldies]

I would love to foxhunt someday and live in a place (Chester Co.,PA) where the sport is all over.

I have a 5 year old 15.3 wb/tb/qh cross who I bred. He is definitely coming along but has alot of work to do still.

Yet, I cannot get my head around being able to canter let alone gallop out in wide open spaces. I can deal with a little spook to the side or a 5 year old temper tantrum in my ring at the slower gaits, but I am pretty darn scared of riding at fast speeds out in the open. How do I work on this? My main fear is my horse spooking (which he does alot) and me not being able to stay on.

I have to admit its not just with this horse. I have a 16 yo tb/qh that I am afraid to do this on as well. Perhaps because some of my falls have been out in the open.

Any advice is appreciated!

[Painted_Wings]

Interstingly enough, I rarely canter in wide open spaces when I am just schooling. Have no problem with it when I am foxhunting. Oh, I admit sometimes I’m terrified in the hunt field but it’s not the same as being out alone. For one thing, in the hunt field my horse rarely spooks. When I ride alone I have had deer and turkey jump up in front of me which has resulted in an unscheduled dismount. Usually the nearby wildlife are long gone before I gallop by in the hunt field and even if they arent’ my horse feels comfort in the group and rarely misbehaves.

I suggest you find a hunt with a slow field and start there.

[Rt66Kix]

Contact the hunt to see if someone has an older horse that needs exercise. IMO, it’s insanity to take a green rider out on an inexperienced horse in the hunt field! See if you can “rent” a Steady Eddy for the season, or even for this summer. Chances are the owners would be delighted to see a semi-retired hunter back out in the field getting exercise, and the horse would be thrilled to have a job again.

I was very fortunate to get a seasoned field hunter. Buddy was terribly lame, and it took me 3 years to get him sound, but he is back hunting and loving life. There are days when his arthritis flares up, and he’s a bit slower, and also he’s a bit more maintenance to keep fit and sound. However, he gave me the precious gift of being able to hunt, and I’ll put up with some “off” days in exchange for safety and peace of mind. And if I ride him correctly, hunting is the BEST thing for his arthritis management!

As far as cantering in open spaces, I understand your fear. Right after I started riding, another one of my horses tripped and fell at a canter, and I had some nasty injuries. It took me almost a year to feel comfortable cantering again, in an arena OR out in the open. Your best bet is to get a suitable horse that can be rated and controlled easily, and go out on group trail rides with understanding people. Do short canter sets to build your confidence. Don’t be afraid to tell people your fears; don’t be afraid to let them know what it is you want to do.

I found that there are a lot of people out there that want to go slow on trail rides, for one reason or another. When I first started coming back after my accident, I found a gal who gets OTTB and retrains them for riding horses. She didn’t want to go fast; she wanted a nice, quiet, relaxing ride for the horse. So we were a good match, and I gained confidence along with her green horses.

Foxhunters are such giving people, and are so willing to help you if you ask. Everyone has to start someplace, and if you are honest and open about your desires AND fear, you will find someone to help you.

I never thought that I would be foxhunting. Never thought I’d have the courage to do it. Having the right horse is crucial, especially for your first season! Good luck.

[Beverley]

A few suggestions and thoughts:

Start by getting some speed going in the arena if you are more comfortable there! The biggest things about increasing your comfort level at high speeds are 1) your own level of physical fitness, and 2) the security of your seat and legs. Never mind style, when you are moving on uneven terrain you should be secure enough to stay solid if the horse stumbles or shies a bit. If that means that the feet go on the dashboard now and then, so be it! If it’s any consolation, at higher speeds horses tend to spook less, particularly if in a group, since they need to pay more attention to where they are putting their feet.

Once you are comfortable with LONG ‘hand gallops’ in the arena (and I’m talking working up to 8 to 10 minutes of this, without a break!), next step would be finding a schooling race or steeplechase track if one is available, if not available, look for a biggish, say 10 acres, field that you KNOW has no holes around its perimeter. Then, go gallop there. You still have a confined area so you don’t need to worry if the brakes don’t work quite as well, and this will give you more of a feel of what it’s like out hunting.

Finally, group trail rides even at slower speeds are essential to get your horse accustomed to moving in groups.

Meanwhile, do explore hilltopper groups- you CAN enjoy hunting at a slower speed!

[LookinSouth]

@Iluvgoldies;3205466

I
I have to admit its not just with this horse. I have a 16 yo tb/qh that I am afraid to do this on as well. Perhaps because some of my falls have been out in the open.

