Whether you are bringing a horse into ridden work for the first time, starting out with a new horse or are on a new yard, the first hack is a milestone, but one you can pass comfortably with prior planning.
A successful first ride comes down to preparation and reducing the number of firsts the horse will experience, says specialist mindset coach Sasha Whitaker.
“The more prepared you are, the more confident you feel. That confidence, whether you’re on the ground or on the horse, has a massive impact on your horse’s confidence,” she explains.
Walking in-hand
When starting to hack a young horse, Sasha suggests you begin by getting them used to the sights, sounds and smells of the local area in-hand, but only once they know the basics.
“I wouldn’t take a young horse out if I wasn’t sure that they had confidence in me. I would want that young horse to lead politely, stop when I stop, walk when I walk, jog when I jog, turn when I turn, in an unpressured environment.”
She says she would have trained this consistently in the field or arena before walking out of the gate.
Sasha also suggests using a headcollar or halter, rather than a bitted bridle, and a long rope when leading in-hand, so that if the horse spooks, you have enough line to let some out without letting go.
The aim of these in-hand walks is to increase you and your horse’s confidence in each other, so make it as easy and safe as possible.
“Sometimes it’s nicer to work on your own quietly, but if you’re somebody that would feel more confident with having a second person with you, then that is a great idea,” says Sasha. “Or perhaps they could meet you halfway around to check everything is OK.
“However, if you do have to do it on your own for any reason, you need to make sure that somebody knows where you’re going, when you’re going to be back and know that if you don’t come back, they will come and look for you.”
First ride
The next step is riding out. If you already have a horse that’s used to going out in-hand with you and other horses, this should not be a huge step.
“Once we are ready for a ridden hack, if I’m in the fortunate position of having a friend with a sensible horse who can come along too, that’s ideal, but a lot of people don’t, so a sensible horse I can ride and lead from would be my next best thing,” advises Sasha. “To prepare for that, I would train the ride and lead in the manège or in a field or somewhere that the horse knows before the hack.
“Ideally, I would have that first ride in a slightly enclosed place, such as a quiet lane, where the horse can follow, rather than an open space. The safer you feel, the more likely you are to do a good job because you’re more relaxed.”
Sasha explains that the trick with a young horse is putting as many checks and balances in as you can, and reducing the firsts. So, for instance, if you’re having to box out somewhere because you don’t have a quiet road nearby, ensure you’re not boxing them for the first time.
“It’s all down to the basics. If they know stop, start, left, right and how you expect them to react, then it’s easier for them to trust you in that new and uncertain environment,”
she explains.
New horse, new yard
According to Sasha, the same principles apply to taking a new horse out or riding in a new place. Keep it simple — to boost your confidence and that of your horse — and ensure you don’t pile too many new experiences on together.
“With a new rider and in a new environment, a horse can be more nervous than it was in its home environment and that first ride may not be as smooth as you’re expecting it to be. Horses are flight animals. When they have undergone a period of change, they are likely to be more flighty.
“It’s really important before you do any work on the roads that your horse understands what’s required of them. I would do the groundwork again to make sure they stop, start, turn left and turn right with me, because there is no guarantee that those ground manners will have been put into that new horse.”
A period of in-hand hacking may be sensible. The best idea is then to hack out with a friend whose horse is relaxed and confident.
“What won’t be helpful is if you hack out with a friend who is on a nervous or spooky horse, as that will just feed any anxiety that your horse has got,” cautions Sasha.
Solo hacks
You can prepare your horse for solo hacks by taking the lead on rides to see how your horse reacts and if they are likely to be anxious when ridden alone.
“If you have any issues when you try your first solo hack, such as the horse not wanting to leave the yard or being spooky, I would lead them out of the yard on foot and get on later in the hack, so you’re giving the horse the confidence that they can see you again on the ground. If that doesn’t work, I’d take them out alone in-hand and build their confidence that way,” advises Sasha.
You need to feel safe
“The safer you feel, the safer you make everything,” states Sasha — and that starts with ensuring you always wear a riding helmet and gloves when riding or exercising your horse in-hand.
“If you feel safe, the more confident you behave, and the more confident the horse is in your decision-making process. That’s the biggest part of working with your horse. If you are nervous, the horse knows you’re nervous and that puts them on high alert.
“So, whatever you’re doing, feel that you’ve rehearsed the majority of it. Then you know that everything is smooth before you try it.”
And finally, if you are still nervous, Sasha suggests getting the help of a rider psychologist to help you through your nerves. Because at the end of the day, hacking is supposed to be fun — and you, as well as your horse, should enjoy it.
Sasha Whitaker is a BHS Intermediate Instructor and Centre 10 Advanced Coach based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, with specialist skills in performance mindset.
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