I own a 18yo BLM Mustang who has come a long way in the six years I have owned him. We are hacking out alone more and more. He gets nervous/spooky when out alone at times. Right now I am riding him until he starts getting really nervous, pushing a bit further and then turning back. He starts trying to turn around and such, so we definitely keep going until he relaxes a bit and then turn around. Any tips, tricks or suggestions?
I would avoid trails that require that you turn around. Loops are easier, when possible. If loops are not available, can you ask a friend to drive your trailer ahead to a pickup point on the trail? Pick trails that give you and your horse confidence. My horse loves trails that have walkers and children. Loose, running, dogs upset him. When we are alone, we avoid trails that routinely have out of control dogs. Bring your cell phone. Wear an Eventing safety vest and a helmet with a brightly colored cover, if it makes you feel more comfortable. I like to be visible so bicyclists and runners don’t run into me.
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Good advice by AKB, but I’d also suggest just taking him on a hike. You’re the leader, go on the same trails, but don’t saddle up. Good exercise for you and learning for him. I expect my horse when hiking to lead like we were walking around an arena, at whatever pace I set. No dawdling or pulling. I will stop and let him explore a “scary” thing, but have found he doesn’t seem to notice them as I am walking confidently ahead. Good luck!
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I second leading on the ground. When starting going out alone, because they haven’t had experience and I don’t trust them, yet, I start on the ground. I find this especially useful on trails I ride later. We just walk and walk, until horse is respectful and unconcerned. Walking past large construction equipment, finding out there’s a jerk dog that lives nearby (so I bring my larger dog so we don’t get hassled). Dealing with foxes running by, birds taking off… All of that on the ground!! When horse behaves, and I feel like I could ride the horse safely, I’ll get on. One other thing I do a lot of is back up. One trail we ride borders a large canal that someone and their horse actually fell into last year!! The currents in there are no joke! So, I don’t always have space to circle. If horse starts getting antsy on the way home, I back up. Wait, then start forward slowly. Repeat. Also, especially in the beginning, I’m not afraid to dismount. Some rides I’m mounted on the way out, then horse is getting too whatever, I’ll get off and lead home. Not worth pushing it and getting dumped in the canal. Or, I may get off, do a little groundwork, and get back on. Over time, things get better and I can ride out and back.
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All of the above are excellent pieces of advice. To expand on the “walkies”, teach your horse to ground drive at home, in the ring and then the field. Then walk him on the trail using the driving lines, walking at his head first, and then at his shoulder the next time, gradually falling further and further behind at each walk out until you are walking at his haunches with the driving lines in your hand. Use your voice to sooth and keep him calm, much as carriage drivers do. You can practice being a relaxed support as he walks along out front, becoming bolder and bolder.
It will be a good workout for you both, and he will enjoy having your company alongside.
Always have his saddle on him, plus a halter under his bridle.
Once he’s happy and reliable driving in front of you, you can start out your walk longlining, and return home sitting in the saddle.
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I agree with the leading. I did this a lot with my green mare. I’d saddle her up and we walked through puddles, thicker brush, over logs, bridges, etc. If she was relaxed I’d hop on and ride for a little bit, then lead again when she seemed to get more nervous. There’s nothing wrong with dismounting and leading them. The ground driving is a really good way to take it a step further too.
​​​​​​You can also keep his mind busy before he gets too nervous. Do serpentines, transitions, find obstacles to work on, etc. But also reward calmness when you can with a loose rein, and let him enjoy the ride.
I spent hours leading one of my young horses around the forrest and trails. We still go for “hikes” sometimes if I am with my husband or someone that doesn’t have a horse…or if I just feel like getting exercise via walking. I think that this helped both of us feel more comfortable. He’s a spooky guy, and it’s actually worse if you dismount while in a “situation” as that rattles him more. His confidence is growing and part of this is due to purely successful outings. His training in the ring helps too because he used to be a bit behind my leg, but is now more respectful of it. That caries over onto the trails. Some days I head directly to the trails (most) but occasionally I’ll ride in the ring first if he feels on edge/has a lot of energy, which is rare. Maybe ride him in the ring first, get him in good working and relaxed spot, then head out?
I choose loops and the set of trails that are close to home. I always have my cell phone.
I think he’s come to enjoy it as I was riding him to the ring the other day and he wanted to veer toward the trailhead. Which was a surprise because I thought he hated the hill work and canter sets I make him do :winkgrin:
So I’d do some leading, I’d also try for short outings and slowly increase them. The horse needs positive experiences. It sounds as though you are trying to create that. It may just be repetition. The more he goes out alone and it’s not so bad, the more he may relax.
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Thank you all for your thoughtful responses. We have started going for walks and will slowly work up to building his confidence.
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Totally agree with @gothedistance there. I taught my spooky flighty never been out of the arena Arab mare to ground drive, and being a leader rather than a follower gave her a whole new outlook on life…
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I have an 18 year old half draft, that I’ve had for nearly six years. Someone really gave him the business before I got him, giving him huge confidence issues. I’ve come a long way with him, but not long ago, I noticed his behavior begin to deteriorate and he was getting more spooky/bolt-y. I gave up on him in April in favor of my much less complicated mare. Well, the mare died from colic last week and now I have returned to working with the gelding. And we’re moving forward again at a great pace. What I believe is, you’re not a leader to be trusted/obeyed until you earn that place, and that’s by teaching the horse how to control his emotions. Not just exposing or desensitizing to specific stimuli and not by just leading them past spooky stuff. Especially with an older, possibly spoiled horse, you have to teach acceptable responses to your cues in frightening situations. What I especially learned this week is that you can’t teach it and think you’re done. An older horse with already-installed negative behaviors will never lose them. You have to keep the positive work topped up regularly or the good responses will fade. You also have to work on the correct responses to your cues long after you think the horse has “got it”. I agree with the concept of ground driving, but you can take it a step further by driving with a single rope on a halter and using and extension of your arm, like say, a whip, to control the turns. This takes the element of the bit away from both you and the horse. It makes you better at giving direction and it tends to get the horse more aware of your signals without bit anxiety.
Just TIME and wet saddle blankets. Keep at it. He’ll get better and better.
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Sing.
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