Any advice is appreciated!

If your horses are fit I suggest starting with a slow canter UP HILLS and inclines. For a long time I only wanted to canter/gallop UP HILL when out on trail because my TBX would sometimes get a little quick and he too was not always predictable & occasionally spooked (which resulted in some close calls).
IMO it’s wiser to try it when out with others if your horses are quiet in that setting. I ride out ALOT with others on very green horses and horses that have minimal trail experience.I have yet to ride with anyone that has experienced an issue when we canter up hill. The horses have to work twice as hard, YOU have more control /leverage as the rider and most horses really enjoy a canter up a hill or incline. An horse that is focused and working hard is less likely to spook at silly things. Riding on a clear cut trail will also allot you more control than riding in an open field.

[Equibrit]

Wet saddle pads. Get a friend with an older horse to go trail riding with you (for several hours and over all kinds of terrain) and keep doing it all summer. Gradually add friends and small jumps and then you’re almost there!

[wateryglen]

How about this!?

Since I think part of the problem is rider fear (been there, done that!) I say why not try de-sensitizing yourself while giving the horse the same. Find a nice field of significant size that is surrounded by non-distractions like surrounded by woods, crops, out in the open; not near barns, other animals, buildings etc. Ride him often there at the walk until he’s fairly relaxed in the center of the field. I think distance reduces fear so if there’s deer or scary monsters; they will be stirred up the first few times around. Stay away from the perimeter at first. Make some noise ie: talk or sing to your horse so he focuses on you. (I have one green filly that just LOVES…Clementine! “Oh my darlin’, oh my darlin…etc!:D) This also calms YOU down! I chatter to my fearful babies constantly when I’m out and they (actually I) feel calmer!!! :lol: Of course, once you start hunting; you’ll have to sing silently!!! :yes:
Move closer to the edges if you must. Start some short trots moving up to longer trot sets then a few bursts of a relaxed slow canter. Keep gradually increasing the slow canters so he learns that just because you’re cantering it doesn’t have to be exciting or fast. Long slow canters in a safe familiar field will teach him cantering doesn’t have to always be associated with scary and running away from scary things. When first starting I even let them graze here & there to “de-spookify” the place.
Later do this in other fields. Eventually they will calm down THEN introduce company.
I’ve always worried that if you are always in company; they are feeding off of the predator being chased fear ie: " well if HE’S scared of something; then I should be too; go faster than him so I don’t get eaten!”
Thats why I like to have them calmer at the canter before hunting them.

[LookinSouth]

@wateryglen;3207918

I’ve always worried that if you are always in company; they are feeding off of the predator being chased fear ie: " well if HE’S scared of something; then I should be too; go faster than him so I don’t get eaten!"
Thats why I like to have them calmer at the canter before hunting them.

I completely agree. IMO it’s essential for your horse to trust you when in the open alone as well as in groups. If you do go in a group make sure it is a SMALL group (1 or 2) riders and that all other horses are very quiet and extremely comfortable out in the open. This scenario will help give your horse confidence. However, if you never go out alone the horse won’t have trust in you for when scary things do come up or OTHER horses react.
If you are out with other horses or riders that are not confident and your OWN horse isn’t confident they will likely feed off each other as mentioned above; the prey instinct.

Case In Point: About a month ago a friend was riding a less confident horse in front out on trail. I was behind on my very reliable and nearly bombproof gelding. We came around a corner at a forward trot. Lead horse slammed on the brakes and spun because a hiker and his dog surprised him around the corner. My horse immediately spun AND bolted. Neither of us even SAW what the lead horse spooked at.Fortunately, he only bolted about 100ft before he stopped and realized I was saying “South! WHOA!” (In my you big baby, get over it voice). He calmly stopped and walked on forward. At which point I asked my friend if I could lead past the walker/dog because I KNOW my horse would never react that dramatically to a walker/dog. Sure enough he trotted right on by like they werent’ there and so did my friends horse.

My horse wasn’t reacting and fleeing from the dog/person. He was fleeing out of the “prey instinct” because he just saw the other horse react so dramatically. He was able to stop, face the scary thing, move forward and get over it because he trusted MY judgement. Fortunately at this point he has more confidence in me than the horse in front of him. This is why working one on one with your horse out in the open is so essential IMO as Wateryglen mentions above.

[Chall]

@Iluvgoldies;3205466

I would love to foxhunt someday and live in a place (Chester Co.,PA) where the sport is all over.

Why not visit near by foxhunt farms for some guided open-field lessons. You might be able to ride a steady-eddy to get your confidence up. Then you can bring your confidence to your horse and work on his confidence. Allerton farm is near you (West Chester) sometimes has paper chases and are down to earth. I am sure there are others. Spend a weekend day driving and visiting different places and talk to the owners and explain what you want. I am sure there are many people who want to start out in fox hunting and face exactly the same issues.
There is thread on hunter paces in this forum, maybe you can attend a chase and ask around (below is cut from someone elses post):

May 10 - Berry Patch Farm in Upperco, MD www.carrolltonhounds.org or 410-429-2965
May 26 (Memorial Day) - Lost & Found Benefit Hunter Pace 8:30am-1pm http://www.tranquillitymanorfarm.com/
July 4 - Allerton Farm paperchase FMI (610) 322-9499
Sept 1- (Labor Day) Hunter Pace 8:30am-1pm http://www.tranquillitymanorfarm.com/
Sept 28 - Upland paperchase ddamatz@aol.com" or call Phoebe Fisher 610-299-4155
Oct 5- Hunt Cap paperchase http://www.southbranchfarms.com/hchs/home.asp
Oct 19 - Cheshire paperchase 610-444-9675 or http://cheshire.ponyclub.org
Oct 26 - Kimberton Hunt http://www.kimbertonhunt.org/index.html
Nov 9 - Buck & Doe Run paperchase FMI 610-431-4539
Nov 23 - Passport paperchase http://www.berksequinecouncil.org/calendar.html

[xeroxchick]

It’s kinda weird, but I find myself doing all sorts of things in the hunt field that I just never do at home. You can get so focused on the hounds that there is no question about running through that field, jumping that ditch, etc. The other day I was picking my way slowly through a narrow wooded trail and remembered galloping through something simmilar on a hunt.
I can also remember at some point just giving in to the feeling that I “wasn’t in control.” The eventing thread on upper leval dressage taking initiative away from the horse made me think of this. I found a few horses ago that my horse actually did his job and was much better at taking care of us than if I tried to micro-ride. When we quit that tug of war he had to look, listen, stop, go etc. Much safer to let him handle it when we fly over a coop and I spy a huge hole on the other side, or if a ditch pops up suddenly when we are galloping in a field of tall grass.
My point is this, you might find that you will push past your comfort level at some point and it could be a revelation and a new level of partnership between you and your horse.
Now, do not mistake idiocy for brass ovaries! But if you have done your homework as suggested above, be willing to ask your horse to step up to the plate and handle it.
I hope this makes sense, probably not.

[LookinSouth]

@Chall;3218431

Allerton farm is near you (West Chester) sometimes has paper chases and are down to earth. I am sure there are others.

Please enlighten me. What exactly is a paper chase? Is it just another term for a hunter pace?

Thanks.

[armandh]

a few things not mentioned

a slow down hill trot to build up what you need to stop. when the gravel is chunching with every step there is some down hill braking going on. it will be there when you need it.

a saddle that keeps you glued to it. [I’ve ridden in one or two than I could not stay centered.] there are several threads on this topic. slipery decorative saddles are not a good idea. Rather; knee rolls, calf blocks and a non slipery finish. you will know it when you are saved by it. worth every $. ps the last thing you want is a broken rein when applying the breaks going down hill. inspect and replace/repair tack as needed.

[Beverley]

@LookinSouth;3218773

Please enlighten me. What exactly is a paper chase? Is it just another term for a hunter pace?

Thanks.

I believe a paper chase is a sort of mock hunt- you have different riders playing fox and hounds- the ‘fox’ leaves a trail (often paper bits, hence the name) as he/she rides ahead and the ‘hounds’ hunt by finding and following that trail.

[Chall]

[QUOTE=LookinSouth;3218773]
Please enlighten me. What exactly is a paper chase? Is it just another term for a hunter pace?

Thanks.[/QUOTE]

Yes, paper chase is similar to hunter pace. In NY, the hunter paces I’ve seen are done with a rider/s going out first and doing the course. That time becomes “the time” to make. People competiting then do the same course without knowing what the original rider’s time was. The riders/team that comes closest to the time set by the course setter wins. In the Paper chase (as described to me) the optimum time is done by averaging out the times of all the competitors (after throwing out the fastest and slowest times).
Both have options for jumping high jumps, low jumps or no jumps. Also in my area there are divisions for western riders and different divisions for hunter versus trail riders adults and children though that depends on how big the turnout is usually.